greed

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Enjoying The Gifted Life Part Two

April 3, 2024March 13, 2024 krisshetter

Did you miss part one? Go to Enjoy Life: From Meaningless to Meaningful

I heard a pastor recently talking about our wants and needs related to our prayer life. How we try to manipulate God into approving our behaviors. We mask our sinful desires by praying for prosperity yet have no plans to serve the kingdom with gifts, or we do so meagerly. We pray for the right house to purchase and won’t open our homes to our church needs. A better car, a good vacation, a husband or wife, a job, or even children. And all along we don’t ever plan to surrender all those over for God’s holy work. Or we make a deal with God to get what we want knowing full well we won’t uphold our side of the bargain.

"And he (Jesus) said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15

False “needs” and empty prayers. They lead to greed and coveting. It all comes down to not trusting in God for our provisions. And not being good stewards of what we have been gifted. We tell God over and over what He needs to do for us. If He doesn’t perform that particular miracle then darn it, we are going to make it happen for our ourself. Or worse, reject God.

"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.  Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore, let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. " Ecclesiastes 5:1-3

Let your words be few, King Solomon warns us. With few words yes, but with listening ears. The Bible tells us to come before the Lord with our requests. However, night after night, morning after morning we roll out our list of wants and needs. Do we ever ask God if those are what He wants for us? Imagine a relationship here on earth like that. Your friend is constantly complaining about what she or he doesn’t have and what they want. And they never, ever stop talking (sounds like a toddler!). Our prayer life and quiet times with the Lord are supposed to be a two-way street! Not a drive-through ordering system.

In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words, than words without a heart.
John Bunyan

A few weeks ago I read an account by Christian teacher Kay Arthur about the night, at 29 years of age, that she was truly saved. “I’d been at a party. The only thing I remember about that night was that a man named Jim looked at me and said, “Why don’t you quit telling God what you want and tell Him that Jesus Christ is all you need?” His words irritated me. “Jesus Christ is not all I need,” she replied. My reply was curt. “I need a husband, I need a…” and one by one I enumerated my needs. I turned my heel and went home.”

Her family was very religious but the Bible had not been a central part of her life. She went to church but no one had ever asked her if she had been saved. She hadn’t realized going to church and being a “good Christian” weren’t the keys to salvation. She knew her sins were obvious and she was in deep spiritual and emotional pain. The next day after that party, she couldn’t face going to work and called in sick. She found herself at the edge of her bed crying out to God for a healing of peace. She discovered the God who provides, the God who heals. She gave her wants and needs completely over to Him to purge and refine.

Are you constantly making a list of all the things you expect God to do for you? Yet don’t plan on obeying and serving Him? Are you usurping His authority over your life and building up all your stuff to fill yet another room or another storage unit rather than re-gifting your blessings to His Kingdom? King Solomon starkly tells us this is all so meaningless. In his study of this life, he ends chapter 5 reminding us everything we have is of God — gifts from heaven to be used and enjoyed accordingly.

^“Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart."  Ecclesiastes 5:19-20

The apostle Paul carries this theme of God as our great provider throughout the epistles. Setting our sights not on stuff but on the Lord. More importantly, setting our hearts to the heavens.

“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:12-13

Is it time to do your own room-by-room inventory? An inventory of your prayer life? An inventory of the room of your heart? Maybe it’s time to give, give, give. And to quietly listen for His Word so He can set you on the path to enjoyment. For when you do, our Lord and Savior has promised us, “for with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Enjoying A Gifted Life

April 1, 2024April 7, 2024 krisshetter

Ecclesiastes Five Part One

About four years ago a few friends and I gathered together to start a new Bible study group. We selected the book, Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be, by Donna Partow. It was a 90-day study on the Proverbs 31 woman. After tackling such topics as meditating on God’s Word, creating healthy, godly habits, and family relationships we were asked to declutter our lives. The scriptures for Day 31 were from Luke 3:11; 6:38

"And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunicsis to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”… (Jesus said) give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

It was the beginning of journey of freedom. Freedom from clutter, freedom from hoarding, and freedom from stuff. We were to sit in each room of our house and quietly meditate and pray about what the room spoke to us. Was it chaos? Was it peaceful? Was it full of stuff that brought us joy or shame?

“The key to minimizing clutter and keeping an orderly home is a resolute commitment to give away everything you can. Give, give, give! Give until it hurts.”
Donna Partow, Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be

This sentiment is echoed by John Wesley’s sage advice to “Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can.” Why? Because as King Solomon reminds us all in Ecclesiastes 5, you can’t take it with you.

"As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand." Ecclesiastes 5:15

And we can’t forget from Ecclesiastes 3, there’s “a time to keep and a time to throw away…” (v 6)

According to Pew Research, in 2013 the average global annual household income was $9,733. In the United States that number was $51,939. Poor Americans were actually classified as global middle class. And only 2% of all Americans could classify as “globally poor.” The good news in 2019 however, was that the United States, according to the World Giving Index, ranks first in charitable giving. But the second ranked? It was Myanmar, considered to be on the lower-middle income scale. Researchers surmise this stark difference in income to charitable giving is due to the large population of Theravada Buddhists for whom frequent acts of giving are the norm.

So yes, the majority of Americans are wealthy from a global perspective and we give and give. But we also hoard. About 10% of US households are currently renting a storage unit filled with stuff. In 2019, a survey found the average American spent $18,000 per year on non-essential goods. That’s twice the annual income on average globally! One unconfirmed statistic said we have more than 300,000 items in our home by average. That’s a lot of stuff. And you have to ask, why?

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6: 6-10

And while many of our bank accounts don’t show a lot of money, our homes sure do. So, when we were asked to sit in each room and evaluate the atmosphere, it brought out a number of uncomfortable feelings. The stuff that had accumulated was embarrassing and not bringing my family much enjoyment. It reminded me of when I would visit my husband’s grandmother’s house and think, “When she’s gone who is going to have to go through all this stuff?” She hoarded all manner of paper goods and supplies. When my mother-in-law was in her last days, I truly appreciated one of her last requests of me and my eldest daughter – to start cleaning out clothes closets and freezers before she was gone. She didn’t want her husband to have to deal with it all later.

There is more than one way to be rich and more than one way to be poor. If we accept His gifts, but complain about them we are guilty of ingratitude. If we hoard His gifts and will not share them with others, we are guilty of indulgence. But if we yield to His will and use what He gives us for His glory, then we can enjoy life and be satisfied.
Warren Wiersbe, Be Satisfied

Our ability to have an income and even a “disposable” income are gifts from God. We turn so much of what we buy into “needs.” I’m just as guilty. Because even though I did a great job de-cluttering my home during that study I’ve noticed the stuff has gathered steam again in my house.

What is this need we have, especially those of us in wealthy western countries, to turn to stuff to satisfy? To find our joy in hoarding money and possessions? To build up bank accounts for the distant future? We need to feel secure that the nest egg is the right size – even though the right size never seems big enough. We need our freezers and refrigerators full, our garages and closets stuffed. We need, we need. Once while driving through our neighborhood my eldest daughter, who was about 8 years old, commented on an open, three-car garage. “I’m glad we don’t have two garage doors,” she said. And I asked, “Why?” “Because that would mean we would need more junk,” she sagely replied. Oh, the wisdom of innocence.

I believe one reason so many Christians in America are apathetic is they don’t really believe they need God. They have replaced Him with their estate planner and retirement fund. I’m not implying we should ignore planning for the future and, in effect, presume on God. But when you cling to your possessions and live in fear of not having them, you ignore the Holy Spirit’s leading and put your confidence in your wealth instead of God.
John MacArthur

Ouch! Imagine if you would, before buying anything — and I mean anything – we have a short chat with the Lord. “Do I truly need this?” “Will this help me live in the fruit of the spirit?” “Am I buying this because I think I deserve it?” “Is this financial decision made in trusting You?” I would probably buy less potato chips and therefore be treating my body as a better steward! I believe this is what it means to pray without ceasing. We are in constant contact with the Lord even in the grocery store, but especially when it comes to bigger wants and needs. A prayer life rich in listening and trusting God so that we can be good stewards of our blessings and gifts. Asking God to help us truly enjoy the riches He bestows on us — that’s what I want to seek each and every day.

Join me on Wednesday for Part Two of our look at Ecclesiastes 5, Enjoying The Gifted Life! Click here for part two.

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Enjoy Being Set Apart Part Two

March 27, 2024March 27, 2024 krisshetter

Missed part one? Go to emboldened.net/2024/03/25/enjoying-being-set-apart/

I recently was listening to a teaching on the Good Samaritan. It’s such a popular and well-known parable that it’s become an axiom. In some cases, even the title of laws. In many states in the United States, “good samaritans” are protected from lawsuits if they’ve provided physical aid but an additional injury may have occurred as a result of that help (ie a person giving CPR fractures a person’s rib). For many believers and non-believers this story represents “being nice” or acting kindly to others. Jesus, however, throughout His time on earth spoke basically about only two things: God and His Kingdom. So, it’s important, however familiar we may be with the parable, to know why the story was told. It starts with this interaction:

"On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ "Luke 10:25-27

Now let’s look at what was happening. This lawyer was testing Jesus. Maybe he wanted Jesus to say, “Follow me.” This would have been heretical for the Jew. Instead, Jesus points him back to God’s Word. Notice the man fully counts himself a wonderful, loving person in his own eyes. He believes he uniquely and fully loves God with all his heart, mind and soul. There’s apparently no chance he has failed at this overwhelming task. Instead, he wants to parse out the requirements by then asking Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”

“‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly….“‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 19: 17 & 33-34

The Old Testament religious Jewish leaders had come to define (erroneously) their “neighbors” as those in their own circle. People exactly like them. That allowed them to hate anyone else — other Jews who they deemed unworthy such as tax collectors and then gentiles. They turned “love your neighbor as yourself” into “love your neighbor and hate your enemies.”

Some might say they were justified. I mean God did call on them to eliminate entire groups of people. But biblical scholars will clarify those particular groups actively hated God and sinned in abominable ways against Him. Murderous cultures, child sacrifices, rampant sexual immorality, pillaging and raping innocent people year after year after year. God also had warned them for hundreds of years. They all knew of the God of Abraham and Jacob — as witnessed by the likes of Rahab from Jericho. (Joshua 2:9-13) So, when Israel was directed to take action it was God’s justice, not personal justice. Each man was directed throughout Deuteronomy and Leviticus to treat the foreigner as themselves. Personal vendettas were against the Law. And still the religious leaders contorted God’s Word.

Jesus upends their well-worn, twisted morality by exposing the lack of compassion by the “righteous” versus the godly love by an “outsider” or even enemy. This parable wasn’t about acts of kindness, rather it highlights our sinful tendencies to divide and hate those on the other side of that divide. That hatred and the distortion of God’s Word leads us in the opposite direction the Jewish lawyer wanted to go. It’s not heaven he will find with a dark heart. Jesus allows the lesson to sink in; the lesson of reminding believers that He sets us apart from the world to do something unthinkable and difficult. To love others and show mercy as God loves us.

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”  Luke 10:36-37

Friend, in God’s world, the world of eternal life, envy, hatred, greed, and jealousy, have no place. It didn’t during King Solomon’s time seen in Ecclesiastes 4 and it doesn’t now. True justice for the oppressed and downtrodden is not equity or retroactive punishment or even self-flagellation. It’s love. It’s the kind of love that looks different than the world. It says, “Let me help you out of sin.” It gives all that it can and doesn’t hoard the blessings we’ve been given. It looks hatred in the eye and says, “God loves you too.” It stops and, without care for itself, gives compassion. It protects the weak and helpless. It overflows with mercy and forgiveness. It’s a love that hates only one thing — the hatred of God — yet still prays for that person. It helps us see we are all needy sinners who disobey the Lord regularly and we thank God He abounds in mercy.

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  But if you show favoritism,you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it....Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.  James 2: 8-13

We are all, no matter our worldly status, guilty of not loving enough. Not forgiving enough. Not being people of grace. It’s not just to the faceless who we think have wrong us but to those in our church, in our home, in our neighborhood. It is our constant striving for the one and only thing that makes life meaningful that will bring us eternal life – our joyful obedience to the God who loves us.

When we seek personal justice or vengeance let’s remember the Apostle Paul. Remember the evil that lived in him and the terrible acts he oversaw. Then look to your Bible and see not only God’s mercy but the mercy and forgiveness he was granted by his fellow Christian Jews and gentiles. There is always hope in God’s plan for someone (like us) to turn their meaningless, oppressive life into something oh so meaningful.

When I was researching Ecclesiastes 4, I was led to reflect on my experience with Tom. You remember him? The one who hated women. The Holy Spirit convicted me. I have long, quietly harbored ill-will toward him. For making my life difficult during a stressful time. For hating an entire “type” of people. Suddenly I realized I was just as guilty. I was not loving my enemy, my oppressor. That realization brought me to tears of joy. Knowing our good God is constantly working in our hearts to prune us in ways we didn’t realize needed work. That act, alone, made that day so meaningful.

Ask Him today to reveal any hidden sins, especially of hatred, envy, oppression, vengeance, and jealousy. Then thank Him for the revelation and mercy. Enjoy the moment where you have been set free once again.

For more on Pastor John MacArthur’s sermon concerning the dangers and false teaching in our churches on social justice, go to https://www.gty.org/library/articles/45SJ

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The Wobbly Rock

June 21, 2023June 21, 2023 krisshetter

It always seems to start with just one bite, one taste, one look, one try. We soon find ourselves groaning in disbelief that we ate it all again. Did the one thing we were working so hard to avoid, again. Disappointed someone again. Backslid, again. The world wants to blame Adam for this problem but it was Eve who started us down this ugly path of weakness, self-gratification and indulgence.

To be fair, it was who she decided to put her trust in that caused the Great Fall. Two parties working in concert– Satan and Eve’s pridefulness– to disobey God’s command that fateful day led us to where we are today. Adam, that poor soul, had a two-against-one situation convincing him all was well. Of course, it was really two-on-two if Adam had simply spoke God’s name and asked for help. God’s omnipotence would have been the finger pressed heavily on the scale for Adam and Eve to turn from the fruit in question.

But because they both placed their trust in what pastor John Ortberg calls, “a wobbly rock,” we find ourselves repeating a version of the world’s first story each day. Pastor Ortberg, describes this wobbly rock like the one he decided to put his trust in one day while crossing a stream. It looked secure and rooted in the soil. As he leapt on it the rock gave way and into the water he went. Resulting in numerous injuries. And the question today is, “what wobbly rock are you placing your trust in?”

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.  2 Timothy 3:1-5

I suppose we should ask, are we such people Paul is warning against? In C.S. Lewis’ essay on the three kinds of men he describes the first type of man as one who lives totally for themselves without any acknowledgement of a higher being who will pass judgment on them or have any expectations of them. For this person, the idea of self-control is based on the whim of the day. “I should” or “I shouldn’t” enter their vocabulary based on family, social group or society’s expectations. This person places their trust in a shifting set of rules based on new emotions, facts, and desires. Today’s “well done” is tomorrow’s regret not because of eternal judgment but because the rules have changed.

The second person is one which Mr. Lewis says most of society reflects. They know they should live a certain way and sincerely try to do so but only after they have first ensured their own security and happiness. They believe in that higher power. Maybe even call him God or Jesus. These are Adams and Eves. They’ve experienced God in some way. But are divided in where they put their full trust. They give to their church or charities but only as leftovers. They stand up for the higher power as long as it doesn’t cost them much. They are drawn to wanting to fit in with the latest views on sexuality and morality while at the same time knowing the Truth of God’s Word. They call their faith “personal” and wouldn’t dream of sharing it. They “do the right thing” because they think they have to or else God might be angry. Or to gain favor with God. Their self-control still stems from their own will, but gets a nice dose of god-guilt on top when they fail to meet what they think God wants from them. A wobbly rock to be sure.

Many times, however we take it on ourselves to define what’s good for us, and we can be tempted to doubt God for disagreeing with us.”
Charles Stanley

Doesn’t that sound exactly like Adam and Eve? Their self-control lasted only as long as something sounded a bit better or reasonable. Satan didn’t erase God from their minds. No, he took God’s words and twisted them in such a way that fed their gift of self-will. I can only imagine the guilt and shame they must have felt as they packed up their fig leaves, a few bags of grain and fruit, and passed from the Garden gates. From that day forth they probably tried really hard to do the right thing yet knew they were weak and could easily backslide into self-gratification. It sounds like them, but does it also sound like you?

Before we look at the third man in Mr. Lewis’ essay, I have a task for you. Pastor Ortberg recommends taking this personal inventory to find out, with honesty, where we sit with God. Are we relying on a wobbly rock which either leads us to temporary self-control or a self-control done with a “I have to” attitude? This isn’t a confession to God, just inventory-taking. No guilt, no correction, just a self-examination. Be fearless and searching, remembering God loves you.

Pride: Is ego ever on the throne in my life? Self-promotion, selfishness, sense of entitlement? Lack of being a servant?
Anger: Where is there resentment in me? Where are the obsessive thoughts that want to strike out all the time? Have I gotten physically violent or just withdrawn
Sexuality: Are there decisions I have made around my sexual behavior where I feel regret or guilt? Have I been unfaithful? Are there patterns of addiction, sexual pornography? Have I crossed lines in relationships? Have I been the victim of sexual assault or molestation?
Envy: Do I ever compare myself to other people – appearance, career, family, bank account?
Gluttony: Do I use food as a way to escape or isn’t good for my body? Or are there other appetites that would lead my body down the wrong path?
Sloth: Not just a lack of activity but is there a failure to do what needs to be done? Do I ever procrastinate with things that have high value?
Greed: Do I ever hoard? Am I gripped by a false sense of financial insecurity? Do I not manage finances well? Do I give the way God would want me to?

Remember, after you have completed this searching about where you lack in self-control or have placed your trust, if you are a follower of Jesus, God will lead you out of any guilt or shame. Turn to Him, for He is the God who restores.

Coming Up: To Be The 3^rd Man

Abundance

November 26, 2021November 29, 2021 krisshetter

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When the dew settled on the camp at night, the manna also came down.  Numbers 11:9

There’s a lot of chaos in the world these days creating havoc in so many lives. But if we were to breakdown the situation into two basic schools of thought we’d probably arrive at the concepts of scarcity and abundance. On one side you have people who believe everything in the world is limited. Limited natural resources, limited finances, limited opportunities, limited food, limited education, and on and on. On the other you have the concept of abundance. That we are limited only by our will to seek, create, build, gather, harvest, and more.

God created a world teeming with abundance. He has always provided and will always provide. That’s not to say we don’t need to share in that abundance but rather we should live in the mindset of what we are given is 1) from God and 2) enough.

“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life  does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 1:14

When we think of the gift of abundance from God, we can be swayed by the world into attributing it to “stuff.” How much stuff, money, food, etc we have. We will see that unfold today with Black Friday stories of fighting and grasping for more of that “stuff.” But in God’s world abundance is to be shared. Whether we are blessed by money, talents, love, possessions, and more God is always asking us to give freely and abundantly just like Him.

The concept of scarcity entered the biblical story when Pharaoh was worried about the drought and famine. He greedily began gathering up all the grains and animals for himself. He worried he wouldn’t have enough. And throughout the Bible we read stories of people, like the prince who approached Jesus to become one of his disciples, who cannot open their treasure stores because of their fears of scarcity.

These conflicting world views are sometimes used to say Jesus is a socialist. But that twists the message of the Bible. A government which forcibly takes from one people (who they deem having too much abundance) and gives it to others (who they deem are not able to live abundantly) is acting out of that scarcity mindset. Jesus always wants our heart. He is powerful enough to demand it but wants it freely.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” Matthew 6:25

When I see young people on the streets screaming for the rich to “pay their fair share” it really saddens me. What is a “fair share?” Who has determined what someone is “owed?” Who has determined what is “enough?” All that comes from a belief there isn’t enough. But God has created a world of amazing abundance. There will always be those that have more and those who have less. The only person we owe anything to is Jesus. And when we thank Him for His abundant love for us we should be spurred to share in all that He has given us.

bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

Wheat or Chaff

October 10, 2020October 9, 2020 krisshetter

Before I sat down to write this final word on the Book of James, I re-read through the five chapters and my highlighted notes. What struck me was how perfectly James’ words speak to the state of our current world. In February 2020, as news of the Covid19 virus started coming in from around the world we didn’t think too much about it. Another type of flu, meh. And suddenly March was upon us. Our lives were shutdown. Justified or not, our businesses closed, so many allowed fear to grip them into locking themselves in their homes, we ran out of toilet paper, our churches stopped welcoming us into their doors, and we watched rioters burn down cities. Some of us turned away from God and others of us ran toward Him.

I told my husband the other day how amazingly well spoken the disciples were. I think the tendency to think back to “ancient times” may lead us to think they weren’t as smart as us because we value “knowledge” over “wisdom.” In this short five-chapter letter, James’ gifts shine through. He is eloquent when using the metaphors of ships and rudders and forest fires and small sparks when speaking of our waggling and dangerous tongues. He turns into a great debater when providing facts about not showing favoritism and how the famed among us are typically the ones who take advantage of us. He is a fiery preacher when scolding us to submit and resist the devil. And a faithful servant reminding us to reach out to God for any and all needs.

I read an introduction to a Bible study on James once that said, “Unlike most books of the New Testament, the letter of James is best known for the people who don’t like it. People like love. They like Christ. They don’t like James.” But isn’t that the very reason this letter needed to be written? Before we are thrown into a crisis like the year 2020, before we face off with the devil, before we walk out the door to deal with unhappy, non-believers, James wants to shake us awake. To give us the tools to stand firm in the face of adversity. To be God’s faithful lights for the world. When I read James, I think of this letter as one for us everyday people. It’s a workshop full of concrete “how to’s.” There’s nothing wishy washy or confusing about James.

In the midst of the trials of the last few months, how many of us have considered it “pure joy?” (James 1:2) When out for our evening walk the other day, I told my husband how much I have appreciated what has happened. It forced me to slow down and stop fretting over filling up my daily schedule. My house got really clean. We turned to each other for loving support more than ever. We became a team and God was our head coach. I’ve been blessed to spend more time with a particular friend than I wouldn’t normally as she goes through a divorce. My BSGs (Bible study girls) started meeting in January. Two of whom I only slightly knew. We are now prayer warriors for each other. I asked my husband what positive things have come out of this for him – in the face of a very difficult work situation. He said he’s realized who he can really rely on.

I’ve learned how to be humble. I’ve learned to listen to people who have fears that I don’t have and show them grace. That person driving alone in their car with a full double breather mask pushes me to pray for them to find peace rather than make fun of them. Because that is what the Word tells us (James 1:23).

The destruction caused by favoritism, hating our neighbor, people lacking in mercy and those living in greed fills our daily news. People wanting to burn small businesses because they feel their needs are greater. Rioters standing with bullhorns yelling all night into homes because their view of the world comes first. Employees and businesses “gaming the system” to get more of the money distributed to help those struggling makes me want to cry. And, I can still picture a couple at Home Depot filling their pick-up truck to its fullest with toilet paper and laughing about it. (James 2:8, 13, 3:16, 4:17, 5:2).

And if we looked hard enough, we saw churches helping their communities by doing food drives and people volunteering to help at Food Banks. We saw neighbors supporting each other. We saw churches fighting to stay open and serve their flocks. I saw people like Christian worship leader Sean Feucht gathering people by the 100s to pray and worship God outside – at parks, at beaches, on the streets. I saw friends get on their knees and fully surrender to God. (James 2:8, 14,4:7, 5:19)

In the United States, we are going through an important presidential election. I’ve stood at street corners supporting a candidate while the opposing side hurls hatred and curse words at me. All the while they hold signs telling me to have more compassion and to love certain races. (James 3:9). I’ve watched candidate debates where the lies are piled up not only by the candidate but by the debate moderator and then by the media. All in order to disguise the true platform of the candidate. Their yes has not meant yes and their no has not meant no. (James 5:12)

I’ve said to others that this time seems unprecedent. And this letter of James seems very prescient. There is a sifting going on. Have we chosen to surrender and submit to God? (James 4:7). Have we thrown up all our worries, our hurts, our sins to God or are we taking them out on others? (James 5:13-16) Are we working to build up our brothers and sisters in Christ or are we fighting with them? (James 5:19)

Will we finally surrender it all to God?

James makes it clear, without a lot of flowery prose, as to the destruction we humans can wrought without our eyes firmly on God. The question is, will we listen and do or will we deceive ourselves?

Thank you for joining me on this journey through James. I look forward to you joining me with my next series called, “Living Amazed through Jesus” beginning November 1.