Having Bible knowledge and understanding is great, however if the scriptures are not living and active in our lives, it is all in vain (Hebrews 4:12-13). The life application selections contain thoughts provoking, real life challenges that will prayerfully transform us to be more like Jesus in our spiritual journey. James 1:23-27 challenges us to not just merely listen or read the scriptures, it says “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” Do not miss your blessings my friends!
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
Envy (jealousy) - Oxford dictionary
A feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck. desire to have a quality, possession, or other desirable attribute belonging to (someone else).
Selfish ambition - dictionary.com
Devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.
Miriam-Webster.com
Synonyms for SELFISH: egocentric, narcissistic, egotistic, egomaniacal, solipsistic, egotistical, self-centered, etc.
How are things going in your life? Do you find yourself in disorder? Do you find that no matter how successful you are there is always a longing for more? Or no matter what you do the results are not what you hope for? Take some time today to assess your heart and mind and see if there is any possibility that you are operating in the spirit of envy or selfish ambition. Maybe that's why your life might be in disorder and your decisions might be leading you toward evil practice instead of Holy practice according to the words of God. Let's remember, ambition is different from selfish ambition. To have ambition to accomplish goals and dreams in your life is not a sin but the motive that inspires or drives you to the ambition can lead to selfish ambition. Allow God’s compass to guide your heart and attitude and watch his power transform your life of disorder to serenity.
Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
As I study James chapter three which I have read on numerous occasions, I felt this heavy burden. I started pondering how we use our tongue for many good purposes in our lives, yet if we are not careful, this important/special sense can lead us to eternal fire. How do we avoid using our tongue to produce " a world of evil"? Jesus, in Luke 6:43-45, tells us what we store inside of our heart will be the result of our speech. I have heard this statement as a young child that resonates with me, it takes seconds/minutes to make a mistake, but it takes a lifetime to fix it. The words that we speak matter. Our salvation depends on them. Let us think about how we can use our tongue wisely. That is why scriptures say, "For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” Mathew 12:37. Let's be more intentional on how we used our tongue.
You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
Jesus wrote this stern rebuke to address the heart and mindset of the Laodicea church. This scripture is very much applicable to our lives today. Jesus is reminding us that being rich in this world can easily lead us to worship our position in life and disregard the God who provides the "rich and affluent" life that we live. Are you in a position where you feel that you have reached the top and are in no need? Has your success become the focal point of your life? The scripture above is a reminder if our lives are not God focused, we are doomed for eternal disappointment.
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal rock.
As you read this scripture, you might be experiencing a difficult trial where you are discouraged and feel defeated. You might find yourself saying, why am I not in perfect peace when I trust in God? This passage makes me think of the story in Mathew 14: 22-33 when Peter walked on water. The scripture says Peter got down and walked on water but when he lost his focus on Jesus and started focusing on the wind that is when he started sinking. The question we need to ask ourselves during the difficult times in our lives is, who or what are our thoughts fixed on?
A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.
Do you often find yourself offended by others’ opinions, thoughts, and actions? For me, there was a time in my life when the answer would have been a resounding yes, I do get offended often by others. Through many mistakes and trials in my life, Jesus through the Holy Spirit has allowed me to grow in this area. There was a time in my life, pleasing people and people liking me was highly important for my self-esteem and self-worth. I struggled with this burden for many years in my spiritual journey. I said Jesus is my Lord/Shepherd and I profess to believe that I lack nothing (Psalm 23:1), yet internally I was consumed by others’ opinions, thoughts and actions toward me.
When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
Who and what do you turn to as you face hardship in your life? Every solution that is offered by our society is temporary. Oftentimes, most solutions that the world offers to our problems are conditional. God is the only solid and genuine solution to all our hardships without any condition. Whether we messed up or misused his solutions or blessings, he still loves us and seeks a relationship with us. When God is on your side your situations have no power over you. If you have not done so, cry out to the Lord and watch him deliver and set you up to win. Your spacious place will not just be on earth but in his eternal kingdom.
