by Beth Fore
Who is wise and understanding
among you? Let him show it
by his good life, by deeds done
in the humility that comes from
wisdom. But if you harbor bitter
envy and selfish ambition in your
hearts, do not boast about it or deny
the truth. Such “wisdom” does not
come down from heaven but is
earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For
where you have envy and selfish
ambition, there you find disorder
and every evil practice. But the
wisdom that comes from heaven
is first of all pure; then peace-
loving, considerate, submissive,
full of mercy and good fruit,
impartial and sincere.
Peacemakers who sow
in peace raise a harvest
of righteousness.
(James 3:13-18 NIV)
Just A Closer Walk with God
Father, as I meditate on Your Word today,
I understand that You alone know the path I will take.
I ask for Your wisdom, insight, and discernment
as I submit my will to Yours in the decisions I make.
Give me complete trust and faith in You, Father,
as You walk with me on this journey today.
Give me Your power, strength, and faithfulness
as Your Holy Spirit guides me to follow Your Way.
Help me to live this life as an exciting adventure
looking forward to the delights and sorrows that lie ahead.
Help me to live life fearlessly and expectantly
as I submit wholly to You and follow where I am led.
Keep my eyes and mind focused on You, Father,
so that Satan’s deceitful lies don’t lead me astray.
Transform me into the likeness of Your Son, Jesus,
so that in every thought and deed I will seek to obey.
Use me as Your vessel to bring honor and glory to You,
so that others will know You and offer you praise.
Shower me with Your spiritual blessings, Father,
and walk closely beside me for all of my days.
written by Beth Fore
*A wise person demonstrates wisdom by living a good life and by doing good deeds which are done in humility.
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” (James 3:13 NIV)
A wise person lives a good life and says and does good deeds for others in humility. Humility is a trait that pleases God very much, though it is not often esteemed by mankind. The desire to good for other people without being recognized, praised, or rewarded for it is a sign of an humble person. A Christian lives his life so that he can bring honor, glory, and praise to God, not to himself.
A humble person serves God and other people for their benefit, not for his own benefit. He recognizes that the gifts and material things he has come from God, and he is grateful and thankful to God for them. So, a wise person is not seeking acclaim, or fame, or attention when he does kind deeds for others. He wants to be sure that Almighty God receives the honor and glory for any good that he may do to other people.
*A wise person understands that the most important relationship he will ever have is with God, and he will seek to draw closer to God through prayer, studying the Bible, listening to the voice of God, and trusting in Him completely.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)
A person who desires to have an intimate relationship with God asks God for wisdom, understanding, and discernment. He wants to trust God and rely on Him to determine what is good for his life. He asks for God’s power, strength, and faithfulness and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help him do God’s will.
He desires to live a life of adventure, delighting in the surprises God has in store for his life. He asks God to be with him as he walks in the valleys, on the plains, and upward to the mountaintops.
The person desiring a good relationship with God wants to stay focused on Christ and to become more like him each day. He wants to be good like Christ, live like Christ, and be a light and beacon to the people living in sin and darkness.
*Peacemakers please God, and they enjoy a much happier relationship with God and with other people than those people who sow discord.
“Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:18 NIV)
God calls his children to be peacemakers in the world. When we maintain peace and harmony with other people, everyone is happier and kinder and more like Christ. The fruit that comes from sowing peace is a fruitful crop of goodness and righteousness. God blesses the peacemakers.
APPLICATIONS
- Examine yourself and your motives for doing good things for other people. Is your motive to give God the honor and glory, or do you desire the praise and recognition for yourself?
- Spend time studying, meditating, and praying about humility. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you look for ways to give honor and glory to God for the good things you do for others.
- Write down a list of things you may already do, or that you can begin doing, to show that you are really giving the decisions and choices of your life over to God, rather than worrying over them yourself.
- Are you a peacemaker or a troublemaker? How can you improve your behavior toward others so that they think of you as a peacemaker?
If you want to learn more about how to become a Christian, click this link: https://wowwnlbi.wordpress.com/what-it-means-to-follow-jesus-how-to-become-a-christian/
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