Prayer becomes a lifeline, and the only way we get through the day. So that when happiness comes, we’ve made such a habit of looking to him in our circumstances that the praise of our hearts toward Heaven is a natural response to His goodness.
Being a good steward of the time you have here on earth means you are responsible for each moment you’ve been given. So what does that look like here in our fast-paced, hectic world?
So many of us struggle to overcome our inclinations to gossip, criticize, and judge. God not only desires better from us, he commands it. Let’s humbly confess our shortcomings in this area and ask for the grace and integrity we need to be life-speakers both to and about others.
In walking humble, we get to walk closely to the One who forgives, who cleanses, who heals, who restores. We get to walk closely to the ultimate Victor over all of the powers of darkness within us and around us.
The beauty of His ways… when He is so real and so big to me that I need no other thing, person, job, money, fame, to satisfy me… well, then I am free. Free to love people. Free to chase dreams. Free to stand for justice. And free to be a champion of grace.
The book of James declares that we are at war because we want what others have, when we really need to be looking to God as the source of all that we want or need.
Lust, greed, jealousy, envy, addiction to pleasure… they’re all powerful tendencies, but none of them is a bigger problem than the tongue. So, often, the pathway to mastering those challenges is to overcome the bigger challenge first – the tongue.
How’s your faith working for you? If you say you’re a believer, but you don’t demonstrate an increasing obedience to and dependence on God, do you really believe what you say you believe about God?
If you’re paying attention at all, I don’t have to tell you our world is hurting. Our churches are divided and struggling to find their footing. And yet this scripture is so clear. Love people – all people – regardless of their economic status, race, skin color, preferences, or struggles.
When you speak harshly of others, unfairly criticize, use slurs or degrading words, or spread gossip, you’re merely giving evidence that the well (your heart) is full of tainted water. Everyone you could possibly talk about is a portrait, uniquely bearing the very image of God. So be nice. If you can’t say something nice about someone, repent and ask God to give you a renewed heart.