2 posts tagged “james”

“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”- 2 Chronicles 7:14

I was just reading over BibleGateway's Verse of the Day.

Does anyone know how to pray?  When I do it less, I tend to forget.  I ought to remember who I'm praying to.  He's the same God that watched over me as a child.  He's the same God that kept me safe from harm, time and time again.  I can recall moments where accidental flicks of my wrist should have resulted in impaling scissors into my eyes.  God protected me by placing glasses upon my face.  The same God that loves me and guides me ... how can I forget Him?

Only into His word may He reveal Himself to me on this special day.  Time to get started; here is my song.
A psalm of David:

(Psalm 4 - TNIV)

    1 Answer me when I call to you,
       my righteous God.
       Give me relief from my distress;
       have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

    2 How long will you men turn my glory into shame?
       How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?

    3 Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
       the LORD hears when I call to him.

    4 Tremble and do not sin;
       when you are on your beds,
       search your hearts and be silent.

    5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
       and trust in the LORD.

    6 Many, LORD, are asking, "Who will bring us prosperity?"
       Let the light of your face shine on us.

    7 Fill my heart with joy
       when their grain and new wine abound.

    8 In peace I will lie down and sleep,
       for you alone, LORD,
       make me dwell in safety.

-- I thought of a tune while singing it :D

• Don't show favoritism

       If a man walks up and looks all scraggly and stuff; don't shun him off.  If a man is less attractive, or only shows rudeness -- while showing much need and desire for growth, don't oppose him.  Treat the man equal with the rich people who sit among you.

• Let your deeds be an open expression of your faith

       Christ's will is not a spectator sport.  Do you love Christ?  He died for you; is it unreasonable to show him your love in return?  Let your deeds be an expression of your love for Christ and your faith -- because it certainly will not save you.

And by era, I mean month.  In retrospect, this is the morning after my 4 month anniversary with ms. Christina L. Fiallos.  The time together has been amazing, and I am in awe at how much we've grown.  God's story in our lives would leave me on the edge of my seat -- if we were a movie.  Now though, is time for even more growth.

Four months ago, the day after Christmas -- I finally had enough courage to take the plunge and make it official.  Where we were once just contemplating ideas, we finally had our desired result: doin' it (entering a monogamous relationship).  I'll be honest, I was a little afraid initially.  I was afraid that once I made things official that it would really test our friendship.  That means though that we were really going to see if what we desired was real or not; whether or not this was just a fling, a phase, or something more.  I was always hoping it was something more ... and by God's leading, there's nothing less than that from what I can perceive right now.  I love it.

Today I fast from her, so my direction may be focused upon God.  No eating, and no contact with the chicklet.  In place I put Bible, Prayer, and Studying.  The next four months, I desire to lead her into a place of maturity; not to say that we haven't been mature already, BUT -- this has been the time of butterflies and sweet little lovey dovey kisses.  Next up, our focuses reshape to view the decisions we need to make that will affect the rest of our lives -- together, or apart.  We'll be encouraging each other to focus on education, work, studying, and a lot of other things that require diligence.  It's in this time that I can really customize her to be the one I'm waiting for, and vice versa.

Things are very convenient right now, but as with all relationships -- emotions are cyclical -- and I expect our journey to be both high and low.  Regardless, I heart this chicklet, and so I choose to grow more with her :D!  The pursuit is still on!

summer schedule @ TCC

--

Bible:

James (The Message)
Faith Under Pressure

" Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. " ~ 1:2-4

" Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don't ever count on it. " ~ 1:10

" Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life. " ~ 1:12

" Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven.  There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle.  He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures. " ~ 1:17-18

" But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action. " ~ 1:25

" Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world. " ~ 1:26-27

--

Give this a read and we'll discuss sections in comments, let's grow together!