I have read through the scriptures for this week a couple of times now. I try to weave the four together to find what the key is. What I see this week is staying devoted to God. What does that mean? We are asked to not be of this world, to focus on the higher cause of Jesus Christ and what He asked us, told us, reminded us to do and be. On any given day, frustrations can and will arise, anger will stir in us because of the way we are treated or ignored. God does know this, He knows that walking on this earth, trying to get things done is and will be a challenge. We should take a breath, focus on the qualities that Jesus asked us to instill in ourselves. That is one tall order some days, but focusing on that, it does sink inside and the bothersomeness of that behavior that so annoys us will ease. Believe me, prayer does work.
Jeremiah 11-18-20 18)Moreover, the LORD made it known to me and I knew it; then You showed me their deeds. 19)But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; and I did not know that they had devised plots against me saying, “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more.” 20)But, O LORD of hosts, who judges righteously, who tries the feelings and the heart, let me see Your vengeance on them, for to You have I committed my cause. Before these scriptures a scene is of chaos and idol worshiping. Jeremiah was endangered and just imagine asking God to see Him set His vengeance upon those against His people!
Psalms 54 1)Save me O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by Your power. 2)Hear my prayer; O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. 3)For strangers have risen against me and violent men have sought my life; they have not set God before them. 4)Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul. 5)He will recompense the evil to my foes; destroy them in Your faithfulness. 6)Willingly I will sacrifice to You; I will give thanks to Your name, O LORD. for it is good. 7)For He has delivered me from all trouble, and my eye has looked with satisfaction upon my enemies.
James 3:13-4:3, 7-8 13)Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14)But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in you heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15)This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16)For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17)But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18)And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 4:1)What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2)You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3)You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. 7)Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8)Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. A warning from James, focus on the things above, prayerfully submit
Mark 9:30-37 30)From there they went out and began to to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it. 31)For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.” 32)But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him. 33)They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34)But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. 35)Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36)Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 37)”Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.” A beautiful illustration of unconditional love. Jesus shows His disciples and this child, wrapped in a hug, the love of Jesus. We do spend a lot of time thinking about getting ahead or being first. This too is of this world. Let us find within ourselves what the Holy Spirit has planted, gentleness, love, kindness. All qualities we need to strive for.
Disappointment reigns in all of our lives here on earth. We need to remember to bend to the will of God and His Son. Through prayers, seeking God motiveless, His will, will be done.
Through Christ, Seek God,
D.J. Schoneweis