One of the many joys and benefits of staying in God's Word is the connections you see when you read it. I mean, you're reading a chapter in one book and come across a verse that lights up with a connection to another verse you read in the past....it's like something clicks and clarifies in your mind fitting right into where you are that day. God makes His Word flow together, alive and working in our hearts. I had that happen last week as I worked through the book of James for our Bible study on Sunday mornings.
James 1:5-6 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.
Hebrews 11:6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him
God answers the prayer for wisdom for those who ask in faith, sincerely seeking His face.
Hebrews 11:6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.
Micah 6:8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul.
Clear instruction on pleasing our Father. Have faith, walk humbly, love mercy, serve and love Him with all your heart and soul, in awe and reverence. I see these principles as our fence posts that should encase our lives. If we stay in these boundaries, our lives will reflect Jesus and bring blessing to ourselves and others, as well as glory to God. Now to get to that place where I don't go outside the fence!
James 1:19-21 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. 21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
Micah 6:8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
When we walk in humility and act mercifully following after righteousness, we fulfill the commands given in James 1:19-21.
James 2:13 There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when He judges you.
Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
Matthew 18:33 Shouldn't you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you.
Do unto others! How do I want to be treated? Do I not want mercy and kindness when I make a mistake? Do I not want others to overlook my shortcomings, be understanding? Wouldn't I prefer stand in the light of God's mercy rather than His judgment. I don't want my faults under a spotlight, but would rather receive a forgiving embrace. Well, then I need to extend the same thing to others.
James tells us in 2:14, What good is it dear brothers and sisters,if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions. Our behavior needs to reflect the faith we claim. And these verses show us what that faith is supposed to look like.
Lord, so often we fall short of the Biblical standard. So often we need Your mercy. Thank You. Help us to walk in Your ways and reflect Your character. Thank You for Your Word and the way it flows together to mold our hearts and lives into the holy people You desire us to be. Let us be quick to hear Your voice and even quicker to obey. Keep us in Your Word, give us a love for it, a craving for it. Let it come alive in our hearts and lives. In Jesus Name. Amen
Study these verses. Let them transform you!
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