SIMPLY REJOICING 11: Shine and Brighten a Dark World

1- RESPOND TO THE QUESTION

"A question may evoke a soul-searching response." 

SATURDAY, July 5
James 2:14 GNT
My friends, what good is it for one of you to say that you have faith if your actions do not prove it? Can that faith save you?
     The Bible, both Old and New, is filled with questions (challenges?) from God and Jesus directed toward us.  Questions that are designed to make us think, reflect, and act; questions to prepare us for a new adventure, a new blessing.  Patsy Lewis writes, 

"It is intriguing to me that God asks questions when he already knows the answers.  Pay attention to God's questions, for he is preparing you for some revelation."  (p. 209)

     The James passage is filled with questions intended to challenge our faith into action.  This particular chapter is the one Rick usually uses for his Habitat devotion.  It is a good reminder. 
     When questions pop into our head, we need to consider WHO put them there.  For what purpose?  Do we need to realign our priorities?  What is God asking of us?  We just might rejoice in the answers!  

2- SPEAK WORDS OF LIFE    

"A spoken blessing has the power to infuse and reshape a life."

SUNDAY, July 6   Blessing Blocks
Colossians 4:6 MSG
Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.

Ephesians 4:29 VOICE
...Offer only fresh words that build others up when they need it most. That way your good words will communicate grace to those who hear them.

     There is so much in this chapter, but since I am ready to move on to another book, I am going to push on!  In a nutshell!  Our words count!  Our words can be building blocks to encouragement and faith, to bless and support another.  Or we can tumble the blocks of another's faith with words that criticize, damage, and defeat.  I simply love the challenge for today:  be a blessings to another in whatever way God puts before me - large or small.  We often concentrate on 'counting' our blessings, but do we work hard enough to BE the blessing for another? 

      Our PYGs (youth group) are enroute to Hollywood CA right now for a week of challenge and change.  My prayers are for them to be blessings to all they encounter, to demonstrate the love of God through their work and words.  Perhaps those of us here at home could do well to accept that same mission for the week.... 

This post is based on the book, SIMPLY REJOICING, by Patsy Lewis, published by Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 2013.