30th. September. 2022. Daily Devotions.
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1:19-21
Self-centred pride and malice toward others must be replaced by a humble acknowledgment of our need for walking in the light of the truths of Scripture. Just as we were brought to a knowledge of God by the word of truth (Jas. 1:18), so there is a present sense in which daily acknowledgment of the implanted word will save us from anger and foolish decisions. However, this will only be true to the extent that we hear and respond to the word.
The Word is like a moral mirror that strips away our outer veneer and shows us what we are really like (see Heb. 4:12-13).
Working through Scripture, the Spirit reveals areas of our lives which need to be changed. When we see these areas and do nothing about them, it is as foolish as a person who looks in a mirror, realizes he has forgotten to put on his pants, and continues to walk out of the house. Revelation is designed to transform, not merely inform, but it cannot accomplish this without our response. ~ Ken Boa
Lord, give me the strength and will and wisdom to allow you to transform me. Amen.
Glory to God
Glory be to You, mighty God, for calling me into being;
Glory to You, for showing me the beauty of the universe;
Glory to You, for spreading out before me heaven and earth
Like the pages in a book of eternal wisdom.
Glory be to You for Your eternity in this fleeting world;
Glory to You for Your mercies, seen and unseen;
Glory to You through every sigh of my sorrow;
Glory to You for every step of my life’s journey
For every moment of glory. Glory to You, O God, from age to age. Amen.
Send forth the Spirit of your Son, O God, into our longing heart, that governed by your love alone, from you we never more may part. Amen. Charles Wesley (1707–1788)
Today, Lord, I live in your Spirit,
You make life to shine.
As lungs take in air to sing
I walk filled in your Spirit,
The fruits of my hoping,
The fruits of my living.
Today, Lord, I live in your love –
love that will speak to others
With the sound of your grace,
Full of mercy and forgiveness,
Foundation of my faith,
The fruits of my living.
Prayer for the Neglected
Almighty and most merciful God, I remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it is so easy for me to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, those who repel others by their appearance or personality, and all who have none to care for them. Help me to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.