Today's Lectionary TextJames 3:13-18Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.  Today's Devotional
The second day of a brand-new year!!!! I don’t know about you, yet I have never gotten into the New Year’s Resolutions thing. Sure, I hope that each new year brings changes, new adventures, and so much more, yet I don’t make a pledge or resolution to support my hopes and dreams.
Meditating on this passage from James pushes me into hoping there are some world, national, state, community changes – and yes, change for the Church. My hope is centered around verses 17 & 18, What of the wisdom from above? First, it is pure, and then peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good actions, fair, and genuine. Those who make peace sow the seeds of justice by their peaceful acts. On this second day of the year, I wonder how different life for all would be if we lived those words? Can you imagine that? Change for the church – yes, we know the Special General Conference is coming up next month. I don’t know what the vote will be, I don’t know what changes could take place. What I do know is that the Church will be the Church! What I do know is that there is a large mission field called the Great Plains Annual Conference and the harvest is ready to be gathered. What I hope is that we, the people of the Great Plains Annual Conference will embrace life which is pure, peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good actions, fair and genuine. (v.17) That would make for a great year! -Rev. Hollie Tapley
Disaster Response Coordinator Prayer for ReflectionGod of what’s next, may we, your children, look for new ways to sow the seeds of new life – a life that rest on purity, peace, gentleness, obedient, mercy, good actions, and being fair. May we be genuine in who You have created us to be. Amen.
|
|
Shared Prayers
|
This Week's Lectionary
|
 |
This Week's Liturgical Color
|
