"No one is good, not even one..."

Today as I was doing my quiet time I was reading through James. It seems to be a book of the bible the Lord is really wanting to teach me a lesson from. And in this book James is giving reminders of how the Christian Church is supposed to live. And just in the first 2 chapters I realized areas where I needed to repent and ask forgiveness for.

"God looked down from heaven,

on the sons of men

to see if there are any who understand

any who seek God.

Everyone has turned away

They have together became corrupt;

there is no one who does good, not even one"

Psalm 53:2-3

I realized I am constantly looking at people and not seeing anything but their exterior. I went to Walmart with family the other night and all I kept seeing were things to laugh at that people were wearing or how they presented themselves. Honestly not one "good" thing came out of my mouth. The sadder part about it is I didn't even realize it, and all I said was "what? I'm just honest." It wasn't until today that I realized what I was doing. I completely was neglecting that I am called to love not to judge others.

"Religion that is pure and undefiled

before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans

and widows in their afflictions, and

to keep oneself unstained from the world."

James 1:27

I was stained was looking through world binoculars. How sad it is how imperfect I am. But the blessing is that no matter how undeserving I am Christ's Grace is sufficient.

"But he gives us more grace,

That is why Scripture says;

'God opposes the proud

But give grace to the humble'"

James 4:6

So Lord please forgive me for judging people that I do not know, for looking at the exterior instead of the heart. Father I understand more and more everyday that I am truly nothing without you. So Lord please help me become clean, and help me to renew my mindset. I want it to be transformed, and you are the only one who can do that!

"Come near to God and he will come near to you, Wash your hands,

You sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Grieve , mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning

and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord

And he will lift you up."

James 4:8-10

I know that I am not good. But through Christ I can be!

Car ride thoughts

I've been thinking...

There is no better place to think than when you are driving in a car by yourself. Actually, I find that in may cases I wind up turning off the music and I allow my wheels to turn, not just the wheels on the car. Tonight thats exactly what happened.

I got in the car and began thinking a listening. I was in a quiet place where I could just let the Lord speak. The best thing about him speaking is that normally he speaks on the constant theme that is turning in your mind. So for me, recently, I have been in a place of "waiting." And from what it sounds like it's a season that most of the people around me are in. Well, I don't know if you do this, but since I'm a thinker, I go through every possible circumstance and think of every possible outcome. It at times can drive a person crazy. So for me, it was nice to finally be in a place where I was able just to listen, and no joke the Lord spoke! This time I didn't turn off the music. I allowed it to be playing quietly in the background, and every song that came on just hit my heart. They were all about Trusting in the Lord. That he takes care of you, no matter how bad a circumstance. That he only has good for you. So fight the tears, while driving home, the Lord ministered to my heart.

At one point I drive past this church in Cedar Hill, TN and for some reason the book of the bible James popped into my head. So when I finally get home, I go to my room, and take my computer because I decided tonight is the night for me to start blogging. I get out my "My Utmost for His Highest" devotional and read the daily words, and actually while I am typing this I realize that i read the wrong day.. but it was no mistake because it really ministered to me. There was one sentence that really stood out to me; "The underlying foundation of Jesus Christ's kingdom is poverty, not possessions; not making decisions for Jesus, but having a sense of absolute futility that we finally admit, 'Lord, I cannot even begin to do it.'" And it's so funny because I has just been saying in the car, that absolutely nothing matters as much as God, that nothing is reliable other than God, and there is no way I could make through my life if I didn't have him. It's just a huge revelation!

But another thing is that it is a continual learning process that I can/have to rely/trust in God. Oh yeah remember how I said I felt like I was supposed to read in James? Well, I finally did... and it was no mistake for me to read it either.

James 1:2-4

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness, And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing."

It hit me while reading it, that the thing I have been praying for is to be whole, and one in the Lord. It was like a peace came over me, that the Lord was doing exactly what I have been praying for. That the refining he has been doing to me is the answer to my prayer for bringing closer to wholeness/oneness in Him. Wow! Isn't the Lord amazing. I am truly amazed by Him all the time. My prayer is that my eyes continue to be enlightened to Him in general, that I will continue to know Him more, and that I be open to whatever His will is for me! But this prayer is for you too! But you know, I'm just saying...