Faith Revealed • James 2

Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time.

James 2:13

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There is so much in this chapter! 

But, due to a real life lesson, 

I need to share this verse and how the Lord 

used it in my life this morning.

You see, after I posted this verse to my status 

on Facebook, I had a pop quiz on it.

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"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, 

when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. 

You know that under pressure, your faith-life is 

forced into the open and shows its true colors." 

James 1:2-3

•

Through a difficult conversation with a friend, 

my mercy fruit was tested and what was revealed 

was instead a root of judgment.

As my friend poured out her feelings to me
the words that jumped to my lips
and rolled out of my mouth
did not encourage, lift up or give life.
Instead my words put her on the defense
and threw up a wall between us.

My words conveyed the judgment in my heart.
They showed that I expected
so much more from her.
Couldn't she see that she wasn't acting
like a real Christian?

My words revealed that I
thought she should perform,
cover up her initial feelings
and pretend that she had it all together.

Where was the mercy?

Thankfully, this conversation did not end 

with my judgment hanging out all over. 

Jesus came in and brought His mercy and forgiveness,

brought down the wall and restored relationship. 

Praise His Holy Name!

Our Holy Gardener is landscaping me 

with His Word. (See James 1:21.)

I am so thankful that He is at work and 

that He is making me into the Salvation-Garden 

He wants me to be!

But let me tell you, 

pulling these roots can sure be painful!

It is all well and good for me to read His Word 

and write beautiful shares about what 

He has showed me in His Word, 

but if I don't act on what He has showed me, 

what good is any of it?

•

Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere 

in this if you learn all the right words 

but never do anything? 

Does merely talking about faith 

indicate that a person really has it?

James 2:13-14

•

Dear Lord, thank You for allowing this test this morning.
Thank you for prompting me to come to You,
because when I did You showed me what was
happening. Thank you that You do not want us to
pretend or perform for You. You want real fruit that comes
from walking in faith, in Your power, as I rely on Your
Spirit to produce Your Good Fruit in my life.
Thank You for Your Word that instructs me in the Way
I should go. Help me to do more than just read it
and talk about it. Thank You for showing me that I need to
do more than just talk and share about Your Word.
Help me to, by faith, do what it says.
Please teach me what Mercy is and please grow
the fruit of Mercy in my life. Please rip out the roots
of judgment that I have so faithfully tended.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

Unshakable and Assured • John 16

"This is what I want you to do:

Ask the Father for whatever is

keeping with the things I've revealed

to you. Ask in my name, according to my will,

and He'll most certainly give it to you. 

Your joy will be a river over flowing its banks!"

John 16:23-24

•

"Now we know that You know

everything – it all comes

together in You."

John 16:30

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"I've told you all this so that trusting

me, you will be unshakable and assured,

deeply at peace. In this godless world

you will continue to experience

difficulties. But take heart!

I've conquered the world!"

John 16:33

You know me inside and out.

You have not left me to stumble around

in the dark, to find my own way.

You know everything. 

You illuminate my way with 

Your light and truth.

Deep inside the Counselor-Friend

translates Your way to my soul.

Life with You is not a guessing game.

It is not smoke and mirrors or 

pie in the sky.

 

Struggles and trials will come.

Mountains to climb and 

dark valleys to maneuver.

These are not a surprise.

You said they would be there. 

I am not alone in the midst of 

the deep water, the ground shaking,

the tempest, the fire-storm.

Trust in You 

makes me unshakable and assured.

Deep peace and joy unspeakable 

wells up as I release my grasp

on my life, this world – 

on what I see with these eyes made of dirt –

and place it all in the hands 

of the One who has overcome the world.

Bring the Clear Light of Day • John 9

"I came into the world

to bring everything

into the clear light of day,

making all the distinctions clear,

so  that those who have never seen

will see,

and those who have made

a great pretense of seeing

will be exposed as blind." 

John 9:39

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Blindingly bright, it shines all around

but they refused to acknowledge it.

They refuse to acknowledge You.

Blindingly bright, it shines

exposing cardboard cutouts,

painted scenery,

whitewashed shacks. 

Your glory shines

and all that is becomes apparent. 

The darkness can no longer cover

what is so glaringly true.

Clinging to darkness

yet claiming clear sight.

Pointing out specks on others

while oozing with their own filth 

as it runs down their pointing finger.

In Your light

I look down and see it there

running down my arm.

It puddles at my feet

as I fall to my knees 

before You.

What's Real • John 7

"The world has nothing against you,

but it's up in arms against me.

It's against me because I expose

the evil behind its pretensions.

John 7:7

•

"A person making things up tries

to make himself look good. 

But someone trying to honor the one

who sent him sticks to the facts

and doesn't tamper with reality."

John 7:17

•

"Don't be nitpickers;

use your head – and heart! – 

to discern what is right, 

to test what is authentically right."

John 7:24

•

"My true origin is the One who sent me,

and you don't know Him at all.

I come from Him – 

that's how I know Him. 

He sent me here."

John 7:29 

"If anyone  thirsts, let him

come to me and drink.

Rivers of living water will brim

and spill out of the depths

of anyone who believes in me

this way, just as the Scripture says."

John 7:37-38

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Lord, thank You that You are real. 

I don't have to question

if you are hiding or putting up a front.

You are Truth.

You are Light.

You want me to know You.

So you do not hide.

You reveal.

You are the source of Living Water.

You are the source of all that gives life.

Forgive me for nitpicking instead of trusting.

Thank you for patiently waiting for me

as I grow in faith and trust in You.

Facing Facts

I have five kids.

A small, large family.

Way more than I ever imagined when I was 20.

Yeah.

I love each and every one of them.

So much it hurts sometimes.

But, wow!

Sometimes life gets pretty crazy around here.

Shoes... everywhere!

Four of these people are girls... (Need I say more?)

I heard this quote once...

"I thought I was such a godly person,
and then I had kids
and I realized how far that was from the truth."

Well... that certainly was true for me.

But, I'm also realizing I am living a new version of that quote.

I thought I was pretty together as a mom
and then I ended up with five kids
and I realized how far that was from the truth!

I can be a bit of a rebel when it comes to "how to" tips.

I have a hard time implementing what works
for someone else in my own home.

I would actually snicker at blog posts
that were about organizing a larger family.

Yeah, well...

Now I'm going to have to eat crow.

Because, I now am starting to see
as I crawl out of the mire of "Survival Mode"
after the addition of Ruthie,
that I need to face facts.

We have a lot of kids.

We have a little house.
(of which I am very thankful for)

I homeschool above mentioned kids.

Above mentioned kids are very creative.

And very prolific in their creativity.

There are many details that can send me over the edge.

So, I am starting by acknowledging the facts.

I desire to discover ways to simplify and streamline
and eliminate some chaos.

Thankfully, I am blessed with several friends who also have lots of kids.

Hint, hint....

So, lay it on me girls!

Help this newly awakened dreamer accept reality.