Friday, February 3, 2012

thoughts from my study in James

so i'm doing a Beth Moore study of the book of James.

this week i thought i'd share a couple of insights from Beth and some thoughts of my own.

James certainly takes the no-nonsense walk it, don't talk it approach to living.

we can go to church, love the sermon, take notes on it, and get a copy to listen to again.
But.
it won't do us a lick of good if we don't actually apply it. as in, "live it, girl!"

Beth says this:

"We can underline our Bibles till our pens run dry without a drop of it ever touching our lives.  The self-deception slithers in when we mistake appreciation for application or being touched with being changed."

and

"There is no lie so sly as the one we tell ourselves."

great stuff.

so in comes the self examination.  what lies are we telling ourselves?  could our "lies" be disguised as excuses?

at the risk of being painfully transparent, i'll share one with you...

i have been guilty of believing this thought "the bible says to love your neighbor, brother or sister in Christ, enemy, etc. but it doesn't say i have to like them"

what?

really? have you ever loved someone that you didn't like at all?  actually, that statement is a license to be rude to someone.  one of those excuses for our less than loving attitude/behavior towards someone.  someone that HE loves.

oh, James.  you don't mince words.  you kick my butt.  but that's why i am so fond of you:)

5 comments:

Four on the Shore said...

Beth Moore happens to be my favorite!

Also, loving those I don't like- even can't stand has been a New Year's resolution for me for the past many years. I stink at it!

Thanks for the help and guidance!

Kristine Meier-Skiff said...

I'm doing the Beth Moore study on James too. James has always been one of my favorite books. We are only in week one of her study but I am enjoying her approach.-Kristine

grey rose (they/them) said...

whew. this is good stuff, marie.
i always need reminders like these!
and i LOVE beth moore studies! xo

Stephanie said...

Yikes.

Ouch.

Thanks. I needed that today.

Flo Blankenship said...

I have learned SOOO much from this study so far. There's not been a lesson yet that hasn't left me with a giant lump in my throat and a need to change in some area.