Strategic Prayers in Perilous Times

Strategic Prayers in Perilous Times

When my eyes behold what is transpiring in our world, I can’t help but think that we are living in the perilous times mentioned in 2 Timothy 3.  I find myself wanting to pray, but at the same time, I am at a loss for words because my heart is so overwhelmed.  That feeling of helplessness and frustration has become an impetus to me as I read the Word.  I am always on the hunt for scriptures that make great prayers.  It helps me to add words to those overwhelming emotions that are flooding my soul.  I have even read some of the Psalms out loud, adding the emotion that I picture the psalmist feeling as they poured out their own emotions.  It is quite therapeutic!

I want to share some of those treasured scriptures with you to encourage you and perhaps even help you when you find your own heart is feeling overwhelmed.

“Lord, as I live out Your commands, help me to do so from a pure heart, a good conscience, and from sincere faith.” (1 Timothy 1:5)

“Lord, I ask that You make me complete in every good work to do Your will, working in me that which is pleasing in Your sight, through Jesus my Lord.  To Him be glory forever and ever.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)

As we stand on truth, we know opposition and persecution will come.  To help me stand firm in those times, the following scriptures have become part of my arsenal of spiritual weapons.

“Lord, take note of the threats that face me.  Help me to speak your Word with all confidence.” (Acts 4:29-30)

“Lord, help me not to be afraid of sudden danger, nor of trouble from from the wicked when it comes.  For You will be my confidence, and You will keep my feet from being snared.” (Proverbs 3:25-26)

When I start battling fear, or feel like my faith is becoming a bit shaky, these scriptures have encouraged me.

“Lord, establish my footsteps in Your word.  Don’t let any wrongdoing have power over me.” (Psalm 119:133)

“Protect my life from the fear of the enemy.” (Psalm 64:1)

“Lord, lead me in Your righteousness because of my enemies;  Make Your way straight before me.” (Psalm 5:8, NASB)

“Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, To practice deeds of wickedness with people who do wrong; And may I not taste their delicacies.”  (Psalm 141:4, NASB)

“Keep me from presumptuous sins and don’t let them rule over me.  Help me to be innocent and blameless of any wrongdoing.”  (Psalm 19:13)

“Be to me a rock of dwelling to which I may continually come; You have given the commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress.” (Psalm 71:3, NASB)

“Help me to remember You alone are my rock, salvation, and refuge.  Help me not to be shaken.”  (Psalm 62:6)

“Teach me Your way, Lord.  Help me to walk in Your truth. Unite my heart to fear Your name. (Psalm 86:11)

Sometimes I simply need to focus on the Lord and His ways.  When I remember His character, it reminds me of how truly awesome He is!

“For the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in faithfulness.” (Psalm 33:4, NASB)

“The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.” (Psalm 9:9-10, NKJV)

“The Lord upholds the righteous.”  (Psalm 37:17, NKJV)

“But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord.  He is their strength in the time of trouble.  And the Lord shall help them and deliver them.  He shall deliver them from the wicked and save them because they trust in Him.”  (Psalm 37:39-40, NKJV)

I hope this motivates you to search for your own treasures in the Word to help you navigate the stormy seas of life.

© 2024, Stacy R. Miller

Finding Grace and Peace

Finding Grace and Peace

Life has been very stressful for the last several weeks.  I have been working lots of overtime and it has truly taken a toll on me — spiritually and mentally.  I have to say that after sleeping for thirteen hours last night, it has taken a physical toll on my body as well.

One day last week, I had a meltdown at work.  In the process of melting down, I cussed.  Immediately, I felt such guilt, shame, and remorse.  Some may think cussing in the midst of great stress isn’t a big deal.  However, it was for me, because I struggled with cussing for decades.  However,several years ago, I was deeply convicted after reading 1 John, and letting that book also read me.  After much prayer and wrestling, I began to loathe that sin of cussing.  The result was those decades-long chains finally shattered.  It has been at least two or three years since I have cussed, so slipping back to that habit, even once, was a very big deal for me.  I just couldn’t shake the guilt and shame, even though I immediately repented.

As I was driving to church that Sunday, the Lord gently spoke to me.  Instead of focusing on the guilt and shame, I should transform my thoughts to thankful one.  Be thankful that I was immediately convicted.  Be thankful that I still loathe that sin.  Be thankful for the Lord’s forgiveness.  Be thankful that the stress I had been under revealed some “chinks” in my armor, and now I could allow the Lord to work fix all of those chinks.

I spoke with a close friend of mine about all of the above.  She shared some of her own struggle.  With her permission, I am sharing some of what she said because by transforming our thoughts, there is much freedom.

Her husband died almost two years ago.  She has replayed that weekend in her mind many times — the events of that day, along with the few days leading up to that fateful day.  In our humanness, we struggle with all of the coulda, shoulda, and woulda thoughts, even though it does us no good.

She kept thinking back to their last conversation.  It was on a Sunday morning, just before she left for church.  She kept thinking she could have said more or done more before she left since he wasn’t feeling well.  She was mad at herself for not paying more attention to what was happening.  She was also angry that the Lord didn’t let him live a longer so she could come home and talk to him one more time and even taken him to the hospital.  

One day as she was cleaning up the dishes from breakfast, the Lord spoke to her heart, reminding her that she did have one last conversation with him that morning.  He could have died during the night.  The Lord reminded her to be grateful for what she did have, rather than focusing on what she didn’t get.

The Lord wanted him, and could have taken him that night, but for whatever reason, He was gracious enough to allow her to have one more conversation with him that morning.  In her own words, “Like always, He was right and my selfish wants were corrected and I got what I needed that day which is more satisfying in the end.”

I share both of these personal stories because I sense that there are some who need to move past their own guilt for something they have done.  Perhaps you are like my friend, and playing the recordings in your head of the coulda, shoulda, woulda and can’t seem to move forward to find healing and peace.  Learn from our stories.  May the grace and peace we found in the Lord lead to you finding that same grace and peace.

© 2023, Stacy R. Miller

Lessons From Jeremiah

Lessons From Jeremiah

I have been studying Jeremiah lately.  I have to admit — it often moves me to tears because I see our society in much of the depraved actions and the callous, arrogant attitudes in the people of that day.

During testimony time at church, I shared a verse from Jeremiah that I have felt led to memorize.  “But the Lord is with me as a mighty awesome One.  Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail.  They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper.  Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten.” (Jeremiah 20:11, NKJV)

I had been focusing mainly on the first three sentences because I see persecution increasing against the true Church.  However, this afternoon, I have been pondering on that last part which speaks of their everlasting confusion.

We live in a world of utter confusion.  Men can be women.  Women can be men.  The public school system is vehemently opposing the rights of parents to “parent” their children.  Instead of teaching subjects in the classrooms, they teach ideologies.  Lawlessness has taken over liberal cities that refuse to punish those who break the law.  Unless these wicked people repent of their sin and receive Jesus as their Savior, their confusion will indeed be everlasting.  They will have all of eternity to ponder the confusion in which they willingly participated.

Another thing I have pondered is all of the talk about the false prophets and their false words of prosperity and peace.  They constantly spoke visions of their own hearts and would proclaim, “I have dreamed, I have dreamed!” (Jeremiah 23:16, 25, NKJV)  We see the same today.  Recently, I heard one pastor speak of some false prophets and how they seem to have more dreams and visions than Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel combined!  

Let’s go back to the Garden for a moment.  When Adam and Eve sinned, they both played the “blaming game.”  Eve blamed the serpent.  Adam blamed the woman Whom God gave him.  Did the blaming work for them?  Did it keep them from facing the consequences of their actions?  Nope!  Immediate judgment and consequences fell upon them.

There are many professing Christians who follow after false teachers today. They get all of their “spiritual food” from these teachers, refusing to read the Word and discern for themselves.  They refuse to be Bereans.  They neglect the command to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12)  They ignore the commands to test the spirits .(1 John 4:1) They fail to make every effort to present themselves to God as one who has learned to rightly divide the Word of Truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

“Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.” (Jeremiah 29:8, NIV) Notice this strong warning from the Lord.  When He says, “Do not let,” He is showing us the responsibility is ours!

Returning to the Garden again, the blame game didn’t work for Adam and Eve.  Do you think it will work when those who blindly follow false teachers, then try to blame those same false teachers when they stand before God?  I think not!

It is imperative for us to remember that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)  The God who issued such strong judgment in the days of Jeremiah is the same God who is unleashing judgment throughout the earth today.  “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.” (Jeremiah 17:10, NKJV)

Lord, move upon us!  Make us desperate for Your Word!  Let our spirits daily thirst for Your Word, for we are nothing apart from You!  Let us call to You, trusting that You will answer us, showing us great and mighty things, which we know not. (Jeremiah 33:3) Amen.

© 2023, Stacy R. Miller

Are You a Fixer?

Are You a Fixer?

When someone you know has a problem, are you the type who feels compelled to jump in and fix it?  For those who are fixers, watching what is transpiring in our world today can cause great angst because the problems we see are so insurmountable that we feel absolutely helpless to do anything to fix them.  This can result in a myriad of emotions:  fear, despair, depression, and anxiety, just to name a few.

When we look to the scriptures, we find there is something we can do.  While we cannot fix the world, we can build up our own spiritual foundation, which will help us stand firm when everything around is crumbling.  

Matthew 24 and 25 give us a wealth of insight into what we can do through these treacherous, perilous times.

First, we must be careful that we aren’t deceived.  Jesus was quite clear on this one since He mentioned it four times in one chapter.  The best way to protect ourselves is by arming ourselves with the Sword of the Word.  I don’t mean just carrying it around with us, like it wields magical power.  Rather, I mean digesting it, pouring over the Word, drinking it like we would drink water on a hot, humid, summer’s day.  We must be dedicated students to the Word of God!

Jesus warns of wars and rumors of war, but tells us not to be alarmed.  The best way to follow His Words is by returning to His Word.  Meditate on verses that can help keep you calm and undisturbed as you see the world literally falling apart.  Personally, when I began to be anxious about wars, I found comfort in the simple fact that Jesus told us, “These things must come.”  If my Lord said it, then He is in control of it.  It caused me to turn my thoughts to thinking beyond what my eyes could see.

Jesus says that we will be handed over to be killed because they will hate us because of Him.  At this point, Jesus warns that many believers will fall away and will even betray and hate one another. Have you truly given thought to the idea that some who sit with you at church every week may one day betray you?  This is quite a disturbing thought!  How do we prepare for the time when others will betray us?  Begin to pray for them now.  As you do so, the Lord will fill your heart with love toward them.  When they turn on you later, your intercession for them will have worked a supernatural love within you, even in the midst of betrayal.

Jesus speaks of how love will grow cold in many people.  To be honest, I really struggle with loving people whose views are so different from mine.  It is something I pray about often because I know I cannot change without the Lord’s help.  I spend a lot of time in 1 John because it is a very practical book that speaks of love — what it is and what it isn’t.  I use it as a gauge to help me, but more so as a means of prayer.

Jesus commands us to be on the alert because we don’t know when He is coming.  He adds that He will come at an hour when we don’t think He will.  This should motivate us to spend much more time in the Word and in prayer.  Think about your life for a minute.  Do you want Him to come and find you watching Netflix marathons?  Do you want Him to find you constantly complaining, or being lazy or lukewarm?  After all, He warns in Revelation that He will vomit those people out of His mouth.  Being lukewarm is a very dangerous place!

Another thing we can do is “prep,” both spiritually and physically.  At the end of Matthew 24, Jesus speaks of the faithful and wise slave whom the master put in charge of his household slaves, to give them food at the proper time.  He is speaking of Joseph here.  Joseph interpreted the king’s dream about a seven year famine coming.  Jesus warned us earlier in this chapter that we will also see famines coming.  

Many pastors are warning their congregations to start stocking up on food.  Some are also warning of the spiritual famine that has already gone worldwide.  It is rare to find someone who actually preaches the truth.  

Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household slaves, to give them their food at the proper time?  Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. (Matthew 24:45-46, NASB)  Oh, may we all strive to be faithful servants!

Jesus gives us a stern warning in the next verses.  If we are of the mindset that He isn’t coming anytime soon, and we start eating and drinking of worldly things, He will assign us a place with the hypocrites — a place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  (Matthew 24:48-51, NASB)

In Matthew 25, we see the story of the ten virgins.  Five were wise.  They not only kept their lamps full, but had some in reserve.  However, the other five were foolish, and didn’t bring extra. 

A lot of people are distracted today because there is so much happening in our world, and it is at a rapid fire pace.  I have to wonder if the foolish virgins were distracted about something, and that is how they forgot to bring extra oil.  For me, if I don’t write bible study on my weekend to-do list, I will neglect it, simply because I let the things on the list distract me.  It is one thing I can control in an uncontrollable world, so it is on my list every weekend.  During the week, I already have a set pattern for studying, so I am not as easily distracted.  However, when the weekend comes, I have seen how quickly the distractions can take over, thus why I make sure to write it down.

Brethren, while we cannot do much to change our world, we can pray, seek the Lord, prepare physically and spiritually, and keep our lamps full.  Let’s not be like Peter, who began to sink as he looked at the waves that surrounded him.  Rather, let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith! (Hebrews 12:2) Take heart, dear ones, for in this world we will have tribulation, but Jesus has overcome the world! (John 16:33)

© 2022, Stacy R. Miller

Wisdom From Above: Without Hypocrisy

Wisdom From Above:  Without Hypocrisy

This is the last of our series from James 3:17. Today we will look at the opposite of being without hypocrisy. 

Let’s continue with a reminder of the above verse.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.  (NASB)

Opposite of being Without Hypocrisy:  Deceitfulness, deception, dishonesty, two-facedness, self-righteousness.

Rather than giving examples of hypocrisy, I want to focus on what the Word of God has to say on the topic.  As we read through these scriptures, we need to do so with the attitude of, “Am I guilty of doing the things mentioned?”  If so, repent while you still have time.

1 John 4:20  tells us whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.  

John is very blunt and straight-forward in his approach.  Do we say we love God, but inwardly, we hold grudges, bitterness, and hate toward others?  If so, John tells us that we are lying when we say we love God.

In Mark 7:6, Jesus said, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”  Do we honor God with our lips, but our actions are contrary to His Word?

In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus tells us that when we fast, we shouldn’t make it obvious through outward means.  Doing so shows we are self-righteous, and when we do that, we lose any reward from the Lord.  He wants us to do our alms in secret, then He will reward us.  

It is easy to fall prey to the praise of man.  Words of affirmation is my primary love language, which makes it even harder to keep my mouth shut.  However, in the times I have done so, I have seen the Lord work wonders in my life.  That is when I am able to open my mouth — not to brag about myself, but to brag about my God!  

In 1 Peter 2:1, we are admonished to rid ourselves of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.  When you hear gossip and slander, do you join in, or do you quietly walk away?  Sometimes the act of walking away can speak volumes to others.

1 Peter 3:10 gives excellent advice to us so that we can love life and see good days.  We must learn to avoid speaking deceitful and evil words.  As things progress in our depraved society, where pressures seem to build every day, it is going to become harder for us to live this out, unless we stay deeply rooted and grounded in the Word.  We need to praying the words of Psalm 120:2.  Save me, Lord, from lying lips and deceitful tongues.

Our blessed hope is to be in the presence of the Lord one day.  Until that time, we must remember that our hearts are deceitful above all things. (Jeremiah 17:9)  In the meantime, as persecution’s grip gets tighter, we may be tempted to use deceitful words to keep from losing our jobs, and even our lives.  We must remember that no one who practices deceit will dwell in His Presence. (Psalm 101:7)  Jesus made it clear to us that if we are ashamed of Him, He will be ashamed of us.  May we all be found with the godly wisdom that is pure, and without any hypocrisy.

© 2022, Stacy R. Miller

Wisdom From Above: Unwavering

Wisdom From Above:  Unwavering

In continuing our series on James 3:17, we will look at the opposite of unwavering.  

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.  (NASB)

Opposites of Unwavering:  Changing, unsteady, non-uniform, varying.

Disclaimer:  I am going to use the pandemic make a point between the natural and the spiritual. This will not be a discussion about my personal feelings about the vaccine.

I am nearly 60 years old and have never seen wavering like I have in the last two years.  Vaccines are good.  Vaccines are not good.    Vaccines cause all kinds of new health issues.  No, vaccines aren’t the cause of new health issues.  Get the vaccine and you won’t get Covid.  Now fully vaccinated people are getting Covid.  It is maddening!  

The time for a teen to decide about their purity needs to be done before they find themselves in the backseat of a car.  Failing to make a clear boundary ahead of time will lead to wavering.  Those few minutes of pleasure could come at a very high price, with repercussions that last a lifetime.  It could be a teenage pregnancy, an abortion, a bad reputation, or even an STD that lasts a lifetime. 

I was in middle school during the 1970s when one student got pregnant.  There was quite the stigma attached to it back in those days.  I can remember the whispers, the gossip, and the stares as she would walk past us in the hall.  Though decades have passed since then, when I think of her, the only thing I remember is that she got pregnant in middle school.

Let’s take the above scenarios and apply it spiritually.  

One public lapse has the potential to affect how unbelievers view anyone who claims to know Christ.  Case in point — What do you think of when I mention Jimmy Swaggart or Jim Bakker?  What about Michael English or Ray Boltz?  For those who may not know, they had big scandals in their ministry that were publicized by many secular news agencies.  We are decades away from when these scandals happened.  It’s similar to how a few minutes in the backseat of a car can change your life forever.  However, these effects have spiritual repercussions that can last for years, and possibly even to eternity.  Only the Lord knows how many people may have fallen away from the Lord, or refused to ever come to Him, after the very public scandals I mentioned. 

There is one more person I want to mention who wavered in their faith, and it has been talked about for over 2000 years.  Thomas refused to believe that Jesus had been resurrected.  The only thing that would convince him was if he could see the imprints of the nails on His hands and put his hand in the side of Jesus.  (John 20:25) Those words earned him the name Doubting Thomas. 

What can we do to help us not to waver?  We need to put on the full armor of God so that we can stand against the schemes of the devil.  (Ephesians 6:11) Wearing the armor will help us to stand our ground when the day of evil comes. (Ephesians 6:13)  

When we need godly wisdom, we must ask in faith, trusting the Lord to answer us and lead us.  If we waver like the double minded person, we will find ourselves tossed and driven by the wind, unstable in all our ways. (James 1:5-8) The disastrous result will lead to being tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine and deceitful scheming. (Ephesians 4:14)

We live in a compromised culture that is tolerant of everything and everyone, except for Christians.   That is not going to get any better until Jesus returns to set up His kingdom.  The world wants us to be like them, to be more tolerant of certain lifestyles, and to love people without offending them with any doctrine.  However, doing so will cause us to walk in earthly wisdom.  

Lord, give us the grace and strength to stand firm.  Help us to be steadfast and immovable in our faith.  Give us wisdom for the days ahead.  Give us clarity of mind and thought as we navigate through the very dark days ahead of us.  Help us to walk in godly wisdom, no matter the cost.  Amen.

© 2022, Stacy R. Miller

Wisdom From Above: Good Fruit

Wisdom From Above:  Good Fruit

In continuing our series on James 3:17, we will look at the opposite of good fruit.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.  (NASB)

Opposite of Good Fruit:  This one was a bit more challenging since I couldn’t use an online thesaurus.  The first thing that came to my mind was the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  (Galatians 5:22-23) 

It is quite obvious that the opposite of good fruit is bad fruit, but let’s look a bit deeper.  When you have fruit that goes bad, what happens?  It looks gross and unappealing.  It smells, and it attracts gnats that are really hard to eliminate.

Think about this — Do you want to be around people whose “fruit” is bad?  Have you been around someone who reeks of body odor?  You can’t wait to get away from them, but even when you do, that smell seems to remain.  As believers, we don’t want to have a spiritual stench, nor do we want people to watch us and view Christianity as unappealing because of our behavior.  Rather, we should be giving off the aroma of Christ.  (2 Corinthians 2:15)

As for the gnats that are hard to eliminate, I picture sins which seem to get a massive grip on us, where we feel as if we can never break free.  I have spoken before about my own struggle with decades of cussing, and how a long, hard look at 1 John was quite a reality check for me, showing me that I was cussing because I chose to cuss.  Period.  I had to learn to hate that sin, and to be deeply grieved if I cussed.  Once that happened, I stopped doing it.  I knew if it was grieving my heart, it was grieving the Lord’s so much more.

Jesus said people will know us by our love for one another.  (John 13:35)  Love is some of the best “fruit” we can have.  One who has godly wisdom full of good fruit will be one who has learned to love according to 1 Corinthians 13.  They will have a love that is patient, kind, not envious or boastful, not arrogant, is graceful, not selfish, doesn’t keep a list of wrongs, doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in truth, is trustworthy, and will endure all things.   That is quite a list!   

With all that is happening in our world today, I doubt that many people are thinking, “How can I learn to love like that?” However, it is imperative for us to learn to bear good fruit, including loving like what is mentioned above.  Otherwise, we will be ill-equipped when heavy persecution comes our way.  We don’t want to respond with wisdom that is earthly, sensual, and demonic.  Rather our goal should be to imitate our Lord and say, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” 

© 2022, Stacy R. Miller

Wisdom From Above: Reasonable

Wisdom From Above:  Reasonable

Reasonable is defined as fair, inexpensive, or not being extreme or excessive.

In continuing our series on James 3:17, this week we will look at the opposite of reasonable.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.  (NASB)

Opposite of Reasonable:  Absurd, crazy, stupid, unsound, mad.

As I looked at the opposites for reasonable, the first thing that came to my mind was, “That sounds like our world today!”  The nightly news is filled with stories that fit the above description.  Cities which have caved to the idea of defunding the police are classic examples of that which is stupid, unsound, and mad.  Months after that defunding, crime is rampant, and they don’t understand why.  How absurd!

Romans 1 speaks of those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, using their bodies in vile ways with degrading passions, filled with wickedness, greed, evil, envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice, along with gossip, and slander.  They are haters of God, arrogant, boastful, disobedient, and unmerciful. 

The above list is filled with depravity.  However, it doesn’t stop there.  It goes on to say they not only practice the above sins, but approve of those who practice them.  (Romans 1:32)  The sad end of these people is that the Lord eventually gives them over to a depraved mind.  (Romans 1:28)  In the original language, depraved means unable to reason.  Our society is latent with people who fit that description.

In recent years we have seen the above in parades that flaunt homosexuality, with signs supporting and celebrating gay pride.  There is no longer shame for such vile sin.

I want to share a personal experience that brought conviction to me.  I used to enjoy watching shows like American Idol and America’s Got Talent.  However, several years ago, hearing the crowds (and the judges) screaming with approval for anyone who was gay or transgender sickened me.  I turned it off, and will never watch it again.  

I have noticed a trend with many television shows.  They will draw you in with their captivating story lines, only to introduce vile depravity, just a few episodes later.  

Scripture tells us that bad company corrupts good character.  (1 Corinthians 15:33)  To walk in godly wisdom that is reasonable, I have made a choice to avoid having those ungodly lifestyles portrayed into my home. We may live in a country where many celebrate those sins.  We may live in a country that allows same-sex marriage.  We may work in a place that demands political correctness from its employees.  However, we do not have to allow it into our homes!  

Psalm 1 shows the progression of how dangerous this is.  Blessed are the ones who do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers.  First, you walk in the path of sinners.  You aren’t totally comfortable with what you are seeing, so you keep walking..  However, once you become a bit more desensitized by what you are seeing, you may stand there a bit longer.  Finally, your conscience is seared, and you are at ease, where you can sit down and be cozy in the presence of rampant sin.  

We need to embrace the words of Psalm 101:3, setting no wicked thing before our eyes, nor letting it cleave to us.  We need to hate what is evil and cleave to what is good. (Romans 12:9)  Doing so will help us to walk in the wisdom of James 3:17.

© 2022, Stacy R. Miller

Wisdom From Above: Gentle

Wisdom From Above:  Gentle

In continuing our series on James 3:17, we will be looking at the opposite of gentle.

As usual, let’s start with a reminder of the entire verse.  “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.”  (NASB)

Opposite of Gentle:  Abrasive, stern, unsentimental, merciless, inconsiderate, thoughtless, uncaring, malicious, mean, nasty.

Last year, I worked under a boss who was stern, mean, and nasty.  Thankfully, she left after just a few months, but the damage she inflicted on that department remains today.  She loved to intimidate and divide people.  She was unlike anyone I have ever met, or ever hope to meet again.  

Reflecting back on being stern — I need to clarify something here.  There are times when we are called to be stern.  Parenting requires sternness, but also love and gentleness.  At times, it takes godly wisdom to know which one to use. 

It is the same in dealing with deception and false teaching.  In Matthew 24, Jesus seems to be using a gentle tone at first when warning the disciples to take heed so that no one deceives them.  That gentler tone begins to change to a more stern tone in verses 9-18.  In verse 19, that sternness seems more pronounced when He says “Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!” (NKJV)  In verse 24, He gives them another warning about false prophets who will rise and deceive many.  His use of the word therefore in verses 15, 26, 42, and 44, hint of a more serious tone in order to get their full attention.  In verse 32, He continues with “learn this,” stressing the importance of what He is sharing.  

Jude doesn’t mince words when dealing with that topic.  In verse 4, he mentions men who turn the grace of God into lewdness.  He calls them dreamers in verse 8, who defile the flesh and reject authority.  In verse 10, he boldly calls them brute beasts.  Yet, we find the gentle side of Jude when he calls his readers “beloved” in verses 3, 17, and 20.  He reminds them to keep themselves in the love of God, looking for His mercy.  (verse 21)  Jude is an excellent example of James 3:17, put into words and action.

Lord, give us wisdom to know when to be stern and when to be gentle, for both of these will be needed as we continue to navigate the dark days ahead of us until we receive our Blessed Hope — the return of our Great Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

© 2022, Stacy R. Miller

Wisdom From Above: Peaceable

Wisdom From Above: Peaceable

In continuing our series on James 3:17, we will look at the opposite of peaceable.

We will start with a reminder of the entire verse.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.  (NASB)

Before we delve into this one, I have to pause a moment to share something I hope you will find inspiring.  I started working on this series a few weeks ago.  Of all things, Pastor preached on wisdom Sunday morning, using James 1 and James 3:17, along with several other scriptures.  I don’t believe it was just a coincidence that we both felt led by the Lord to examine the topic of wisdom.  

Opposite of Peaceable:  Belligerent, cold, cool, mean, unfriendly.

For belligerent, I looked at an online thesaurus to find simpler words to help us understand.  One who is belligerent can be aggressive, quarrelsome, hot-tempered, or have a chip on their shoulder.  Other opposites include cold, cool, mean, and unfriendly.

If I have errands to run after work, I tend to get laser-focused on accomplishing those tasks because the evenings go by so quickly.  In doing so, there are times when I’m sure my countenance can exude an unfriendly vibe.  I have to remind myself that even though I am in a hurry, I am still an ambassador for Christ.  That reminder helps me adjust my attitude.  Instead of focusing on my own wants, I focus on those around me, looking to see if someone needs a word of encouragement, a small act of kindness, or some laughter to lighter the stress of their day.

I’m sure many of us have known people who are quarrelsome, hot-tempered, mean, or unfriendly.  We might even encounter some who have that chip on their shoulder.  

I come from a family of people who have stomach issues.  Being in an environment with mean and unfriendly people is the perfect set-up for a nervous stomach that is in knots.  One thing I have learned that has been an immense help is to just keep my mouth shut.  I often refer to wisdom from my mother:  You will rarely regret what you don’t say, but may often live to regret what you do say.  

Workplace environments can be filled with drama.  I hate drama.  By simply keeping my mouth shut, or turning away to work on something at my desk, it shuts down the drama because I don’t add fuel to that fire.

I have done a few things over the years to help me embrace a wisdom that is peaceable.  I withdrew from all online forums, and I never set up a Facebook or Twitter account.  I have heard some of the drama that takes place through those social media platforms, and I have never regretted my choice to avoid those places.  In recent years, I have really limited my news intake.  There is nothing pure, peaceable, gentle, or merciful on the news.  By avoiding a tsunami of news, I am able to remain peaceable, yet have the wisdom I need to navigate these dark days.

The most recent change I have made is to put strict limits on watching Hulu.  It is so easy to want to mindlessly watch shows to try to numb the stresses of the day.  However, I made healthier choices — both physically and spiritually. When I come home, I often start with a 20-30 minute workout on our trampoline.  It loosens my muscles and takes away the stresses of the day.  After supper, I will watch preaching on You Tube, and/or study my Bible.  I am currently using two books from the Life Change Series.  One is on Jeremiah.  The other is 1,2,& 3 John.  These changes are helping me to have a godly wisdom that is peaceable.

We have a choice before us.  Do we want to embrace the world’s wisdom which is earthly, sensual, and devilish?  Or do we want to embrace changes that result in godly wisdom that will carry us all the way to eternity?  

© 2022, Stacy R. Miller