Tag Archives: live right

Reading:
James 1:18-27

A long, long time ago — even before time, I suspect — God decided to bring forth Mark Roth (and you as well!) as a new creature.

“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures” (18).

I submit to His divine decision.

This morning I read a very-practical-to-me way to live out that submission. Here’s just a little bit of what Anne Cetas wrote in today’s entry in the March-April-May 2009 edition of Our Daily Bread:

The book of James gives us these three practical exhortations to deal with life’s stressful situations: “Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).

In life’s stresses, let’s be “doers of the Word” (v.22), and take the time to listen and show restraint with our words and anger today.

Remember, Mark, remember!

“Swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

“Swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

“Swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

[Receive with meekness the engrafted word (James 1:21)]
from James 1:21

Reading:
Acts 11:19-26

This morning I used the reading in the March-April-May issue of Our Daily Bread. (A good little devotional which I really should read with my family.)

Here’s the opening paragraph by C. P. Hia:

My Chinese family name sets me apart from others with different family names. It also confers on me a family responsibility. I am a member of the Hia family. As a member of the family, I am expected to carry on the Lia line and uphold the honor of my ancestors.

I’m a Roth. I want my children to carry my name with honor. I’m pleased (and proud, too often) when they do. And dismayed (and at times even ashamed) when they do not.

But it’s not just my own name. It’s my father’s name. Do I carry his name with the honor I wish my children would carry mine?

Even more important than that is the Lord’s name.

“…Christians first…” (26).

Do I carry it with honor or do I take it in vain?

Well, back to the little book and the next-to-the-last paragraph for today:

If you call yourself a Christian, does your life tell others who Jesus is? Are you hungry for God’s Word? Do your actions bring honor or shame to Christ’s name?

Who? Me?
[For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith (Acts 11:24)]
from Acts 11:24