Justice and James1:22

Justice shouts...



We are followers of Christ, a part of God's cosmic renewal and reconciliation by being heralds of the good news; by living in a way that mirrors Christ, a way that allows for the Holy Spirit to move, breathe and take over. If we are believers in Christ, then we are entrusted with the gospel to share it, to live it.

"Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves, but do what it says." James 1:22 NIV

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forest what he was like. But one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and preservers, being no hearer who forgets, but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." James 1:22-25 ESV

Injustice of all kinds should stir our hearts. We can choose to go on in our lives, to sit in this kitchen on a Macbook, to go to work and back, to read the Word, to go to church on Sunday and then to go back to work on Monday...or we can listen to the stirred heart within us, the heart in which the Spirit dwells and allow and share in God's burdened heart for the broken to burden us. Burden us, but yet inspire us because, as followers of the Lord, we know that He is capable of all. With God all things are possible.

We are burdened with so many injustices in this world- sex trafficking and slavery, racism and discrimination, orphans and widows, extreme poverty and corrupt leadership- yet we have the most powerful persons to tap into- the Father, the Son and the most Holy Spirit. We have the most powerful weapon- prayer. We have paths laid out for us, if we choose them, to be great for the kingdom of God.

We are uniquely made with unique talents and personalities and uniquely placed in a neighborhood/job/school with unique people surrounding us who maybe have or haven't heard the gospel.

Let our hearts be burdened for those who do not know Jesus. Let us be inspired. Let us have hope.

God let us see what you see. Let us see the woman standing on the corner who sells herself, who is forced to give up her body for a price. Let us see the child we know who is an orphan because his parents neglect him. Let us see that authoritative, selfish person as a broken child who is lost but belongs to you. Let us feel the weight of your heart Lord. Let us feel the sorrow you feel for the lost. Let us feel the depth and width of your desire for them to know you. 

God let us know the strength of your power. Let us know your complete sovereignty. Let us know your glory, your holiness, the greatness of your mystery. 

God let your Holy Spirit inspire us to be doers of the word in whatever way you have planned for us. Inspire hope in us, that the power of Christ can overcome all. Let us learn to inspire hope in others. Let us learn to love selflessly, to love every child of yours; young and old, every culture, every face. 

God I pray from the depths of my heart for every single woman and child who is a victim of sex trafficking, that your love would embrace them. God, let your justice reign in every porn shop, every truck stop, every pornography website, every hotel room, every brothel, every strip club. Let your justice reign in every government across the nations. Let your love reign in every broken family. Let justice reign over every victim of discrimination. 

God you are all powerful, you deserve the praise of all. You are so good God, you are perfectly just. Let your justice reign.

In the Holy name of Jesus,
Amen.

To Man, From Woman

inspired by my husband and my brother Kevin...

Beloved Man,

You were named Adam by God, the Creator of all, because He made you from the soil of the earth. You were formed like clay by the Potter; an earthen vessel that God breathed into and gave life. You are different than all other creation. You are intimate with God, given authority over all other creation, not to have power over it, but to care for it, cultivate it, and therefore glorify your Creator. Man, flesh from which I came, I was made for you. I was taken from your rib: from a place close to your heart to be loved, and under your arm to be protected. You knew I was for you the moment you laid eyes on me. I was made to be your helper, your humble servant, to pray for you, to encourage you, to honor you and to love and adore you with everything I am. I was made to be your sanctuary of comfort and inspiration. You lead nations for the glory of God, you are a fisher of men, you are my provider. I am your prayer warrior, constantly lifting you up for favor to the throne of the Father, constantly crying out for more grace and wisdom and strength to be poured upon you as you rise up in the name of Christ. I am your secret garden, only open to you, full of desired spices, fragrances and fruits to please you, that you would delight in me and praise God for our love. We are partners, with our sovereign God, in the creation of new life. I am the garden of your fruit, your heirs, and together, we will raise disciples, we will be a church family, we will serve the Lord in our household, led by you, beloved Man. God has entrusted us, oh Man, to imitate the intimacy of the Holy Trinity. As the Church body submits to the will and leadership of Christ Jesus, so I submit to you Man, my protector in this life. I am tender and vulnerable, and you keep me and defend me from temptation and evil. Man, I desire you as the Bride desires her Bridegroom. Let me honor you by loving you selflessly, and I will gently guide and build you up in holiness, as your love molds onto me, to protect and cherish and lead me. Let us bring glory to God in all we do. Let us love in the name of Jesus.

Love, 

Woman

God thank you for the gift of man. Thank you for the gift of relationship and intimacy. You are so good. You are such a good Provider. You provide all the fellowship and love we need as women. Help us women to be better women of God. Help us honor, build up, and selflessly love our men, our brothers. 

In Jesus' name, Amen.