November 19th, 2020

DAY 14 - PURSUING GOD'S HEART

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17
We live in a world surrounded by suffering and desperation, where this question is bound to rise from people’s hearts: “How can we know that God is truly good?”
When we understand the nature and the heart of God, we are able to trust Him even in hard circumstances.  James, one of Jesus’ half-brothers, misunderstood Jesus’ ministry and only became a disciple after Christ’s resurrection (see John 7:3-5; Acts 1:14).   
He teaches us about suffering and the power of prayer at all times.  He also teaches about the importance of chasing a life of purity and holiness, as well as how to rejoice that in Jesus all our sins are forgiven. James instructs us about trusting God’s perfect plan for us and pursuing a closer relationship with our Savior.  So instead of feeling despair when we fail or when life doesn’t seem fair, James encourages us to fix our eyes on Jesus who lived a perfect life for us. He is at work in us and for us.
James also challenges us to live a life through the lenses of God’s heart. When he understood how long, how wide, how deep, and how high God’s love really is, he was able to comprehend with greater wisdom God’s goodness.  Life in this world can be pretty tough at times, but without God, it’s impossible. 
It is wisdom to know that we don’t have control over our own lives. We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but He knows it before it happens and knows how to handle it. In the Bible, we will find countless testimonies of God’s unfailing love towards His people in all kinds of circumstances.  Everyday is a gift from God to us, a new opportunity to grow in intimacy with Him and to grow wiser and stronger through the process. 
As James declared, our God “does not change like shifting shadows.”  God is absolutely perfect in all He does. His love for us is unfailing. His goodness is everlasting.  “Let your heart be always guided by the peace of the Anointed One, who called you to peace as part of his one body. And always be thankful.
Let the word of Christ live in you richly, flooding you with all wisdom. Apply the Scriptures as you teach and instruct one another with the Psalms, and with festive praises, and with prophetic songs given to you spontaneously by the Spirit, so sing to God with all your hearts!
Let every activity of your lives and every word that comes from your lips be drenched with the beauty of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. And bring your constant praise to God the Father because of what Christ has done for you!”  — Colossians 3:15-17 (Tpt).
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- Carla Millener <><