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Listen while you read: "God Leads Us Along"1 (Lyrics) |
James 1:19-20 – My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (NIV)
This just makes me so mad, I muttered to myself as I hunted in the basket, on the table and through my purse for the car keys. How many times have I told her not to take the keys out to the car ahead of me without telling me? I am absolutely going to give her such a blast when I get out there. I was in such a temper even my blood felt like it was boiling as it rushed around my body. Grrrrrrrrr.
Fortunately for me, I have been there and done this sort of thing more than once. "What's that?" you ask. Why, be slow to listen, quick to speak, and even quicker to become angry about something I figured someone else had done. So as I was growling and muttering and gnashing my teeth as I searched for my keys, that small, quiet, little voice of experience inside of me was crooning, Calm down; take it easy; stop and think before you act; don't think negatively; have you checked the pocket of the coat you're wearing? Well, no, I hadn't, but I did, and lo and behold, there were the car keys which I had obviously and unwittingly put there as I slipped into my jacket a few moments before. Boy, was I glad — even though I was feeling acutely embarrassed about my inner behaviour — that I hadn't flown off the handle and blamed the person I thought had marched off with the keys.
Blaming others is absolutely one of the easiest things in life to do, isn't it? It absolves us of responsibility, makes us feel superior, and gives us opportunity to vent our negative emotions. But, alas, it does not bring about the righteous life that God and we, as His children, desire.
The keys which bring about a righteous life, however, are not hidden. God has left them right out here in the open for anyone to find and use, if they so desire. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, and the righteous life that God desires for us will be unlocked.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the keys of righteousness which You offer to all who choose to accept and use them. Encourage our hearts this day, in Christ Jesus, to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, that we might indeed experience the righteous life You desire for us. In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.
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Amen to your prayer. Been there and done that!
Boy Lynne, can I ever relate. Thanks for this timely reminder. Blessings.
And it usually takes a lifetime to learn.
Good one Lynne.
Thank you Lynne.
Enjoy the upcoming weekend.
Thanks, Lynne. What a common problem keys are in many homes and you have given a wonderful reminder from God’s Word.
Lynne,
Thanks for the reminder, keeps me accountable.
Encourage our hearts this day, in Christ Jesus, to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.
Thanks for the good advice Lynn!!
You hit the nail right on the head with this one, Lynne. I pray daily, sometimes hourly, for patience, and seem to need it more as I grow older. Thank you for the message of hope.
Great devotional today. I needed to read that today.
Keep writing.
Blessings.
Hi Lynne,
Once again you have hit the nail on the head. There just has to be nothing worse than anger to spoil everything in life. God bless you for this devotional.
Dear Lynne,
What a great devotional! In my surroundings, I don’t have anyone around to blame; so, I end up blaming myself, which is just as bad. After all, I am a child of God and need to be slow to be angry at God’s creation. Thanks for writing this fine word.
Good day Lynne
As always it’s a pleasure reading this devotion this morning, and sure enough it’s in human nature to blame people for our stupidity at times.
Hope all is well with you and your family.
Continue blessing us always with your inspiring devotion.
God Bless,
(Trinidad)
Thanks Lynn. Been there done that, and it’s getting worse as the sands of time are creeping by.
Well, maybe a bit faster than creeping if I want to admit it. However, blaming others, for moving something we are POSITIVE we put in a specific place is also on the increase so this was a timely reminder.
I am so glad our loving Father whispers not shouts at his forgetful children.
Lynne – I didn’t know you had such a tempter :0) Just kidding!
I appreciate your honesty because what you experienced that day is something we can all relate to. Yes, the art of blaming others has been around since the beginning of time; Adam and Eve are the perfect examples. What a great lesson demonstrating that the keys to righteous living are openly available to us at anytime simply by applying God’s truth to our hearts.
Blessings.