Today's Devotional

TODAY'S VERSE
“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.”
James 1:19, 26

TODAY’S THOUGHT
James doesn’t pull any punches and comes right to the point. He knows how easy it is to pretend we are living for Christ. We have all the right outward behaviors. We know all the right phrases, go to all the right programs, and do all the right ministries. But James doesn’t talk about any of that. Instead he gets right to the heart of Christianity. He says that we MUST be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry. How different would this world be if all would heed what James has said? How many fights, feuds and even wars have been fought because people would not control their tongue or emotions? How worthless has our Christianity seemed to others because we did not allow James’s admonition to permeate our behavior? If Jesus would be Lord and Master of our life then He must be Lord and Master of our tongue and temper. If this has been a weakness, confess it to Christ and ask for the help of His Holy Spirit. He will guide you.  He will guide me.  Today might we give our emotions to Christ. When given an opportunity today, might we be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, you know how very many times I have been so swift to speak and get angry. You know how I have not listened to others the way I should. I confess my poor habits and ask dear Lord Jesus that you would forgive me and fill me with your Holy Spirit. Give me the discipline I need today to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.  In Jesus' name I pray. ~Amen

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara