Putting God First - Wisdom

James 3:17-18
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” - NLT

Father God,
There is so much in your word about wisdom. I find I value it more with each passing day. In the verse above it states wisdom is “pure”. Help me this day to recognize when I believe I am being wise but it is not that pure wisdom that comes only from you. Dear Lord, I pray that you will guide so I may be peace loving, gentle, and “willing to yield”. These are not the things that come naturally for me. Show me this day opportunities to plant seeds of peace with anyone who is in need. Thank you Lord for putting wisdom within my reach and for loving me to the point of death on the cross. And Lord as I read this same verse from the Message I was not feeling so good as I recognized it as a mirror to my heart. Help me to value everyone you put in my life from my friends – to my husband – to the clerk in the store – to my church family. Thank you that you do not treat me as I deserve to be treated but that you treat me as I don’t deserve by granting forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life with you. AMEN

James 3:17-18 (The Message)
“Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.”

(originally written - May 19, 2009. No added commentary needed, God's word says it all!)