Freelance writer Lupie Riley

Thought: The book authored by the apostle James is chock-full of good advice. James was the brother of the apostle John and said to be one of the first followers of Christ to be martyred. John Wayne borrowed a quote from James and it goes like this “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (1:19 NIV). I also prefer the LB version “Dear brothers don’t ever forget that it is best to listen much, speak little and not become angry, for anger doesn’t make us good, as God demands that we must be.” The Word also says for us to not let the sun go down on our anger and in common language, “don’t take it to bed with you, get over it quickly”.
James tells us we should think before we speak. Words spoken in anger are like a great bonfire that causes the embers of hatred and grief to flicker for a very long time.

Being a good listener means just that. Recently on a TV program a woman took on her life’s mission to just listen. She keeps a daily log of who she listened to and there were many who just needed a listening ear that started a healing process for them. As we read our Lords Word we need to listen with spiritual ears to the instructions he gives us. We go on to apply obedience to that Word. Some day soon our lives will be played back at the time of the rapture, with our words and deeds exposed as we stand before Him on judgment day. Will we welcome that time or stand ashamed? That is the question we should ask ourselves.

Prayer: Father God, transform me into the person you want me to be. Like Mary who uttered these words “I am willing to do whatever he wants.” Your will be done in me. Amen

Verse: Eph. 4:31-32 “Stop being mean, bad-tempered and angry. Quarreling, harsh words and dislike of others should have no place in your lives. Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ.”

Married 58 years, four children, nine grandchildren and three greats.  I've been a freelance writer for over 40 years.  Working on a book at the present.  My priorities are God first, family, country. Look me up on Google search by my name Lupie Riley, click on first link. Faithwriters.com