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Monthly Archives: September 2024

Submitting to God’s Wisdom

26 Sep
Submitting to God’s Wisdom

9.26.24

True wisdom comes from submitting our lives to God, trusting in God’s plan, and letting go of our own will.

James, the New Testament ethicist, challenges us to examine our lives and ask, “Who truly has wisdom?” He reminds us that wisdom isn’t just about knowledge or intellect. It’s about how we live our lives, how we interact with others, and how we respond to challenges.

In contrast to heavenly wisdom, earthly wisdom is rooted in pride, selfishness, lies, deceit, hate, and a desire for self-promotion. On the other hand, heavenly wisdom comes from God and is characterized by peace, gentleness, humility, love, mercy, and grace.

To cultivate heavenly wisdom, James encourages us to draw near to God, seek guidance, and trust in God’s plan even when we do not understand it. By doing so, we can turn away from the world’s destructive influences and embrace the peaceful, godly leadership essential for a thriving community of faith.

As we continue our journey as followers of Christ, may we seek wisdom from above and live our lives according to God’s will.

In Christ!

Sela Finau

Reflection based on James 3:13-4:8a from the New Testament of the Bible.

 
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Posted by on September 26, 2024 in Church, Community, Culture, Family, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

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Wisdom

19 Sep
Wisdom

9.19.24

Proverbs 1:20-33 offers life-giving wisdom. Like a lighthouse guiding ships through rough waters, wisdom calls out to us, urging us to follow the path that leads to life, peace, and purpose.

But wisdom doesn’t just call—it warns. Just as ignoring a warning sign on a journey can lead to peril, turning a deaf ear to wisdom brings its own set of challenges. We’ve all faced moments when taking the easy or popular path leads to unexpected setbacks. Wisdom, however, invites us to rise above that and choose a better way.

In today’s fast-paced world, wisdom’s call feels more urgent than ever. It invites us to go deeper, to look beyond the surface, and to build lives anchored in God’s truth. It’s a call to cultivate our faith, act with integrity, and live with purpose.

Grace and Peace!

Sela

 
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Posted by on September 19, 2024 in Church, Community, Culture, Family, Life, Philosophy, Postcolonial, Postmodern, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

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Faith in Action

06 Sep
Faith in Action

9.6.24

James 1:17-27 offers a deeper understanding of faith in action. The passage emphasized listening to God’s word and putting it into practice, including controlling anger and serving others.

The message encourages us to:

Acknowledge God’s gifts: Everything we have is a gift from God.

Listen and learn: Be quick to listen and slow to speak.

Control anger: Resist the temptation to react angrily.

Serve others: Actively participate in serving our community.

Following Sunday’s Worship Service, several of us went out to feed our friends on the street. The line of people waiting for food was a testament to the need and the blessing that the church’s service provided.

This act of service mirrored Jesus’ example of going into the community rather than waiting for people to come to him. It was encouraging to see other churches also participating in this ministry, demonstrating a shared commitment to serving our community. This served as a reminder that we are not alone in our efforts and that God is with us in our shared mission.

Thank you to everyone who participated, whether through your monetary gifts or your hands and feet. 

 
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Posted by on September 6, 2024 in Church, Community, Culture, Economics, Family, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

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