"If any of you are lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given to you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind, for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord." James 1:5-8

     It has been several weeks since I last focused on the first chapter of James. I had concluded my thoughts on verse 5 in which James urged Christians to call upon the Lord for wisdom. In this discourse on wisdom James also told us three important characteristics of God. First, he stated the reality of God’s nature in his title "the giving God." Second, he described God's inclusiveness as the One "who gives to all." Third, James reminded us that God is generous with his gifts. James leaves the question begging: If God truly has such a giving nature, then why is our prayer life ineffectual?

     For many of us this sacrifice comes in a more subtle way. Mark 5 records for us Jesus’ deliverance of a man who was tormented by a great number of evil spirits. Jesus rebuked them and at their bidding sent them into a herd of swine. Their new hosts were so overcome with the madness of the spirits that they drowned themselves in a lake. Oh, what this man must have been suffering! After the herders had run to town with news of the event, the town people came out to Jesus and, “they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.” (Mark 5.15)

     From that moment on the inhabitants of the area had experienced enough of Jesus. They encouraged him to be on his way. How his new friend desired to go, too. How he longed to leave behind the place of his possession. How he longed to leave behind the looks of fear that now consumed his neighbors. If he could only go with Jesus, like these other men, and experience his new life with Christ.

     Yet Jesus needed something else from this man. Jesus needed the people of this area to see how God could change a life. Instead of taking this man with him, he gave him the task of living out his deliverance among those who were most frightened by God’s intervention in his life. Through his words and actions, the power of Jesus Christ was felt throughout the ten cities.

     Not all disciples are called to leave their home, business or family. Many of us are called to share our lives that have been changed by God with those closest to us. We must courageously point out God’s work within us. In honor of that work, we must seek to live a life that is evident to those around us that God has made a difference in us. In my experience this is the most difficult act of discipleship; living out our new life in the midst of those who knew us before that life began.

     Yet, by your words and works you can take Jesus into the work place. By your actions and adverbs you can make Jesus real to your family. By dialogue and deeds you can show the nature of Christ to your neighbors. But it starts with accepting Jesus’ invitation and making Jesus first in your life.

     See you Sunday,

  Pastor Dave

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