James 3 and 4

I gotta catch up! Ok.
AH yes, the verses about the tongue. These are always good reminders for me of the importance of thinking before I speak, and also, not interrupting. Many times someone will be talking to me and my mind will already be spinning as to the next question I would like to ask them. I hate it when I do that! I also believe that the words of death and life are in the tongue. Into every situation we encounter, we choose to speak life or death into that situation. When we pause before we speak, we have a greater chance of speaking life! I know I do!!!!!!

For Chapter 4, the verses about boasting about tomorrow stood out to me. I am a planner....not to the point of obsession by any means. But, I think a lot of things run smoother when you have a plan. I was laying in bed last night thinking....if I knew a decade ago that this is how my life was going to be at this time, would I have wanted to trade this book in to God for another one. I don't think I know the answer to that question. The job situation and the married with kids deal is obiously not at all what I expected/wanted. On the other hand, I have been truly blessed to have Kimmie as my sis and roommate and we have traveled all around. I definitely would not want to take that part back. You have heard the saying, "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him what your plans are." How true is that. My sis and I were talking the other day about how so many times in my life God waits until 11:59 to do something. She was saying she has no idea why that is (it is rarely that way for her). I do wish I knew. Perhaps I am just stubborn and want to rely on myself since I am so used to having to fend for myself and it is about letting Him fend for me. :)
PRAYER REQUEST: Unemployment runs out in December. I do not want to settle. I want a job I am passionate about. I would also like to pray for my man, wherever he is. :)

James 4

Each of us have quirks. There are certain things that just get on your nerves (smacking gum/food, cracking knuckles, tapping a pen on the desk, etc). I never thought of these irritations as being a problem with me, until now. I don't know about you ladies, but I have allowed my flesh to be in control more than I have realized. If someone smacks their food/gum, my greatest pet-peave, I immediately become irritated, anxious, and look for the quickest exit. I used to think that people were wrong and needed to change their behavior. I never thought about my behavior --It's all about me, me, me. What do I want? What do I need?

The word says: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4: 7)." This verse has often frustrated me, because I feel like I have resisted the devil many of time, yet I still fall into the same old pattern. But, God made me look at it in a different way. You shouldn't run a marathon without conditioning. The conditioning prepares you for the big event, right? So, we should apply this principle to our spiritual lives. Yes, I may be trying to resist the devil when it comes to serious issues such as lust, but what about those things that just irritate the mess out of me? If I can't control my "everyday" attitude and reactions, then how can I truly control my reaction to strong temptations?

During a Cleansing Streams course at KPIC, I learned that we should continually seek to be alligned with the spirit of God and should attend to the following hierarchy:

God's spirit
God's spirit living in the person
Person's soul
Person's flesh

PRAYER REQUESTS: TIME MANAGEMENT; ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS; ABILITY TO DO WELL IN SCHOOL-- TO NOT JUST LEARN FOR THE TEST, BUT BE ABLE TO APPLY THE KNOWLEDGE IN LIFE; DIRECTION FOR THE LIFE CENTER; ABILITY TO CLOSE OUT MAMA'S ESTATE; RECONNECT WITH MY FAMILY

When to Speak-Up and When to Shut-Up

Often, I just can't get it right. I say things at the wrong time, and I hold my tongue, when I should speak. I am encouraged by James 3 to do some soul searching. Is my spirit in alignment with the spirit of God? Who or what is in control of my thoughts and actions? My flesh is in control if I am not speaking through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Most likely my motivation isn't pure, when I just blurt out my frustration, my accusation. Most likely I am on the defense or my mind has been obsessing over the issue. Fear (fear of confrontation, fear of what others may think, fear of rejection, fear that I will not be able to make a strong case for my argument) has kept me from speaking-up. Abba God, I ask that you would fill every Sassy Sista with your Holy Spirit, right now. Abba, we submit control of our thoughts, our desires, our words to you. Teach us to speak in love, whatever that means for each individual situation. Teach us when to speak-up and when to shut-up.

"With the tongue we praise our Lord, and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's image (James 3: 9)." I know that gossip is wrong. Often, I find a creative way to get out of it: change the subject, walk away. Is that what God wants me to do? Should I confront the gossipers? What if they are not saved? Am I participating if I remain in the presence of those gossiping, but I remain silent? What do you ladies think?

James 2

"John Bunyan, author of the classic book The Pilgrim's Progress, said, 'You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who cannot pay you back.' Make a decision that you will live to give. Be on the lookout each day for somebody you can bless. Don't live for yourself; learn to give yourself away, and your life will make a difference."
Joel Osteen

A Little Business:
A couple of us were wondering if we could add some of our friends to the Sassy Sistas family. Does anyone have any objections? I know that my friend, Roz, would be a good addition. She is a seasoned Christian and comes with a lot of wisdom. Tell us what you think.