Did ya'll enjoy that last post by Tracey on Good Friday? Wow that was moving and I was just sorry that I was out of town and unable to post a comment on that day.
Sheila said, "One thing I am working on and enjoying is learning how to pull out the "structure" in a book (she was referring to the book of Colossians), so that I have a place to "hang" all of the rich fruit I find as I dig deeper. On a practical note, I do this by summarizing each "clump" of verses - where I find natural breaks. Then I go back and try to understand how those "clumps" of verses relate to one another - to see transitions, etc. By doing this, you get a better grasp of the overall meaning the author wants to convey.
If you missed her comment you can find it here: http://theordinaryreflectingtheextraordinary.blogspot.com/2012/03/waw-team-post-5.html (in the comment section at the bottom of the post)
I found this tip to be very helpful recently as I was studying Chapter 3 of James. The first half of the chapter is all about taming the tongue. I know, I know, its this kind of chapter we can just hardly wait to sink our teeth into right?....Because who won’t find herself squirming a little as she studies a chapter about taming the tongue?!?!
When I first read through James 3:1-12, verse 1 seemed a little out of place with the following 11. Verse 1 says "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly" Then the next 11 verses talk about the tongue.
What’s the connection?
So I decided to divide up these 12 verses in their natural breaks and summarize each cluster. This is what I came up with this:
vs. 1-2 responsibility of teachers
vs. 3-6 influence of the tongue
vs. 7-12 perversity of the tongue
Then when I glanced back over it, it became blatantly clear what the connection was.
What member of their body would a teacher use most to teach? (Not counting a charade's teacher)
Their tongue!
Since the tongue is by far the hardest of our members to tame and even untamable without the help of the Holy Spirit, teachers have a tremendous responsibility to be watchful over what kind of influence they exert with their tongues AND (and this is an "and" that is worth pausing over), "will face a stricter judgement."
Why? Because they are in a place of influence and must guard against ever wielding that influence in any way that would dishonor God. So they must learn to willingly and continuously submit their tongues to God over and over again and not succumb to the many temptations to misuse it.
A tongue can boast, lie and steal God’s glory.
It can devastate, destroy, deceive, and sway multitudes in the wrong direction. A tongue can turn a sister against a sister, a neighbor against a neighbor and even nations against one another.
Like a tiny spark that in turn burns a whole forest down a tongue can issue miles of destruction and the teacher who misuses their influence and their tongue for self-seeking personal revenge, gain, or any other ungodly thing will not slip under the radar of God's watchful eyes.
Sobering, weighty, but not hopeless.
Not for the teacher or even just the ordinary joe who will not be held to the same stricter judgment as a teacher, but still has to keep his tongue in check.
If left to ourselves who could stand? Without Christ, who could stand?
But He gives greater grace. (James 4:6)
Praise Him that He gives greater grace!
The tongue, which cannot be tamed by man, can be tamed by God. Nothing is impossible for Him. So our part, teacher or not, is to submit our tongues to Him, resist the devil and his taunts to misuse our tongues and humble ourselves before the Lord acknowledging that without Him we are hopeless but because of Him we have great hope!
Whew! This Word needs to be at Work in me 24/7. Anybody else feel that way?
In closing, if you are having trouble understanding how a passage of Scripture fits together or what the overall meaning is try dividing it up into its natural clumps then summarize what each clump is about then stand back and ask God to show you the connections.
How about you? What has the Word at Work in you been teaching you this week?
My mind has been on James ever since finishing the Bible study. I re-read to make sure all the information and explanations will stay with me.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I go to prison next Wednesday for a Kairos retreat. Chaplain will have chosen 30 residents and I will be in a family with the same 6 residents (and 2 of my outside team members) for approximately 35 hours from Thursday to Sunday the 29th. We will listen to talks which include Bible scripture and residents will take notes so we can discuss as a “family”.
This morning my mind is on a meditation given by one of our 5 clergy, Isaiah 49:15-16a. “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has born? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved your name on the palms of my hands:”
The names of tribes of Israel were engraved on stones and fastened to the ephod of the high priest as a memorial before the Lord. (Notes from NIV).
When you get quiet and visualize that the great almighty, awesome God who created this entire universe and everything within, even the number of hairs on our heads, that this God has YOUR name engraved on the palm of His hand AND that he will never forget you, it goes deep with those who have given up a child, or been that child herself who was given up by her mother.
Right afterward we sing the song I Will Never Forget You which is based on Isaiah 49 with the exact words quoted above. The resident who sat to my right for those 35 hours last Kairos told me that her mom had left her on hospital step minutes after she was born. This was the beginning of her healing/forgiving process that God gave me the opportunity to witness.
I, too, often think of my name being written on God’s hand. God tells us in Isaiah 66: 13 “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you;” a wonderful word from God to keep in my heart.
Carol that is so neat. Thanks for sharing that. That my name is written on God's palm is really too much for me to wrap my mind around but one day I know I will see it. I pray that girl who was abandoned by her mom wil be there too and know that her God never abandoned her. Thank you for all you do to minister God's love to these ladies. You and Pam will most definetely be in my prayers this next week as you go!
DeleteWow! Girls! Good stuff! I really needed and enjoyed reading these blogs in preparation of our Kairos retreat! I find I am very sensitive and emotional ... prior, during, and after our time spent inside Leith so Carol's story of the abandon baby brought tears ... But Trudy's comment also made me realize how important our reunions with the residents are! James has made me so much more aware of my Lord's expectations of me and how my actions imfluence other's lives as well!
ReplyDeleteWithout Him we are hopeless.
And our hope is found in nothing less than Him! Glorious Lord! Carol and Pam, please know that I'm joining so many others in praying for all of you ladies this week. I've recently started a study of select Psalms and am currently focusing on Psalm 27. How perfect for you (and me!) to know and understand that God alone is not only our hope, but also our light and our salvation. May His light so shine upon you and each participant of the Kairos retreat. May each woman have a personal and intimate experience with the God who is her salvation, recognizing the hope that is found in Jesus. May all of us in our daily lives send fear fleeing because He is the defense of our lives. Nothing and no one (an evildoer, a host, a war) can arise against us that our God has not already conquered. Our response to His protection is to dwell (to remain, to establish oneself, to abide) in His house, His tabernacle, His tent - His presence - every single day of our lives. And in His great and sovereign care, may we offer shouts of joy and songs of praise to our mighty God and Savior Jesus Christ!
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