Capacity

"A man's anger does not work God's good life," James 1:20.

(James still talks about God.) God's righteousness does not find its base in human rage. Not at all! Human rage generates swarms of perverted and filthy behaviors. It does not have the capacity to do good. Instead, God's righteousness begins with our humility. God's right living begins when we receive God's Word that he plants in human lives. God's Word has power. It has the capacity to save human souls. So humbly, we set all our rage aside, and accept his Word embedded in our hearts.

We visit with a brother or sister today humbly receiving the word God has put in us. And, together, we give thanks to him whose power saves us to a good life.

Twisting

"Good gifts come down from the Creator of the sun, moon, and stars," James 1:17.

(James keeps talking about God!) Every good action, every good thing comes from way up high. From God. All good gifts come down to us. From God. Day changes to night, season to season. But God doesn't change. God casts no shadows from twisting. Nope. And, too. God. God birthed us. God birthed us to become the most important of all his creation. Yep. By his good word. Word of truth. Real deal. Anybody says different is a liar and the truth is not in them. God does good. That's what God does.

When we see a brother or sister today, we remind each other of God's relentless good for us. And, together in this world's changes, we praise God whose promises hold for ever Yes! in Christ.

Nobody

 "God tempts nobody," James 1:13.

(James keeps talking about God.) God doesn't tempt anybody to do what's bad. Nope. Evil can't tempt God. God has no desire to do bad. Temptation comes from a person's own wanting to do it. From one's own desires. Yep. The enticement, the allure to do sin comes from one's own heart - God didn't do it. Yearning and willingness leads to sin. And sin ends in death. (That's how we know it's bad.) No kidding. But. People who press on through temptation show themselves true. They get life's crown. God does this. They get the blessing. God's faithful promise to any who love him. Word.

As we visit with a brother or sister today, we encourage each other to press on loving and trusting in God. And, together, we praise our God who yearns and wills to give crowns of life.

Prosperity

"Happy are those who respect the Lord and obey him," Psalm 128:1.

You bless us, O Lord Jehovah! As we walk in your ways we enjoy what we've worked for. You bless us with good things. The children and grandchildren grow healthy, strong, and beautiful. Dear God, you bless whoever honors you in such marvelous ways! You bless us from your temple. We see your prosperity expanding throughout the world! You bring peace to our troubled souls. Thank you!

We visit with a brother or sister today and find God's happiness overflowing in the relationships. And, together thankful, we offer the sacrifices of praise to God through his Christ, Jesus our Lord.

Drying

"A poor brother must brag," James 1:9.

James, ya gotta be kidding! Brag? First of all, nobody wants to get poor. Second, nobody who's poor wants to stay there. But here's the thing. A poor brother gets lifted up. That's where pride comes in - pride in getting elevated by God, James insists. God's action's the real source of joy. Well, OK. But, James, come on! The rich brother must boast, too? Seriously? In going on the down elevator? (Huh?) Everybody knows happiness is up the ladder, not down it! Still, James, why do you assert this boasting also comes from God's action? Because, better is humiliation by God's life giving hand. Than what? Than fading out right in the middle of the big deal. Drying up. And dying, ignominiously, without. God.

We share with a brother or sister today recognizing God at work in the vagaries of our lives. And, together, we give praises in the ups and downs of his blessings on our way to heaven.

Dice

"God gives generously to all people without scolding," James 1:5.

Got wisdom? No? Well, then, ask God and he'll give it. Yep. because it's about God. About what kind of god God is. The only one and true God is like this: He likes to give. He gives generously. He gives and doesn't scold you for asking. So, want wisdom? Ask him. He'll give it. Fill you up with it. Overflow it in you. Any conditions for God's bounty? Any If's? Well (duh!), sure! Here's the one If: If we trust him completely about it. Seriously. Because God is. Serious. If we're just wavering with our bets, forget about it. God's not into rolling dice with our lives. He's got nothing for gamers. No doubt about it.

When we check in with a brother or sister today, we encourage each other in God's generosity. And, together, we give him thanks for lavishing his grace on us in Christ.

Muck

"When different troubles happen be very happy," James 1:2.

Well. This James fellow is already starting off troublesome. Joy about trials? Hmph! Don't think so. But wait! Here's one of those chains that link unhappy events to something excellent. Trials to. Faith testing to. Hanging in there to. Growing up to. Wholeness to. Sufficiency. Ah! We see God's work right now in the muck of the tough stuff. So, we be happy: God's working in it.

We visit with a brother or sister today in life's troubles and hope together in God's work. And, together, we give thanks to God for his faithfulness.

Hi

"To the twelve tribes scattered everywhere: Hello!" James 1:1.

Greetings! Hail to you all! Hi, there! The old language term had its root in: Rejoice! Be happy! But when people wrote something to somebody, it commonly was just a word to say, Hi! But it got gussied up in religious, or maybe formal sounding language, as Greetings! In fact, that old term related intimately to yet another term: Grace. Yep. So, Hello! Happy! and Grace! have common origin. But that's just another boring word study. The point of James to us his readers: Hello, be happy, grace is coming!

When we greet a brother or sister today we meet each other in the grace of Christ. And, rejoicing together in God's love, we worship him and say, Thank you!

Slaves

"From James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ," James 1:1.

From James? What James? There's a bunch of them. And a bunch more of them when we understand that James and Jacob are exactly the same name in the old languages. This James/Jacob is a younger brother to Jesus. Well, a half-brother to be technical, same mother, different fathers. This James was not a follower before Jesus was killed. But he became a staunchest follower after Jesus's resurrection. Yeah. Jesus had a private chat with him then before going up into the clouds. So this James became leader of the Jerusalem congregation, an apostle of Jesus, even (not one of the twelve, though). But he thinks of himself as a slave. Slave to God. A slave about his master's business, the kingdom.

We recognize each other, brother or sister, as willing slaves of our Lord. And, together, we give thanks for the opportunity to serve freely listening to his kingdom directives throughout the ages.

Happy

"I was happy when they said to me, Let's go to the Lord's house," Psalm 122:1.

We're standing within your congregation, Lord, in your house. Your built your temple, your assembly, as a place where friends gather. All the tribes belong to you, O Lord! Your rule elicits our praises, our thanksgivings! Jesus, your Christ, rules from the thrones you established. We pray for your peace among the assembly. Your bulwarks support the congregation and those who love her remain firmly secure in her. To help brothers and sisters, friends all, may the church have peace. For the sake of your house, O Jehovah God, we seek her good!

When we see a brother or sister today we celebrate our standing within the walls of the new Jerusalem. And, together, we praise you, God, for Jesus whose peace rules our hearts.

Imperishability

"Grace to everyone with undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ," Ephesians 6:24.

The very last word the old apostle wrote in the letter: imperishability. Grace to all who have love in imperishability. Yeah. To all that have non-perishable love. Love that can't get corrupted. Can't rot away. Can't die. Can't fade. Immortal. Undaunted. Incorruptible. Indestructible. Unfading. Inexpungible. Durable. Everlasting. Constant. Steady. To all who have that kind of love. Love for whom? for the Lord Jesus Christ. Who love Jesus with that kind of love. Well, what about these loving folks? Grace. Grace to you all. Grace.

We meet a brother or sister today to express our undaunted love for our Lord. And, together by his grace, we offer thanksgivings for him who first loved us so.

Affirm

"Peace from God our father, and love, with faith, and too, from the Lord Jesus Christ, to the siblings," Ephesians 6:23.

So what's the blessing being pronounced here? Christ has sent out his ambassador to announce God's peace and his love, along with faith, to the brothers and sisters. Who are these siblings? All those who had formerly been dead through trespasses and sins, but whom God had cleansed by the washing of water with the Word. Those who, by his grace, through their faith in Christ, God made alive and raised them up together with Christ to God's own right side. That's the blessing. Christ announces it through his congregation to every agency in the skies and on earth.

When we meet with a brother or sister today we affirm the wonder of God's blessing. And, together, we give thanks to Jesus for offering his life to our eternal benefit.

Chained

"I am an ambassador in chains," Ephesians 6:20.

The apostle Paul introduces himself like that. He serves as an ambassador announcing good news of the kingdom of Christ to the kingdoms of this world. (At any rate, that's what he says when he doesn't present himself as a slave.) Christ has appointed him as his representative. His envoy. His messenger. (And, that, by the way, is what an apostle is, somebody sent out as a personal messenger on behalf of someone else.) That is, a chained ambassador. Chained by what? Maybe by Christ. But, too, imprisoned by the world's kingdoms. So, this prisoner, chained by the world for Christ, asks the congregation to pray. To pray that he announce boldly the message Christ has given him.

And so as we meet with a brother or sister today, we pray for those in our town and around the world who proclaim the gospel message. We bind ourselves with them in praise that God's grace be heard and received to free enslaved peoples into eternity.

De-Mystifying

"You must always be ready. Never give up. Always pray for all God's people," Ephesians 6:18.

So that's how to do battle with the spiritual forces of evil in the world and in the skies. Donning God's armor we stand together in the armed might of God. Always. On watch. Standing. In all kinds of prayer: petitions, intercessions, requests, thanksgivings, pleadings, appeals, and so ons. But especially pleading for any brother or sister. And even more especially for those announcing, de-mystifying, the good news of Christ Jesus to our mystified, lost world.

We pray together with a brother or sister today asking for the Lord's strength to press on. And, in thanksgiving together, we praise God for Jesus's power at work in us.

Armor

"Put on God's panoply," Ephesians 6:11.

Panoply? Yes, the term's in that rousing hymn, Soldiers of Christ Arise. So, what is a panoply? It's all decked out full body armor. Tactical belt. Armored vest. Combat boots. Military shield. Ballistic helmet. Attack weapon. God's armor, put all of it on for spiritual battle against invisible, non-material foes. So it takes spiritual, non-material materials to stand. God's troops stand together in. Truth. Righteousness. Peace. Faith. Salvation. Command. That is: truth of Jesus, God's son; righteousness of obedience; peace of Christ; faith in God; salvation by God's grace; command of God. And, oh, yes, all the time, prayer and requests in the Spirit.

We stand with a brother or sister today dressed out in God's armor. And, together we stand in praise of our God's victorious grace through our faith in Jesus.

Resolve

"Happy are the people who live pure lives," Psalm 119:1.

Jehovah God! Your ways, we want to walk in them. Your rules, we want to keep them. Your help, we ask for it wholehearted. We want to do no wrong. Your orders, we want to follow them completely. More loyalty to you, that's what we want. Your demands, that's what we want to meet. Oh, dear God! Then we'd not be ashamed when we think about you. But, anyway, we praise you with honest hearts. Your very fair laws, you do show them to us - we plan to keep them. Please don't ever leave us.

We meet with a brother or sister today and resolve again to commit to the Lord's way. And, renewed together, we give thanks to God for showing the way in Christ.

Master

"The Master is in the skies and there are no favorites with him," Ephesians 6:9.

Jesus is Lord. (Understand: It means he's the Master. If we don't get this, we don't get any of it.) He has no favorites among us, brothers and sisters. Are you a kid? Are you a parent? Are you a slave? Are you a master? Rich? Poor? Male? Female? Free? Barbarian? Cultured? Jesus cares nothing for our status on this planet. He cares, instead, about the way we treat each other, whoever we may be. Kids? Obey your parents in the Master. Fathers? Bring up your kids in the Master's nurture and care. Slaves? Obey your masters as you obey your Master. Masters? Treat the slaves the way you want the Master to treat you.

We visit with a brother or sister today recognizing Christ, Master of us all. And, slave or free together, we offer obedient thanks as servants in common of our impartial Master.

Fundamental

"Christ is the head of the congregation, and the congregation submits to Christ," Ephesians 5:23, 24.

That's fundamental. But here's where it gets weird. Therefore, ergo, consequently, thus, so: a wife must submit herself to her husband. (?!) But that's not all. And. Therefore, ergo, consequently, thus, so: a husband must give up himself for his wife. (?!) Wait! What is this? What does Jesus and his people have to do with marriage? Well, that's a mystery. A God mystery. A husband and a wife who honor Christ. (N.B.: Not men generally nor women generally! Nor unbelievers!) A husband and a wife live out the story of Christ and the church. She gives him deep respect. He gives her unsparing love. They become integral to each other. In fact: they become one, each dedicated to the benefit of the other.

When we visit today with a brother or sister, we honor Christ. And, together, we give thanks to him who loved us first.

Curses

"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ," Ephesians 5:21.

Wow! Submit? Submit to one another? The Good Book's calling us to to take a close, really close, look at Jesus. So we see Jesus submitted himself to our command. Our command? Yeah, the one where we humans bellowed: Crucify him! Yes, he chose to yield to our authorities and let the curses and whips and thorns and nails and spear pierce through. Now, the devil himself had reminded Jesus that God would command angels for protection. Too, Jesus said he could, at will, command 12 legions for rescue. (One legion: 3,000 heavily armed troops. Can you imagine?) But he willed different. He ranked himself below our collective will. He obeyed his God's greater will. So that we could be forgiven for all the rest of our sins, as well as this unforgivable one.

We meet with a brother or sister in the humility of Christ setting aside pride of rank. And, together, we thank God that Jesus chose to submit his will to the Father's.

Sure

"Now you are light in the Lord," Ephesians 5:8.

So, behave like light's children. And what does that walk in light look like? Well, first, it sure does not look like this: Darkness. Sexual sin, smut, hatred, greed, trash talk, dirty jokes. Those things and things like those things show shadows of the soul. Nobody engaging these gets an inheritance in heaven. No kidding. In fact, God reserves his coming rage against that stuff. Anyway. Back to the question, what's in the light look like? This: learn what pleases the Lord. Rise from the rotting dead. Reflect Christ's shining. Walk wise. Understand the Lord's will. Be filled with the Spirit. Talk thanksgiving. Sing to each other. Strum your collective hearts' strings. Tell tuneful praises. Submit to one another. All for Jesus.

We look forward today to visits with a brother or sister, our hearts in tune. And, enlightened together, we sing a hymn of glory to God and his Christ.

Wanted

"Try to be like God," Ephesians 5:1.

Be like God? What does this mean? I mean, sure (!), we've all of us wanted the power to make what we want happen! Wanted somebody to choose us for the team. Wanted that boy or that girl to like us. Wanted to beat up that bully. Wanted to win the sweepstakes. Wanted that house. Or that car. Or that big deal. God's got power! We want to be like that - who doesn't? But. But here's what it means to be like God's loved children: To give up our power-seeking and to give ourselves over for others. Like Jesus. To love. Like Jesus. For God.

When we move beside a brother or sister today we serve one another in the love of Christ. And, together, we give thanks to God who lifted us out of ourselves into himself.

Itch

"It does not belong to us, O Lord; the praise belongs to you because of your love and loyalty," Psalm 115:1.

Why should the peoples wonder where you, our God, are? Ha! You, our God, are in the skies! You do anything you please! But idols, things peoples itch for, false gods all, are just silver or gold or electronics. Human artifice crafts them. They have mouths, sure, but don't have anything to say. Eyes, but don't see. Ears that don't hear. Noses that can't smell. Hands that won't feel. Feet that go nowhere. Voiceless throats. Their crafters become like them. And the peoples who trust in them, likewise. But we praise you, Creator. Creator of the skies, the whole world. To You belong the praises! To You, O Blesser of human beings.

When we visit with a brother or sister today, we give glory to our able God. And, together in thanksgiving, we honor only him from right now to for ever.

Blessing

"Each one of you must speak truth with one another," Ephesians 4:25.

Want a list of do's and dont's? Sure - we like lists! So, here's one. Don't lie. Do tell the truth. Get mad just for a little bit, but don't sin. Don't give way to the devil. Don't steal. Do work hard. Do give stuff away to the needy. Don't talk rot. Do talk grace. Don't grieve the Holy Spirit. Do focus the Spirit's redemption seal. Do get over bitterness, rage, wrath, screaming, insults, curses: Do put them all off. Do kindness. Do compassion. Do gentleness. Do forgiveness. Do we have to do this? Yes. Why? To do like God does who in Christ did forgive us.

When we see a brother or sister today, we speak encouragements in the way of Christ. And, together, we give thanks to God for listing out the blessing way

Heard

"Put on the new self, the truly good and holy self created by God," Ephesians 4:24.

Yes. We heard Christ. We were taught in Christ. We were taught mindful spiritual renewal. (Wait - when were we taught this? When we heard the gospel. And when we received the gifts Christ gave his congregation. Oh. Yeah. right. oops! just forgot for a moment there.) We were taught to control for the new way. God's own new way. To live true. To live good. To live holy. No more rot or things that rot away. Instead, to live kind. Tenderhearted. Forgiving.

When we meet with a brother or sister today, we remember we ourselves have been forgiven, so we forgive. And, together, we say to God: Thank You for the new way that brings life!

Miry

"Put to death your old rotting self, behavior formerly controlled by deceitful desires," Ephesians 4:22.

Kill off your old zombie self. Yep. Put your Gentile way of life to death. So, just what must be killed off? Fake thinking. Mindful stupidity. Darkened understanding. Alienation from God's way. Being ignorant. Hard hearted. Given over to filth. Rapacity. Why must we put these off? Because they molder. Because we did not learn Christ like that. We heard and learned Christ in truth. Life resides in Jesus. New life. Forever life. Live that life.

So as we greet a brother or sister today we clear out decay and shine the light of Christ. And, together, we give thanks to God for picking us up from the miry mess into his glory.

Truth

"Speaking the truth in love, we will grow up in every way to be like Christ, who is the head," Ephesians 4:15.

Ever wonder what your job is in the church? There it is. We speak the truth of God's redemption in Christ. We express that truth just like God did: he showed his love through Christ. (And, by the way, we do not, do not, do not ever (!) pervert that phrase as a sorry excuse to slap down some sinner.) These ligaments that join and make whole the body of Christ start with Him, the head. And as we each do our part empowered by Christ, the whole body grows in his love.

We visit with a brother or sister today to speak the truth of God's forgiveness in Christ. And, together, praising God's work in Christ, we grow in his love.

Gifts

"He gave gifts to men," Ephesians 4:8.

So. As the surprise winner of mortal combat, Jesus handed out gifts. To whom? to his people. to his church. to his congregation. Gifts like gold and jewels and stuff? No. Better. Much better. Like what, then? Gifts like special messengers to testify to all Jesus's life and teachings. Like bold speakers to make clear God's intents. Like announcers to shout the good news of God's salvation in Jesus. Like guides and trainers. All these gifts to make Jesus's holy people fit. Fit? Fit for what? Fit for serving. For growing away from fools' errands. For growing into integral parts of the body of Christ. For us all to behave like Jesus alive in us. To love like he loves.

As we meet with a brother or sister today, we set aside selfish agendas and seek to serve each other. And, together, we praise God for the gifts of his love.