Nothing But A Wisp Of Fog

Nothing But A Wisp Of Fog

by | Aug 22, 2025 | Community Conversations, Prayers

– Today’s Community Scripture – 8/22/2025

And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.” As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that, for you, is evil.

James 4:13–17 (MSG)

– Reflection:

We often make plans as if we own tomorrow, but James reminds us that life is fragile and unpredictable. It’s not about ignoring ambition—it’s about anchoring it in humility. When we say, “I’ll do this or that,” we should pause and ask, “Is this aligned with God’s will?” Because when we act as if we’re in control, we miss the deeper truth: our lives are like a mist, here briefly and gone. The real wisdom is in living with purpose, knowing that doing good isn’t optional—it’s a responsibility. If we know the right thing and choose not to do it, we’re not just making a mistake—we’re missing the mark.

– Where do we go from here?

We stop living as if we have all the time in the world and start checking in with God before we act. James isn’t telling us to stop planning—he’s telling us to stop acting like we’re in charge. The next step is simple: before making decisions, we ask, “God, is this what You want?” And if we already know the right thing to do, we don’t wait—we do it. Living this way keeps us grounded, humble, and focused on what truly matters. It’s not about fear—it’s about faith and obedience.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, help us slow down and remember that we don’t control tomorrow. Teach us to trust Your plan more than our own. Before we move, speak, or decide, remind us to ask, “Is this Your will?” Give us the courage to do what’s right when we know it, and the wisdom to stay humble in all we do. Our lives are in Your hands, and that’s exactly where we want them to be. Amen.
Get Serious

Get Serious

by | Aug 21, 2025 | Community Conversations, Prayers

– Today’s Community Scripture – 8/21/2025

Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way. You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.” So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. Don’t bad-mouth each other, friends. It’s God’s Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You’re supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?

James 4:1–12 (MSG)

– Reflection:

Whether in our personal lives, workplaces, or even globally, it arises from unchecked desires and pride. These tensions don’t appear out of nowhere; they stem from our internal struggles, our need to control outcomes, and our reluctance to surrender those desires to God. When we pursue what we want without considering if it’s right or aligned with God’s will, we end up hurting others and ourselves. The message is clear: humility is the way forward. God isn’t looking for perfection, but for a heart that’s willing to listen, yield, and grow. When we stop trying to win every battle and instead let God lead, we find peace, clarity, and strength. It’s a call to be genuine, stop pretending, and let grace do the heavy lifting.

– Where do we go from here?

James 4:1–12 reminds us that much of the conflict we face, whether with others or within ourselves, stems from misplaced desires. We want things our way, and when we don’t get them, we fight, argue, and even drift from God. James isn’t just pointing fingers; he’s asking us to examine our hearts. Are we pursuing what God wants, or just our own wants? The good news is, God offers grace. He’s not looking for perfect people. He’s looking for humble ones. So, from here, we embrace humility. We stop judging others, stop trying to play God, and start drawing near to Him. That’s where peace begins, and that’s where real change starts.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank You for using him to show us what it looks like to live with wisdom, humility, and faith that works. His example helps us understand the kind of life You call us to, a life that draws near to You, resists pride, and chooses peace over conflict. Help us walk that path today. Let his words shape our hearts and guide our steps as we follow Christ more closely. Keep us steady. Amen.
Live Well, Live Wisely

Live Well, Live Wisely

by | Aug 20, 2025 | Community Conversations, Prayers

– Today’s Community Scripture – 8/20/2025 Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats. Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. James 3:13–18 (MSG) – Reflection: Wisdom isn’t just about knowing things; it’s about showing it through how we live. James reminds us that real wisdom is visible in our actions, especially when we’re humble and kind. If we’re driven by jealousy or selfish ambition, that’s not wisdom from God; it’s more like chaos waiting to happen. But when our hearts are full of peace, gentleness, and mercy, we reflect the kind of wisdom that builds us up instead of tearing us down. It’s not loud or boastful; it’s steady, sincere, and full of good fruit. Living wisely means being a peacemaker, planting seeds of peace that grow into a harvest of righteousness. – Where do we go from here? When we do what the reflective paragraph states, people will see it and want to know how you are able to discern or make decisions in such chaotic situations and areas of your life. What happens is the acceptance of Christ into our lives makes a huge space for the blessings of his coming into our lives, so that we will want to share what he has done for us. In doing so and working on how to navigate the world with patience, care, and the wisdom of life you have lived, you will aid the next person or people we encounter on our walks with Christ himself. He is the one who gives us the power to be able to do that thing. It doesn’t come from us personally; it comes from our acceptance of Christ himself. Not saying that a non-believer can’t have worldly wisdom, they can, but it is about dealing with how the world has treated you and not healing the wounds you have suffered from the world itself. A worldly person cannot teach or tell you how to fix the love you lost in your life. This passage of James always gets to me, because it reminds me of who I have become since he has come into my life. – Our Prayer for Today – Father, thank you for the words of your Word that we experience every day. It is a true blessing to have patience and wisdom for others who seek guidance in finding peace within themselves and you. We are so thankful for the help you have given us that we are happy to share it with others who need it as well. We should not keep it for ourselves; we should give it freely to those who are looking for it. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
When You Open Your Mouth

When You Open Your Mouth

by | Aug 19, 2025 | Community Conversations, Prayers

– Today’s Community Scripture – 8/19/2025 Don’t be in any rush to become a teacher, my friends. Teaching is highly responsible work. Teachers are held to the strictest standards. And none of us is perfectly qualified. We get it wrong nearly every time we open our mouths. If you could find someone whose speech was perfectly true, you’d have a perfect person, in perfect control of life. A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on. A spring doesn’t gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? Apple trees don’t bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don’t bear apples, do they? You’re not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you? James 3:1–12 (MSG) – Key Verse -
 With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on. James 3:9–10 (MSG) – Reflection: The key verse from James that I chose reminds us how powerful our words are and how easily they can contradict our faith. It’s striking to think that the same tongue we use to praise God can also be used to hurt other people who are made in His image. That contradiction shows a deep need for reflection and change. If we truly honor God, our speech should reflect His love, not just in worship but in how we treat others. This passage challenges us to be consistent in our words, letting kindness and respect flow from our mouths at all times. It’s a call to align our hearts with our speech, because what we say reveals what’s inside. – Where do we go from here? Knowing the power of our tongues, we can’t afford to start each day casually. Before we step into the world, whether it’s the office, the grocery store, or a tough meeting, we need to pause and check our hearts. Our words carry weight, and they either build or break. If we’re blessing God in one breath, we shouldn’t be tearing down His creation in the next. So, the move forward is intentional: we tame the tongue by first tuning our spirit. That means starting the day with prayer, reflection, and a commitment to speak life. It’s not just about avoiding harsh words, it’s about choosing words that reflect who we say we are in Christ. Let’s lead with integrity, speak with grace, and make sure our mouths match our mission. – Our Prayer for Today Father, thank You for the gift of speech and the power of words. Help us to use our tongues wisely today to speak truth with love, to be honest without being harsh, and to build up rather than tear down. Remind us that every person we speak to is made in Your image, and our words should reflect that. Teach us to pause before we speak, to listen with grace, and to respond with wisdom. Let our mouths be a source of blessing, not pain. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Faith In Action

Faith In Action

by | Aug 18, 2025 | Community Conversations, Prayers

– Today’s Community Scripture – 8/18/2025

Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, “Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department.” Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove. Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That’s just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them? Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands? Wasn’t our ancestor Abraham “made right with God by works” when he placed his son Isaac on the sacrificial altar? Isn’t it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works? That the works are “works of faith”? The full meaning of “believe” in the Scripture sentence, “Abraham believed God and was set right with God,” includes his action. It’s that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named “God’s friend.” Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works? The same with Rahab, the Jericho harlot. Wasn’t her action in hiding God’s spies and helping them escape—that seamless unity of believing and doing—what counted with God? The very moment you separate body and spirit, you end up with a corpse. Separate faith and works, and you get the same thing: a corpse.

James 2:14–26 (MSG)

– Reflection:

Faith isn’t just something we say in the open air to get respect; it’s something we show. James reminds us that believing in God means acting like it. If we see someone in need and only offer kind words without helping, our faith is empty. Real faith moves us to do something. It’s not about earning salvation, but about proving that our trust in God is alive and working. Just like a body without breath is dead, faith without action is lifeless. James challenges us to live out what we believe—because faith that doesn’t move us to act isn’t faith at all.


– Where do we go from here?

Now that we know faith must be active, the next step is simple: start moving. Look around—there’s always someone who needs help, a situation that calls for kindness, or a moment where truth needs to be spoken with love. Putting our faith in action doesn’t mean doing something huge; it means doing something real. Whether it’s checking in on a neighbor, giving to someone in need, or standing up for what’s right, these are the steps that show our faith is alive. God gave us faith not just to believe, but to build, serve, and love. So let’s walk it out—one step, one act, one day at a time.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father God, thank You for the gift of faith. Help us not to keep it quiet or hidden, but to live it out loud. Show us where we can serve, who we can help, and how we can love like You. Give us courage to act, even when it’s uncomfortable, and wisdom to see the needs around us. Let our faith be more than words—let it be movement, compassion, and truth. Teach us to walk in Your ways, step by step, with hearts full of purpose. In Jesus’ name, Amen.