Verse of the Day 5/19

Verse of the Day 5/19

James 3:17-18  Holman Christian Standard Bible

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

I read today's verses in my devotions this morning and in the Holman Christian Standard Bible, the words that caught my attention were "cultivate peace."  This is the time of year when many tomato, zuchini, carrots and other vegetable plants begin to produce fruit.  Where we came from in Illinois, the soil was rich and it didn't take much more than planting the seed or seedling for a plant to grow and bare fruit. Here in North Carolina, the soil is clay and in order to have a good garden, you must work at it.  People plant in raised boxes, which have been dug out, have a layer of mesh to prevent weeds, perhaps cardboard being placed under the soil to hold moisture and then covered with fertilized topsoil.  The plants respond and there will be a harvest.

Cultivating peace as mentioned in today's verses also takes effort.  We are to be peace loving ourselves, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and showing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) in our lives.  When this takes place things will be right with God and in our "spiritual garden".

May we put forth the effort, under the power of the Holy Spirit and the grace provided to cultivate peace in our lives.

Like a river glorious is God's perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.

Refrain:
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

James 3:13-18

Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Wisdom from Above

13 Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't brag and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.