FRIDAY - October 16

Read. James 4:11-12
11 Brothers and sisters, don’t say evil things about each other. Whoever insults or criticizes a brother or sister insults and criticizes the Law. If you find fault with the Law, you are not a doer of the Law but a judge over it. 12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, and he is able to save and to destroy. But you who judge your neighbor, who are you?

Reflect. Earlier this week, we read Jesus’ words about the peril of setting ourselves up as judge of other peoples’ hearts and motives (cf. Matthew 7:1-5). The apostle Paul wrote forcefully that we need to trust God to set right what is wrong, rather than trying to do it ourselves (cf. Romans 12:18-21). And James put it bluntly and succinctly: “There is only one lawgiver and judge ... you who judge your neighbor, who are you?”
• In Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White, Pastor Adam Hamilton wrote, “[James’ counsel about our words] does not mean we are not to practice discernment. Nor does it mean that we should remain silent in the face of wrongdoing. Yet we can make known our disagreements with others while doing so in love and with respect for the other.” When have you seen disagreement handled in love and with respect? When have you been able to do that yourself?

• As you discuss political candidates, are you ever tempted to use words like “crook,” “weakling,” “drunk,” “womanizer” or “fool” about a candidate when all you really know for sure is that you disagree with one or more of that person’s positions? If you find such words (or dozens of others in the same vein) on the tip of your tongue this fall, remember James’ pointed question: “You who judge your neighbor, who are you?”
• Pray.  Dear Jesus, you knew about corrupt and unaccountable leaders in your day. But you preached the Kingdom, the rule, of God. Keep me, too, focused on what ultimately matters. Keep me from being bogged down in human bickering. Amen.

COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST

Doug Lawson. Collier. Glenn Ethridge. Adam Funderburk.  Mary Reber.  Linda Harmon. Betty Carolyn Ward. Albert Rasanke. Lois Robinson. Ross Henley. Tiny & Donald Creasman. Bill and Barbara Buchanan. Bonnie Brenner. Baker Family. Robert McKenzie Family. Kibler family. Carolyn Harlow. Jeff Green. Earl Graves. Mickey Huff. Huff & Welch families. Helen Leigh. Paul Huffman. Schools, Teachers, Staff, Parents, Students. Church regathering plans. Layman family. Charlene Withrow. Brandon Casteel. Dirk Orr family. Smith family. Crowder family. Lillard family. Family of Floyd Eaton. Family of Eddie Rynes. Robertson Family. Harmon Family. Nancy Ryan & family. Bobby Roberts. Elizabeth May & family. Melvin Rinehart. Susan Rogers. Brandon Haugh.

Acknowledgement:
Our current teaching series, The Power of Words, was adapted from a series developed by our partners at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection and used with permission. Many of the resources and graphics are provided by our partners. During this series, our Read.Reflect.Pray. guide publishes the daily devotional guide (called Grow, Pray, Study) from our partners with minor adaptation.