August 09, 2020
Greetings and blessings to all of you. In James Chap.1:9-11 the Word reads, “let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation and the rich in his humiliation because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass its flowers falls and its beauty perishes; so also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.” Did you also know that the Word says, “for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you (by his poverty) might become rich.” 2 Cor. 8:9 I believe the ‘lowly brother’ is referring to knowing that he/she is poor in Spirit so he/she can pray for richness in the Spirit. In James 2:5 it says, “listen my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” I love the Lord because He first loved me. And also because as the second person of the Trinity, Christ is as rich as God is rich. He owns everything and possess all power, authority, sovereignty, glory, honor and majesty. Then you know what He did? He became poor; he laid aside the independent exercise of all his divineness. He left his place with God; took on human form and died on a cross like a common criminal. He took on human flesh and dwelt among sinful people as an act of impoverishment and he set aside the wealth of heaven. However, Jesus associated with the wealthy and the powerful people like Nicodemus, Zacchaeus, and the Pharisees. What does all this mean for you and I? Well when speaking of materialism, we need to learn to be content in our own material circumstances, whatever they may be. We need to learn to confront any sin that has led you to poverty or riches…such as greed, pride, laziness, injustice or theft, dishonesty, etc. Speaking on spiritual maturity, God wants us to becomes rich in spiritual matters; conducting our lives with Jesus as the center of our lives. He wants us to set our mind on the Spirit because that will give us Life and Peace. So being rich in money will fade away and give you temporary happiness; but rich in the Spirit will last forever giving you lasting Joy, Wisdom, Courage, and an Eternal Perspective. The choice is yours.
With the Love of Christ
First Lady Vivian C. Currie
Pastor ALC