WEEK 11; DAY 2
REPUTATION FOR WISDOM

James 3:13-17
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.

Do you know in the kingdom, your hard work is mostly in obedience? And only in obedience, are you counted wise.

Your race isn't measured by your colleagues but by your calling. This indicates that it doesn't matter what others are doing, how well you are doing compared to others and if others see or appreciate what you are doing. This indicates that you do the hard work of living as you should regardless of the opinions and response of others.

Don't focus so much on the rewards, though know the advantages. Make a decision to live seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness no matter what, whether you feel like it or not.

James 3:13-17
Who is there among you who is wise and intelligent? Then let him by his noble living show forth his [good] works with the [unobtrusive] humility [which is the proper attribute] of true wisdom.
But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth.
This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish.
For wherever there is jealousy and contention, there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).

I pray you make today day one in building a reputation for wisdom, revealing the kingdom to those that experience you in Jesus name, amen.

Rain in a bucket; Devotional with Toyosi
www.raininabucket.wordpress.com