Leaders blog – a look at James

The purpose of this blog is to look at the qualities and challenges of a leader and hopefully grow as women who desire to serve God in ministry.  We are starting in the book of James because I really feel this is a great no nonsense book that really goes to the heart of leaders. I will write my thoughts on the passage and hopefully we will interact on what the Lord is showing us as we grow and serve Him.

1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:  Greetings. NIV

The book of James starts with the address from a servant to those who by persecution have been scattered among many nations. I truly see myself first     as a servant of our Lord. It is best to remember that is what we are – servants of our Lord. His friend – yes – but to live as Jesus lived and to truly say “I am doing what I hear my Father telling me to do”, needs to be our goal.  In Ephesians it says to find out what pleases God, which is what Jesus modeled for us, as He became a servant of the Father. Ephesians 5:8-10 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.NIV

In His most difficult hours Jesus reveals for us that a walk of obedience with God requires that we do what He wants us to do even when it will cost us everything and is not what we would like to do. Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” To truly ‘lay down’ our life for Him is a hard walk and not necessarily fun, but definitely the most fulfilling. For without the willingness to do what the Father asked Him to do, there would not have been the glory of the resurrection.

So whatever the cost we press on to the obedience of serving God with our whole lives and being willing to lay down our will and desires to serve Him. The rewards of obedience are many but for me the greatest is a greater intimacy with Jesus…

Matt 12:49-50  For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” NIV

We get elevated from a servant to family!

Ephesians 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. NIV

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