November 2, 2022

FAVORITES

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

James 2:1-4 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

What is your favorite color; favorite music; favorite food? Who are your favorite authors? We all have our favorites. I like blue—I have a closet full of blue. I like country music—the lyrics are creative and usually tell a story in an interesting way. I really enjoy Chinese food. My favorite authors are Max Lucado, Mark Batterson, and John Grisham—all very creative writers. It is okay to have a favorite color, music, food, and author. However, James lets us know it is not okay to show favoritism to people based on their wealth or position in life. I think if James wrote this today, he might include favoritism shown based on the color of someone’s skin, their political party affiliation, their education level, or their job position. It is sad that for the most part churches across America tend to be very segregated. They are segregated mostly by skin color and/or political party affiliation. Sometimes they are also segregated by financial status. It seems to me that if we are seeking to be followers of Jesus, we should find ourselves capable of worshipping with people from a variety of backgrounds, skin colors, political attachments, financial status, and educational levels. Jesus seemed comfortable with the rich and poor. He was willing to minister to the Jews and the Gentiles. There are not different parts of heaven based on skin color, education, or any other earthy divisions. Let’s start practicing heaven here on earth by learning to respect each other and learn from each other.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit help me to see everyone the way You see them. Forgive my prejudice and help me to love all men.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”