DATE POSTED
Monday, January 13, 2025, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa at Hunter Road, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Quoted from the Living Bible (TLB) and found in James 2:1; 4; 13;

THE SCRIPTURE READS
¹ Dear brothers, how can you claim that you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, if you show favoritism to rich people and look down on poor people?
⁴ judging a man by his wealth shows that you are guided by wrong motives.
¹³ for there will be no mercy to those who have shown no mercy. But if you have been merciful, then God’s mercy toward you will win out over his judgment against you.

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I believe that I have included enough Scripture from James 2 that you may be provoked into reading the whole chapter! But dear friends, it become evident that God wanted to remind me to not overlook any of His children because of certain prejudices I may have developed over my lifetime. It was just yesterday that I included in my notes from our pastor’s sermon ‘Who am I that God would use me’, for Pastor had shared how his young adult church family could never imagine him being called into God’s ministry, because of his past history. Many of us can identify with this story, because we know that our past gave no indication of how God could use even us to spread His Word to a lost and dying world after being redeemed by His blood. Remember, God also used Saul in the most amazing way in his new identity as a child of God and with his new name – Paul. Yet, we tend to look down our noses in sinful pride when we hear of God speaking to an unlikely candidate for salvation. We often say, ‘I can’t imagine what caused that bum to leave the street corner long enough to come in and disrupt our church service by walking in here like that’, don’t we? The sad thing is that we may not say that often enough, because we’ve not been on the street corners spreading the love of Jesus with those individuals. Furthermore, and even worse, we have created such an elite group in our churches that, should a poor and destitute person walk through our doors, we may approach them quickly to ask if they lost their way. But, what about the one who struts in, very proudly, often over dressed, who came in from their expensive car out in the parking lot? Don’t we make every effort to show them the best seat in the house and make every effort to help them feel welcomed? What might be our ‘wrong motives’ that James speaks of in verse 4? Although this may not have been planned, or intentional, I believe that our sixth sense kicks in as we recall the financial woes of our church, and the intimidation we’ve always felt about being the poorest church in town, filled with just humble people who manage to make it through life financially. Wouldn’t it be God-like to instead feel overjoyed that God has caused the rich and the poor alike to hear of His love for them and want to attend our church to learn more about Him and His amazing sacrifice for their sin? Friends, let us never forget that God has ordained it that we go into all the world and share His Gospel truth with everyone. This means with the poor, so that they might be encouraged to know that God, and His people loves them and want to see them in heaven alongside His many other children, rich and poor. The rich should also know this, for this gives them a reminder that God opened doors for them to gain financial means so that they might help those who are less fortunate and help those who strive to reach the lost for Jesus Christ. Be reminded today that God saves people who seek Him and accepts His precious love for mankind, and He does this without looking into their pocketbook first. As children of this loving Father, we too must learn to love, care about, and lead ALL mankind to the saving grace of our loving God through His Son, Jesus. All will be equal in the sight of God when we kneel at His feet in glory, so should we be here on earth.

PRAYER
What a wonderful reminder today, dear Lord. When things are going amazingly well we find it challenging to understand the struggles others are having. When things are challenging for us, we tend to feel depressed about the success of others and their ability to keep their heads up as they rejoice in the joys of life. Often this is impacted by finances where it appears like the poor is looked down on while the rich is abundantly blessed. I believe that You, Lord, forego the pocketbook and look directly at the heart, and I want so badly that Your followers will follow in Your example. Your servant, James, really challenged my heart today, and I pray that the thoughts You have impressed upon me to share will only serve to reinforce what James shared. Please teach us to always follow in Your ways, and to always look at the heart of a person without allowing distractions from any other source. May we be known to love as You love – unconditionally and from a heart of grace and mercy, just as You loved us while we were yet sinners. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. I would also suggest that you speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com and share your good news! Perhaps one of God’s servants will pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that, while also growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!