Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Our Reading titled Parking Lot Quarrel was written by Leslie Coe.

The scene in the parking lot might have been funny if it wasn't so tragic.

Two drivers were arguing loudly over one of their cars that

was blocking the passage of the other, and harsh words were being exchanged. What made it especially

painful to watch was that this quarrel was taking place in the parking lot of a church. The two

men had possibly just heard a sermon about love, patience, or forgiveness, but it was all

forgotten in the heat of the moment. Passing by, I shook my head. Then quickly realized I was no

better. How many times had I read the Bible, only to fall into sin moments later with an

uncharitable thought. How many times

had I behaved like the person who James Chapter 1 says looks at his face in a mirror, and after

looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. James was calling on his

readers not only to read and reflect on God's instruction, but also to do what it says.

A complete faith, he noted, means both knowing Scripture and putting it into action.

Life circumstances can make it hard to apply what Scripture reveals, but if we ask the Father,

he'll surely help us obey his words

and please him with our actions.

Today's Our Daily Bread Devotional Scripture reading is from James Chapter 1,

verses 19 through 27. My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this.

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human

anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and

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