Today, we get a much needed message that I have shared numerous times over the years dealing with faith and endurance. I have some questions for you; how’s your faith walk going? Does it break down from time to time? Are you hanging on not holding on? We are going to get a little advice from the book of James today on the questions before us but first we pray.
Today’s Prayer
(This is personal)
Father, I pray for blessings, and You send me opportunities! I ask for help, and You send a friend who “just happened to drop by!” In so many ways, Lord, You are there for me, sometimes before I realize that I am in over my head and need Your guidance! In big or little things, You are there. Help me to see these encounters as evidence of Your presence, Your love, and Your concern, and help me to remember always to give You thanks. More and more I realize that there is no such thing as luck or coincidence; for a believing Christian, it’s always Your shepherding presence. My life is so much richer, happier, and more peaceful, since I have recognized Jesus as my daily companion and friend! I want to share the “good news,” so that others may know Him too. Help us all to continue to grow in our faith, and to learn to praise You in all things. In Jesus’ holy name I pray, Amen.
Let’s eat.
Faith and Endurance
James 1:2-18
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements. God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
Quote of the Day
God walks with us. He scoops us up in His arms or simply sits with us in silent strength until we cannot avoid the awesome recognition that yes, even now, He is there. ~Gloria Gaither~