A Study In The Word
Today I am starting a weekly devotional for those who are looking for a time of study and reflection. As you go through the study come back to this blog and make comments. I’ll respond to those that are appropriate. Blessings Pastor John
A Study of the Book of James
“Draw Near To God”
Lesson One
I once heard a pastor use this illustration, “I was preaching once in a church and wanted to make a point and I said, ‘if you are perfect please stand up.’ I didn’t expect anyone to stand, but sure enough a man up front stood to his feet. I asked him, ‘sir are you perfect?’ ‘No’ he replied, ‘but my wife’s first husband was and I wanted to represent him by standing up.” It is hard to measure up sometimes isn’t it? Nevertheless, God desires that we grow in Him to perfection. There is a standard to live by!
James tells us what God’s plan is for us, “That you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (1:4). God desires that we grow up, to be mature, to be sanctified, and to become more like Jesus. Seems impossible doesn’t it, yet this is what God calls us to. So God gives a great teacher here in Pastor James as he directs us toward this perfection as he calls us to draw near to God! Where is the starting point?
How to Withstand Trials!
James 1:1-12
1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. 9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. 12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
NIV
I think we have all heard the statement, “Come to Jesus and leave all your troubles behind.” The problem with that statement is that it is not accurate. We live in an imperfect world. Trouble will come our way. Now there are two types of troubles, those that are just a part of life and those we have created for ourselves. The latter being sin and its effect on our life, so we must not be surprised by trials, but know they will come.
So why does God allows trials in our lives?
To Test Your Testimony: When we go through trials God is putting your faith on the witness stand. Does our talk match up with our walk? Trials test our heart and reveal what is there. How can we change if we don’t know what we need?
To Increase Your Endurance: We are to submit to God’s trials the way a patient submits to a surgeon. We are not to run from trials, but to run in them developing our endurance. Let me clarify here that we are to run in trials, not run to trials. We are not to look for trouble, trouble will come to you.
To Achieve Your Spiritual Maturity: God’s goal for your trials is your growth into spiritual adulthood. This will take some pain, sweat, and effort. “I want to be a physician, but I don’t want to spend all those years in medical school.” The only way you are going to be a doctor is through hard work and study.
According to Pastor James, what are at lest three responses we should have toward trials?
- Display Some Joy: Listen my friends, trials are not always fun, they can be painful, but we must look at our trials and consider what they are. We are too quick to let bitterness, depression, sadness, loneliness, and despair get us down. Instead let’s consider what God is doing and praise Him for what He is accomplishing in our life right now.
- Ask For Wisdom: Where might we find God’s wisdom? The Word, Other Christians, and etc. How must we ask God for wisdom? Remember God is bigger than your trial.
- Give God Praise. We are to give glory to God in the midst of our trials. I know a very difficult thing to do, but if you start giving God glory you will not be so focused on yourself.
If we handle our trials the way God desires for us to handle them, what’s the spiritual payoff?
God’s reward for the person who endures his trials is the crown of life, the reward of kingly glory and recognition.
Believe it or not one of the ways we draw near to God is through the trials we go through. How is that possible? God puts us in trials to draw us close, to teach us to cling to Him, to grow us into spiritual adulthood, and to bring us along in our journey toward being a perfect Christian. Let Him finish His work, and you’ll have His reward.
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Good Word!!!!