Thursday, April 22, 2010

Counting it all joy....

My bible reading today included the first chapter of James. Now, let me just say that James is not one of my favorite books of the bible because well, it's in your face. I am not an in your face kind of person. But I love God's word and know He ordained each and every verse, chapter and book to be included. He had a lot to tell us, to challenge us with and to help us grow as His people.
James 1:2,3 says "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience" Verse 4 continues with, "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." We may think to ourselves when reading these verses, "What?" But God does have a plan for the trial. He knows that as we walk through the trial, that our faith will be tested. In the testing, our faith produces patience. But He doesn't stop there, He goes on to say, to let patience have it's perfect work. Can I get another "What?" It is against our human nature to let patience do anything! Just think of the times you are in a hurry and in heavy traffic, in line at the grocery store with one, maybe two checkers, etc. Yeah, God has a sense of humor.
He loves us so much though. He wants us to get to the place where we can see our trial as a blessing. This is so against our natural thinking. But that is where having the mind of Christ comes in. Spending time in His presence, reading His word, spending time with other believers, attending a healthy church on a regular basis. Even those times when we give of ourselves; Whether through volunteering in our local church on some level, making dinner for a family, helping a neighbor who is in need, helping someone we work with; giving of our time, our resources. Whatever God has placed on our hearts to do, we need to follow through with it and DO IT! Because in this, we are not only helping someone else, we are helping ourselves.
God is so faithful. He loves us enough to get us where He sees we are to be. He wants us to walk fully in the calling He has placed upon each one of our lives. He wants us to be a blessing to EVERYONE we come in contact with.
The trials are to make us better, not bitter. The trials are the testimony of God's goodness to the world. He does help us through, if we let Him. If we will allow God's peace to flood our hearts and minds. If we will allow His grace to walk us through. These are the times we need to cling to His hand and trust.
I need to admit that I am "preaching" to myself. But I want to testify that my God is faithful, He has carried me through so much. I have a testimony in the test. I have learned in spite of it all, He loves me, more than I can even imagine or grasp. Be encouraged, God does have a plan and a purpose for the trials. Keep treading the water, keep breathing through your nose, keep taking the next step. Keep going, don't stop!
I want to end with James 1:17, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. "
Be encouraged my friend. He does have good things for you.

4 comments:

  1. I have a wonderful CD teaching called: "MY FRIEND JAMES"...by Diana Hagee, and it is so good! I came to love the book of James through this teaching. Yes, life is a test and a trial...
    Faith endures trials. Trials come and go, but a strong faith will face them head-on and develop endurance. Faith obeys the Word. It will not merely hear and not do. Faith produces doers!!

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  2. I am enjoying your blog. Just tying to see if I can comment on your blog.

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  3. Yay Mom! You figured it out!! Amy, good word for today....well...and every day! I love you!!

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  4. hi amy,

    this is char (jill's sistah from another mistah, that mistah being God, our Father) I just wanted to thank you for your blog. You are right, the book of James is no joke! he didnt have time to sugar coat or tip toe. the trials are for our good, even when it doesnt feel good...thanks for the reminder :)

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