Waste Not

Re:Verse passage – James 1:1-12 (day six)

So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:4

Pastor Bryan is absolutely right, there is nothing trite or trivial about the sentiment in these verses. The hopefulness in these verses does not only point to what is on the other side of suffering, but also to the goodness of trials themselves. James is not asking us to grin and bear it, but to understand that in God’s economy he does not waste anything; for even in the moments that seek to rob us, God intends to give.

Wisdom

Re:Verse passage – James 1:1-12 (day five)  “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”  YES, AND THANK YOU!!  Just at the right moment in this passage James gives us the hope we need to wrap our hearts and minds around his exhortation to “consider joy”.  I believe the ALL is in reference to the kinds of trials. Both big and small. Don’t be confused to think that ALL means that you should only feel joy when various trials come.  Sadness, sorrow, doubt, discouragement all come our way. So what I need most, is the wisdom to process the pain, suffering, and heartbreak in a manner that will let me look through the lens of potential joy found in the promised presence of God in the midst of trials (Psalm 46) AND the promised strengthening of my faith (James 1:3-4) which helps grow endurance to take each step of faith in my race and journey with Christ. How do you “consider”? You need need wisdom. Godly wisdom. And that is what God is willing to give. Just ask.  ISN’T THAT GREAT NEWS!!

Test and See If It Is Real

Re:Verse passage – James 1:1-12 (day four)

The book of James is known as a practical application guide rather than a theological treatise.  James has multiple references to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).  The author, the brother of Jesus, must have been greatly impacted by the Lord’s sermon.  We get a glimpse of the character of James in the opening verse…  James describes himself as a bond-servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Humility characterized James’ life as he led the church at Jerusalem until his martyrdom in 62AD.

Being a practical treatise, James begins by addressing the trials that face each of us in life.  James says ‘when’, not ‘if’ trials come.  We can all expect to face trials, temptations, troubles, and tests.  According to our faith, we will respond to these trials.  If our faith is real, it will be revealed through the trials. Others will recognize our true faith.  If it is false, your faith will burn up when tested.

How do you respond when trials come?  Do you see the hand of God at work in your life?  Do you know the peace of God when you are tested?  James says, “the proof is in the pudding.”

Attentive

Re:Verse passage – James 1:1-12 (day three)

“Consider it all joy…”

Somewhere, there’s a list of irritating, irrelevant, and insulting platitudes entitled “Things to Say When You Just Don’t Want to Hear People’s Problems.” James’s statement would certainly make the list. So would Jesus’s “Do not worry about tomorrow.” And how about Paul’s “All things work together for good…?” What makes them irritating, irrelevant, and insulting is not the reality they reveal, but the way they’re often used: as a happy-talk escape hatch to avoid entering into people’s suffering. The Bible’s not trying to get anybody to look on the bright side, though. Instead, it’s declaring that hope and purpose fill the universe instead of determinism and indifference. At the center of the cosmos is a person, not an algorithm. And it’s that person – the Lord – who turns attentively to your cries of pain.

All In

Re:Verse passage – James 1:1-12 (day two)

But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. vs 6

Have you ever run for an office, tried to get a job, entered into a relationship where you didn’t really put your all into it? Where you didn’t campaign very heavily, or perhaps you were unprepared for an interview. When things don’t work out it’s not a shock, and doesn’t really surprise you, but is that how we should approach life? How can we expect to move forward with anything unless we are all in? James does not waver in this statement. If you approach the Lord, you better come with your all. Don’t leave an out for disappointment. When you don’t fully invest there is always an element of excuse. Be willing to commit fully. Jesus has committed fully to you. If you answer to the Lord’s call, go all in.

Came and Stood and Called

Re:Verse passage – Judges 2–8; 1 Samuel 3:1-11 (day seven) 

Then the Lord came and stood and called as at other times. vs 10

I love how this one short sentence shows us an in depth look into the nature of God. Look at this combination of action verbs: He came and stood and called. God is personal. He wants to be active and present in our lives. Look also at the modifier: as at other times. God is patient and persistent. Though Samuel didn’t get it the first few times, God didn’t give up on Him. He kept on coming and standing and calling. He was waiting for Samuel to hear and respond back to Him.

Do you think God is doing this for us? Do you think He is coming and standing and calling out to us? Is it possible that in the busyness of our lives we are mistaking His voice for that of the people and things we serve in the moment? God is personal, patient, and persistent. He hasn’t given up on you, He is just waiting for you to respond!

Fat

Re:Verse passage – Judges 2–8; 1 Samuel 3:1-11 (day six) 

“…you and they have become fat from the best offerings of my people Israel.” 1 Samuel 2:29 (NLT)

Their hearts are fat and gross, but I delight in your law. Psalm 119:70 (NRSV)

Eli. What was it about Eli that was so grave?  1 Samuel 2:29 gives us two reasons.  He honored his sons more than he honored God, and he got fat off the portions of meat his sons took from the people’s offerings. Furthermore, he did not take their desecration of the Lord’s offerings and the tabernacle seriously. While Eli knew the extent of his sons’ sins, he did very little to stop them. He issued them a warning, but no more.

Although Eli was nearly blind, he enabled his sons sin with his eyes wide open. His heart had become fat and gross; rather than being jealous for God’s holiness and glory, he minimized their sin.

This account gives me pause. Do I minimize my sin? Do I enjoy the promises of my sin, more than the promises of God? Have I grown fat from the glut of my own sin?

Invite the Holy Spirit to examine your own heart.

Times and Places

Re:Verse passage – Judges 2–8; 1 Samuel 3:1-11 (day five)

“Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord before Eli. Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor had the word of the Lord yet been revealed to him.”

God is about to reveal Himself to the next generation. Whether Samuel is a child or teen, we don’t really know.  What we do know is that Samuel was in the right place at the right time.

Parents, it is worth the effort to have your children in places where they are near the Lord’s presence. At home- prayer times, family devotionals, modeled service and ministry to others. At church- worship, Bible Study, VBS, Camp.

Grandparents/seniors, it’s no small task to champion and encourage kids, teens, and their parents in the same kinds of ways.  Take time to pray daily and be intentional to have spiritual conversations.

The Kingdom potential and possibilities in these young hearts and lives is as limitless as the Lord Himself.

Will you pray, will you encourage, will you speak truth into their hearts? Will you create opportunities (times and places) for the next generation to “know the Lord”?

So What?

Re:Verse passage – Judges 2–8; 1 Samuel 3:1-11 (day four)

What have we learned from the Judges?  Every good bible study needs to answer one question…”So what?”  “Now that I have studied this passage, so what…what does it mean to me today?’  What we learn from a study, we have to apply to our lives.  Looking back in review of our past 12 weeks in Judges, what have we learned and what am I going to change in my life?  Have I seen examples that I can follow or maybe to avoid?  Will I respond in faith to an assignment from God…even if it seems to be impossible?  Will I listen for the voice of God speaking to me?  “The Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”  Hebrews 4:12