On Trial

This week we are in James 1:2-8. The theme of this passage has to do with facing trials. When something or someone is on trial they are being tested to see if what is said about them is true. They are being examined to find out if the accusations are true. God, for one reason or another, decides to call the trouble and pain we face "trials". I think this speaks volumes to what God is all about. He is testing us not so that He can know that we have faith, or that our faith is right and pure, but to help us,... us to know that our faith is real.

God's passion is His people, and if you have a relationship with Him, you are one of those people. As a result, the reason He allows pain to come into our lives is so that, as James says, we might become mature and complete...now check this one..."not lacking anything." How many of you would like to be considered mature and perfect by God? I would. How many of us would want it said of us, "That person lacks nothing when it comes to living for Christ!"? Once again, my hand is up...as I'm sure yours is, too.

But here's the thing...and I love this about our God. He says that when we notice that we do lack the wisdom or the strength or the faith to do what we are supposed to do, He is not only able, but willing and excited about giving us what we need...and that is wisdom! God's grace grants us the wisdom we need to know how to handle the difficulty of this life. Every time we ask Him, He gives. He doesn't condemn us for asking. He doesn't say, "What's the matter with you? Don't know how to handle this yet? You should know this by now!" No! He is willing to give us what we need and He will always do so.

So be encouraged today, believer. Your God loves you, even in the midst of your trial. He is proving to you that you are His. And in that you can rejoice!!!!

Please leave a question or comment below, and we'll see you on Sunday!

Through the Fire

This week we will be looking at James chapter 1, verses 2-8. I want us today to look at what it means to have your faith "tested" as James puts it. The idea that I think James is referencing is that of refining of precious metals like gold or silver. When gold or silver is discovered one of the first things that happens is that it will be tested; that is, it is put through fire to see just how pure it is. As it melts down those things within the silver or gold that are not silver or gold will rise to the surface and then be skimmed off the top. Then it is allowed to cool down again and the metal is now more pure than before.

This process is done over and over again for the purposes of getting the gold or silver as close to "pure" as it possibly can be. The fire purges the things that are not precious and keeps that which is.

God does that with us when it comes to trials. We face the fire of difficulty, sickness, persecution, a wayward loved one, and we want to run from it. But friend, may I encourage you to do as James instructs us here...be joyful because you know that this pressure, this fire, is taking out of you things that God never intended to be there. He is bringing you closer to "pure" than you were when you started, and that's an awesome thing!

Read through James 1:2-8 one more time today and then thank God for the things in your life that are purging sin and impurity from your life.

Feel free to comment below or leave a question, and we will look forward to seeing you on Sunday!