The Study of James: Chapter 1:1-8

July 21, 2009

~Denise Grant

 

James 1:2-3 -  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” While God tests us, He never provokes us to commit sin. James doesn’t say if you face trials, but when you do. He suggests we turn our hardships into times of learning. Rough times seem to teach patience – and boy, we can all use a little bit more patience, can’t we?

 

James 1: 4 - “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Few of us dare know the depth of our character until we see how we react under pressure. A few years ago, there was a sitcom on TV about a woman raising her family amidst chaos and confusion; Grace Under Fire. Well, for the past – ahem – almost 50 years, I’ve been  engaged in my own sitcom. Maybe you’ve witnessed, Denise Dealing with Difficult Demands? It shows daily.

 

Oh, it’s easy to be kind when everything is going peachy-keen, but just how kind can we be when others are treating us unfairly? Or just how lovey-dovey can we force ourselves to be when a family member leaves the freezer door open and hundreds of dollars of food thaws overnight?  Instead of complaining about our struggles, we should see them as opportunities for growth. Try thanking God for your problems or pray for strength to endure them.  Then, be patient – God will not leave you alone with your problems; He will stay close by; to help you grow.

 

James 1: 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.” James isn’t talking just about “knowledge”, but about the ability to make wise decisions in difficult circumstances. Have you mastered that yet? Nope – me either!  But the Bible makes it clear; should any of us need wisdom, we can pray to God and He will supply what we need. Christians never need to grope about in the dark, hoping to stumble upon much-needed answers. God’s wisdom is available to guide our choices. Are you struggling with a problem and don’t know what to do? Then search His Word. Wisdom begins first with respect for God – which leads to right living – which ultimately results in the increased ability, over time – to decipher right from wrong. God is all too willing to give us this wisdom. To discern God’s will, you need to ask Him to reveal it to you – (but now here’s the tricky part) – you must then be willing to do whatever He tells you to do.

 

James 1:6 – “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.. A doubtful mind is not completely convinced that God’s way is best. It wavers between feelings, the world’s ideas, and God’s commands. Doubt leaves you feeling as restless as the rolling of waves, tossed against the forces of the sea. We need to trust that God knows what is best for us. Doing so, should put all doubt to rest. The cure for a doubtful mind is wholehearted commitment to God’s reliable way.

 

James 1:7-8 – “That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord, he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” To “ask with faith” is to ask with confidence that God will align your desires with His purposes. It comes away not hoping that He will answer your prayer, but knowing and believing that it has been already answered.

 

Father God,

 

     Trials seem to happen much more than I like or seem able to even handle, but Lord, You promised to never leave me. You are always with me– ever present and it is never Your desire that I suffer or even stumble. You of course, know that I will, for when I do, You are always there with open arms to pick me up – brush me off and teach me right from wrong. Thank You Lord for caring so much about me. I love you so much.. Amen.

Denise Grant - Just "clay" in the Master Potter's hands.

 

The man who walks with God always gets to his destination.

If you have a  pulse you have a purpose.