Comfort Through Trials 12.16.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are studying the book of James, please read Chapters 1-5 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this link to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201-5&version=9

Today we will be reading about Christian's rejoicing through trials, hearing the Word of God; the dangers of the tongue; worldliness and pride; a warning to the rich; and the power of prayer. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that trials in life are meant to improve your relationship with God, not hinder it. It is your faith in God that allows you to overcome all afflictions and see victory.

The book of James is the 20th book/15th epistle of the New Testament and contains 5 chapters. The author of the book is James and it was written to the believers who were among the twelve tribes of Israel. The purpose of the letter was to comfort believers who were undergoing trials for their faith. What we are to learn from the book is that Faith is the foundation of works and without it works are dead.

Our attitude during difficult times tells a lot about our faith in God. Some people keep a positive attitude, no matter how difficult the situation they never give up hope of seeing a better future. Others have an attitude of desperation, they are prone to tell everyone about all their suffering, seeking as much sympothy as they can from anyone willing to listen. Yet, there are others who have a deeply negative attitude, they are prone to blaming others or even God for their problems. James address this, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." (James 1:2-6).

We can not live our lives angry and bitter or moping around because things are not going as planned. We must have faith and keep moving onward and forward. No matter how many people we tell our sorrows to unless we make a step forward we will never go any where. "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." (1:21-25).

Trials in life may seem to be an undesirable waste of time, but they are a great benefit to those who remain teachable and faithful. We really do not take kindly is being ordered to do something and insist on having things on our time and in the way we want them. Then when we are faced with trials we are quick to get angry, frustrated, and depressed over the situation, blaming others, the devil, and sometimes even God. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." (4:7-10).

The truth is that God allows all trials in an attempt to get us to seek Him for help. Trials are meant to help us get right with God, not draw us further away. "Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (5:13-16).

When faced with trials, do not get angry and walk around depressed, lift your head up high, seek God, and ask Him to help you. While you are at it try to be of help to others and pray for them too, the more you take your focus off your own problems the more blessed you will become.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
We bow in prayer before You today, and ask that You, in Your great glory give us the power to be strong inwardly through Your Spirit. We pray that Christ will live in our hearts by faith and that our lives will be strong in love and be built on love. And we pray that we will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love. We pray for our loved ones who are struggling in their faith, that they would be able to experience Your inexhaustible love, that they might be filled with Your fullness, Father. With Your power working in and through us, You can do much, much more than anything we can ever ask or even imagine. So we thank You in advance for hearing our heart’s cry and for answered prayer. In Jesus' name.......Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless and Merry Christmas,
Christina

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