12/17/12. James 1:1-18. PERSEVERE WITH FAITH AND WISDOM-my devotional

Key Verse: 1:5                                                                                                                                                               Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF

 * This is dedicated to all who are going through similar struggles in life….

^“5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you”

Dear Lord heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and being with me and comforting and strengthening my heart even when I feel like giving up. Help me to love those closest to me. Give us all the joy of salvation. Make the atmosphere of our home a Christian atmosphere. Help us to be teachable people who seek first the Kingdom of God his righteousness. Save us from becoming isolated individuals and to reach out to one another and to the friends you have brought into our lives. May we be truly concerned with one another. Please strengthen my heart through this passage. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Part 1: Blessed Is The Man Who Perseveres Under Trial (1-12).

Verses 1-12, “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.  ² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,  whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

I need to persevere. A definition of perseverance is “To persist in or remain constant to a purpose, idea, or task in the face of obstacles or discouragement.” (American Heritage). I don’t have many obstacles or discouragements outwardly. But I have many obstacles inwardly. In my heart there are many things that are hindering me from living out my Christian life to the full. I feel that I am unable to lead my family as a father nor to speak truth in my home.  I battle isolation in my heart. I feel helpless to form a Christian atmosphere in my home. You get the picture? These are obstacles, things that hinder my heart and push me to give up.  To me these are trials of many kinds. They are not like trials like the early Christians, who were facing all kinds of persecutions. They are inner obstacles. According to this passage I need to consider it pure joy when I face such trials. The testing of my faith will produce perseverance. Today, the word of God gives me strength to keep on and not give up. I need to remain in Christ. Even though the way is so hard…I know that with God’s help I can be mature and complete in Christ.

God promises to help me and any who come to him in faith. “ ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. ⁹ Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. ¹⁰ But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. ¹¹ For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. ¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

James encourages his readers to face trials with knowledge and wisdom (5). If we find ourselves lacking in the face of trials, we should pray and ask God who equips us. Our weapon against trials is faith. When we doubt, we are like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. Perhaps part of the trials of the scattered believers was losing their previous status and wealth. We can take pride in our humiliation because we have a reward in heaven. We can consider our lives pure joy because we have the grace of God to help us persevere and grow mature and complete, not lacking anything. Faith preserved and practiced in trials leads to victory, deeper joy, love for the Lord, and assurance of receiving the crown of life.

I sure hope this is true because trials are so painful. But in the end I know that present suffering will not last forever. There is blessing and maturity for those who persevere and endure and overcome with faith. Repeating verse 12, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”  I find comfort that I will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised. I also want all my kids and friends and extended family to receive the crown of life also. Lord, I know that you are in this with me and my family. I know that you are guiding us along the narrow path. Continue to work in our hearts and lives. Draw us to yourself. Please guide us. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Part 2: Don’t Be Deceived (13-18).

Verses 13-18, “¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴ but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. ¹⁶ Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth,  that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.”

We cannot use outside influences as excuses for sin. We are tempted by our own evil desire. God cannot tempt anyone. Every good and perfect gift comes from him. We should not see ourselves as victims but as models to the rest of the world. When we hold onto fait, we will be a type of first fruits in this world. From within us much spiritual fruit will be born in us and among us. When my household gets through this present crisis, there will be abundant fruit born. When I overcome my inner obstacles much more inner fruit will be born.

I can not blame God for any of my struggles, saying, “God is tempting me.”  Much of my own struggles have to do with my own lack of repentance, I like to sit in my own self pity (actually enjoying it to some extent.). I do not like to engage people face to face. Instead of facing things, with love in my heart, I isolate myself and wait until we all move on. This is being dragged away and enticed. May God help me to not to be deceived, but to come to Jesus can give my heart new birth and bless my heart with many spirit gifts from above. Lord, grant me and Julie wisdom on how to overcome our present dilemma amongst us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for every good and perfect gift and for choosing to give me birth through your word of truth.

One Word: Ask God who gives wisdom