James 1:19-20

Scripture: James 1:19-20

19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

  

Observations:

This passage makes me think of how talkative I am.  I don't always feel like a good listener (I've been told I am but sometimes I dont see it from here). I need to make sure I'm slower to speak (without stifling my personality! The Lord loves my personality, He crafted it) but rather more CAREFUL with what I say. Also working on being a better listener and not letting distractions get in the way of my paying attention, or my own responsive thoughts stop me from listening. With anger it's funny how sometimes I'm so slow to be angry, yet there are some tiny things that get me fired up. Prime example is my phone when it goes crazy. It's gonna be great for me to be away from a cell phone for 11 months haha!

 

Application:

Just looking into our own lives and seeing those 3 areas... what comes out of our mouths, how good we are at listening, and how quickly and what causes us to be angry. We need to not just "acknowledge" those issues, but also make intentional moves to correct them. If we need to make amends to somebody we've hurt because of those 3 things, that may be another good way to apply this verse.

 

Prayer:

Father, we are so thankful that You are slow to anger with us! We sometimes are the very opposite of verse 19. I praise You for bearing with the works-in-progress that we are, and allowing trials to reveal those areas and refine us. Help us to take the extra moment to think before we speak or become angry, and to be careful listeners. We love You and we want to live the righteous lives You desire. In Christ's name I pray, amen!

James 1:13-14

Scripture: James 1:13-14
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 one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
 
Observations:
Reading this verse, it almost seems so obvious: God doesn't tempt anybody. Well of course not! But people tend to push the blame for their evil desires on others and even God. I also thought back to Genesis, how the conversation went after Eve ate the apple. It was such a blame-game! Adam blamed Eve for giving the apple to him, and Eve blamed the snake. Nobody said "My fault! I knew better and shouldn't have done that!" which is the whole point. It's easier to pretend we're ignorant sheep than to admit we have our own evil desires.
 
Application:
What are your current temptations? What are we tempted to do that we know is evil but are playing dumb about? During the busy times for me, I am tempted to be lazy. Laying down horizontally while I could be organizing/cleaning/running/being productive. I think "enticed" is a perfect word haha it's like my bed is saying "Heleeeenaaaaaa you're sooo tiiiired!" haha when I know I had good rest, and there's more I should be doing. God isn't tempting me. My bed isn't tempting me. My own evil desire to be lazy and squander time is what's enticing. I have to turn on upbeat music, not put on pjs, and be intentional with my time.
 
Prayer:
Lord forgive us for caving into our evil desires, whatever they are, and knowing better. Help us to have the discernment between a temptation and a trial. Give us wisdom to walk away from temptation, and courage to walk through trials in Your strength. Forgive us also for blaming others and You when we stumble on our own sin. We love You and we long to obey You wholeheartedly. In Christ's name I pray, amen.

James 1:12

Scripture: James 1:12
12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Observations:
Not only will we be mature and complete, but we're going to be rewarded as well! It's so easy to forget that there's a reward. I know I do! There's a crown of life promised to us who love the Lord. Trials are to be viewed as blessings, since there is a reward! Another thing I thought was that this promise is to those who love God... we are to keep a loving attitude toward God through trials. Sometimes we pull away from Him, or question His authority, or even become angry at Him, only to regret our behavior later.

Application:
As I go through trials that test me (especially my patience, oh my goodness), I'm going to try to be more loving toward God. Praise Him more, and thank Him more, as opposed to what I fall into which is questioning His plan. I find myself asking "What is this going to accomplish? Why is it taking so long? Why is this so difficult?" and I need to make sure those questions take on a loving, prayerful, pleading tone.
 
Prayer:
Father, thank You so much for growing our group of women this fall. I pray for all the trials we are going through, all the worries, fears, and struggles that weigh on us. God I ask that You help us and give us strength. I pray for pure joy in these trials, and that we can be loving to others and in our attitude toward You. Let us be comforted with the hope of your promise! In Jesus' name I pray, amen!

James 1:3-4

Scripture: James 1:3-4
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4 Perseverance must  finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Observations:
I was having a conversation a couple of days ago about exactly this: that only through hardships can we develop perseverance. The Lord grows us and refines us through trials, and this is why we should consider them pure joy. It means we are growing. I've had a friend ask me "Helena, does God always make something go wrong? It feels like things aren't ever all right? There's always a kid sick, or a problem at work, or money running short, or the job I can't get, or my car breaks down, or a stressful situation... Is that how God works?" and a little part of me winced because well... we are living in a very broken world. Heaven isn't here. And until we get there, Jesus did warn us that we will have trouble in this world! But He also told us to take heart, because He's overcome the world. We are called to persevere through trials with hope and joy, and these trials will mature us and make us more faithful and Christ-like in the end. We are works in progress!

Application:
I always think to look back at trials I've gone through, and see how much God taught me through it. It always gives me perspective to remember how the Lord used my trials to make me trust Him more. For a whole semester in college, my financial aid didn't come in. There was a clerical error, and it didn't come in until November 28th! I remember trusting in the Lord to provide, and He did. It's hard to doubt Him with money after that! I know He is so faithful to provide for my needs! He tested my faith while I persevered that semester. It gives me hope through the fundraising madness I'm facing now, that He's called me to missions and He will provide. Just in the last 4 days, I've had 5 people (very unlikely, random people I haven't seen in years, or ever expected to help me!) say "Helena, I want to support your mission trip!" and I fought back tears. I didn't even ask those people, God laid it on their hearts. When He tests your faith, however He does it, expect Him to deliver you and provide :) He always does. That's what the next verses are about, which I love!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank You this morning and praise You for your provision in our lives. You created us, and blessed us with the people we have in our lives. You continue to sustain us and give us hope. God, I pray You keep growing us. Lord, I pray we don't stray from You and always realize how desperately we need You, even in the moments when the trials are small. I ask that You give us strength, comfort, patience, and JOY in the trials we are facing today. Let us see Your hand at work in our lives. In Christ's name, Amen.

James 1:1-2

Scripture: James 1:1-2 
1 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, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

Observations:
The words pure joy always stand out to me when I read verse 2. PURE JOY?

Joy, per Merriam-Webster, means the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : delight. We are supposed to feel delight, and be as happy as if we desired the trials we face?

When it segways into verse 3 (tomorrow) it makes more sense, and explains why we should feel this joy, and what trials accomplish for us! Rather, what God accomplishes in us through trials.

Application:
Think of the trials you are facing today. Can you see God at work in you through those trials?
My current trial is preparing for the mission trip. It's so easy to be overwhelmed while I'm planning what vaccines to take, how to do missionary medical insurance, obtaining camping gear, all the while fundraising, moving, marathon training, and keeping in touch with everybody. Just typing that was stressful haha! I have to keep submitting everything to God, and remember that He's gonna workout all the details! It's HIS plan for me that I go, so He will get me there :)

Prayer:
Father, I pray that You help us to be joyful through our many trials. I ask that You give us comfort and peace while we face hardships. We know You're sovereign, and You will take care of us and refine us. Help us to trust and praise You no matter the circumstances. In Christ's Holy name I pray, Amen!