Originally, the plan was to do verses 16-18 today. Then I started to read more into the study notes, and ponder the whole of 1-18. Because of that I am stopping here today. What a fitting verse. In the face of trials and temptations, do not be deceived.
Oh how this encapsulates so much of my heart for this study. Do not be deceived dear sisters! Of what the world offers or social media trends too. Do not be deceived by false teachers! Jeremiah 23:16- 17 we read, " Thus says the LORD of host: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, "It shall be well with you;and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, "No disaster shall come upon you."" Since ages past the world has been full of false teachers. I think of right now in the pandemic how many main stream teachers.. before Covid- trying to claim 2020 to be the year of vision; now trying to rewrite their prophecies to what 2020 has become- a constant reminder that God and God alone is in control.
2020 has been a perfect reminder that all of us will go through trials. Not one of us has been untouched in a serious way. Loss of income, or jobs, or people in our lives. Loss of normalcy, vacations or the expected beat of summer into fall. We have taken on roles we never intended too, or perhaps never wanted. And if we fail to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus we will find ourselves deceived. A popular quote from the book Girl, Wash your Face, author Rachel Hollis states, "You and only you, are ultimately responsible for who you become and how happy you are." I cannot think I of more utter non-biblical rubbish being passed off as Christianese to the unassuming Christian woman looking for a light read- or what this is listed as...self help. This is so counter to what we are reading- James tells is to consider it a joy when various trials come our way. Hollis recommends getting up, washing your face and taking the bull by the horns. Friend- I beg you to flee from this. We are not to be in pursuit of happiness but of Joy. One comes as a result of temporal fruit of getting what we want- one comes as a fruit of understanding what we have IN Christ.
The news cycle, social media and bad internet theology is running a muck. In a time where we are all under various trials, I urge you to not be deceived, beloved sister! To look to Jesus the Author and Sustainer of our faith. Tomorrow we will finish up 16-18 and see the glorious beauty of placing our hope in the Lord... whom there is no variation or shadow of change, whom is only capable of giving good and perfect gifts; of whom and through whom we have been called child. Because Jesus is enough- dear sister, do not be deceived.
Sermon for today: Faith in the Fire James 1:1-18
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