James 1:5-8

The focus today will be on 7 and 8 but concluding the statement of 5-8 together. I think it is fitting on a Friday that we be left with something to ponder, pray through and meditate on. 

James says to ask in faith, not wavering. The KJV says for verse 8 "a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." It is easy to glaze over this and assume they are not talking about, well us. But James is talking to the Christian in this passage. Not those who are unsure if they believe in God- but those who claim Christ yet seem to waver between trusting in the Lord and holding onto the mandates of man. The Reformation Heritage Study Bible says this, " Literally, double-heartedness, the opposite of wholeheartedness or single-mindedness. It is the disposition that pulled a person in two directions instead of turning decisively from this world and its gods towards the Lord."

Woah. This caused me to take a big pause. How many times do trials come my way and do I seek the council of others- first. Seeking council is not wrong- in fact it is wise to go to sister in Christ or an elder or a mentor when you have trials of various kinds. This is talking about choosing to not go to Christ FIRST. And if the council you seek conflicts with the truth of Scripture- to take the opinion of man over the Word of God. We allow ourselves to become double-minded. Social media is such an easy demonstration of this. We watch how other 'believers,' live their lives and then your their choices as our morality gauge- instead of the teaching and preaching from the Word. So we allow ourselves to be conformed even the the "christian world," instead of Christ! We can make religion an idol and cling falsely to idolatrous ways. And is this not the point of James? Distinguishing between true and false religion?

We have a saying in our home when we feel off track. When our behaviors, or the kids obedience, or kindness/ or lack there of, or our screen time...or whatever feels off track. We say we need to right the ship. The beauty of the Lord is He doesn't make us go adrift till we crash, we can right the ship immediately. We can reset our gaze towards Christ, repent for the areas we have stumbled and struggled and redirect our vessel towards the One who commands the waves.

This weekend- may we examine the trials in our life, may we see the areas where we have put up created gods for comfort or surety in times of trial; and may we align our hearts to the Lord. May we identify areas we are not single-minded and ask Christ to be our center and the Anchor of our souls. 

Worship: His Mercy is More.

James 1:6

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea tossed by the wind. James 1:6

This verse says a lot. I have found it hard to study as I find it so convicting. We are reading through James who is telling us to consider it a joy when we have trials, to ask God for wisdom within the trials, knowing that He will give generously to those who ask of Him; and now, to ask in faith not doubt.

The study Bible I use noted this morning in my reading of the Old Testament that trust is a key old testament word for faith. "With the idea of finding security, safety, or confidence." It was in a passage discussing trusting in the Lord. With that understanding look at verse 6, but let him ask in faith... let him trust...let him find security, without doubting. AHK. So convicting to me. I have become painfully aware lately that I pray absent of faith, which is painful to even admit out loud. I again am startled each time God moves. This is heart breaking for me to realize, for oh how bad I desire to not just say I trust God but to walk daily in that trust.   

How many times do we go to the Lord and put our prayer and situation in His hand, but fail to leave it there- we run back and take it out. Or run back to take a peak, or start questions Him as to why He is or isn't doing what we had expected. 

Psalm 37 says, commit your way to the Lord, wait patiently on Him, and He will act. Psalm 111 reminds us that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have good understanding."

When we can take our trials, our needs, our day to the Lord we are able to walk in steadfast hope and confidence. Not because we did the right thing- but because we are turning it over to a God who is able. We take our eyes off of ourselves and fix our eyes on our Savior. When we keep our heart and hope and eyes set on eternity and the hope and holiness of God- it gives us peace and faith...and joy. 

In Jeremiah 18 the people say that they will turn to their own devices..".they are so engrossed in themselves that they have no time for God or his messengers (Reformation Heritage Study Bible)."

Let that not be said of us, that when trials get tough we forsake our Lord and turn to a god we make ourselves- one intent to give us health, wealth and happiness. One that we only keep as a good luck charm and a magic 8 ball to shake our bible, flip it open to any page and smack our finger down, claiming that as our answer. Let false religion not turn us into waves going up on religious highs and crashing low when we feel we aren't getting our best life now. 

Matthew Henry says this regarding verse 6 " That oneness, and sincerity of intention, and a steadiness of mind, constitute another duty required under affliction: He that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind, and tossed. To be sometimes lifted up by faith, and then thrown down again by distrust- to mount sometimes towards the heavens, with an intention to secure glory, and honour, and immortality, and then to sink again in seeking the ease of the body or the enjoyments of this world - this is very fitly and elegantly compared to a wave of the sea, that rises and falls, swells and sinks, just as the wind tosses it higher or lower, that way or this. A mind that has but one single and prevailing regard to its spiritual and eternal interest, and that keeps steady in its purposes for God, will grow wise by afflictions, will continue fervent in its devotions, and will be superior to all trials and oppositions. "

May today we find Christ as our sure and steady anchor. 

Worship: Christ the sure and steady anchor

James 1:5 (part 2)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Let him ask God... this struck me as it did the first portion of the study. We should not just assume we are given wisdom within the gift of salvation. It is something that we are to ask for! And- how infrequently do I ask?! I truly struggle to pause and petition God. Which makes me realize moments of peace and joy I miss out on because I don't ask for wisdom from the Giver of good. 

God gives to all generously- and without approach. This is truly a need to pause moment. Do we believe that? Do we truly believe if we ask God He will answer back generously and without reproach. This can expose some serious theological and doctrinal misconceptions or just feelings we place on God that are not true- because maybe we are creating a version of God that is not biblical. Today it is often preached that God is waiting to bless you...usually that blessing is being assumed to be health, a new job, wealth, prosperity.... but what if the blessing is wisdom under pressure? Eyes to see Christ in all circumstances? Deep down- are we satisfied with that as the answer to our prayers? What if the trial is not removed? Or in fact gets worse. Are we able to reach out to Him who is able; and trust him through it?

Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord; whose trust is the Lord. Woah. Read that slowly. Who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord. That is profound. Because we can in one breath say we trust in the Lord but in another breath put our trust in the ______. Outcome, circumstance,fixing of... I find myself doing this- I say I trust in the Lord but then I try to help, or move along or freak out when it seems not going the way I foresaw it. 

Jeremiah goes on. Verse 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when the heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious for the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. 

What a powerful reminder. To him who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is in the Lord- he has peace- and faith in times of trial (drought). Verse 9 reminds us that the heart is deceitful above all things... In times of trials it is so unwise to go with our emotions. Or to follow our heart! Scripture is teaching us to follow the Lord. What are areas you struggle with this truth?

My favorite verse to cling to in times of trials is Psalm 33:20-22. Let your steadfast love oh Lord be upon us...even as we hope in you. It helps me to realign when I realize I am trusting in circumstantial outcomes for my satisfaction or peace rather than Christ Himself. 

The beauty of James 1:5 reminds us that the Lord gives generously. Without reproach. He is not waiting to condemn us because we need wisdom. He knows we need it. He is not waiting to lecture us about how long it took to turn to him, he is waiting to give generously to those who ask. Today what trials are you needing to turn to God for wisdom and strength?

Worship today: God the Uncreated One

James 1:5 Part 1

We are back in James! Yay! As I read through it over and over during our vacation break I found myself struck again and again with how pertinent this is right now. That the chaos around us has to me never made this book more important. 

As we studied the first few verses we learned going into James that this is considered the Proverbs of the NT. Also that is can be seen as a commentary on the Sermon on the Mount. I found myself the past two weeks listening to messages both on the book of James but also Sermon on the Mount. It was incredibly helpful to see the link between the two of them. Pastor Nate Pickowicz of New Hampshire is currently preaching through the Sermon on the Mount- if you go to SermonAudio.com and look up my preacher you can find his current study. 

This brings us to verse 5 which I think will take several days again to unload. 5-8 is often put together as a fluid thought. 

V5a But if any of you lacks wisdom...

This can be said of all of us. None of us has perfect wisdom. And wisdom is something we will learn that is a gracious thing to request. And God will give it to us without reproach! These verses are written after discussing the various trials and before the portion on temptation. Wisdom is needed desperately for both.

How many times, especially under pressure or within a season of hardship to we find we lack wisdom and go off of emotions, or feelings or reactions to the situation? Wisdom requires a pause, a request for it and then to see the circumstance through the eyes of the Lord. There are SO many situations that I can look back on and think- if only I had thought to turn to the Lord first...instead of myself. Or people around me.Or what the world deems correct...What would that trial have looked like had I fallen on the feet of the one who brings comfort and joy? Probably a lot better. 

So it is now- I look at our incredibly tense world. It feels a powder keg lately just waiting for the next thing. And people are frightened, angry, loud, emotionally driven and as we will read tossed too and fro. James teaches us it does not need to be this way. That if any of us lack wisdom, we may request it.

Wisdom from the Lord is a gift. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 9:10.What does that mean? That when we set our eyes on God, when we fear him (as in see Him as a righteous and holy God, not like us, but for who He is) then we start to gain wisdom. Solomon was allowed to make one request- anything in the world- and he requested wisdom.

We live in a Jesus+ culture and mentality. During trials, if we are honest with ourselves, we don't feel Jesus is enough. We need Jesus + coffee. Or Jesus + more money. Or Jesus + health. Or Jesus + everything fixed. When we ask for wisdom, we are able to see through a faith filled lenses that Jesus is enough. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 says Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all our ways acknowledge Him and he will direct our paths. In times of trials- are we able to pause and trust in the Lord? Do we ask for wisdom in trials or for it to simply be over so we can go back to "Happy." Happy is a fickle emotion based on how we perceive our life and circumstance- but JOY is a fruit of the Spirit that can can be embraced in the darkest of hours and the longest of nights. "For weeping may last through the night His joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5b" In 2 Corinthians we read for our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison.

May we see in ourselves areas where we ask for wisdom and as we read tomorrow ask the Lord for it trusting He will give it freely. 

James 1:4 Concluding meditations

So, literally today I am having to chose joy! We have faced many external trials since 6am and its okay! Bruce and I talked and prayed this morning how its no coincidence that we are learning what it means to be steadfast and lets testings have their work in us. 

Already the past few days I have seen areas in my life that the trials have shown I need to be deeper in scripture. Areas where I have weaknesses that I can buy into lies instead of Truth. My cousin reminded me yet this morning- keep your eyes fixed! Is this not so true?! When Jesus is Enough, when we live with 'eternity stamped on our eyes,' than Christ not just become but is our source of and ultimate joy. Whether here on earth or joined together eternally in death- He becomes our satisfaction.

And James, writing to a dispersed church knows this is the case. Count it all joy my brethren...

After studying it so in depth my eyes well with tears as I truly think on what these words mean. I wonder did they echo in his own heart as he stood knowing he would be thrown to his death? Did they motivate him every day? Did they serve as balm to the tired and weary soul of the early church? They were watching their leaders drop around them, they had to cling to the thought that Jesus is who He says He is; that He came and died and rose from the dead...and is coming back again. 

Philip- was crucified; Matthew and Paul- beheaded; Barnabas burned to death; Mark dragged to death; Thomas speared; Luke- hung and Peter and Andrew- crucified. They did not die for nothing. The died for the sake of the Gospel. They counted Christ worthy. I can't help but wonder if we feel the same?

In all honesty I wanted to entitle this post- since when have Christians become such jerks? Social media has made me sad and angry. And it is not coming from the world. It is coming from within the church walls. People being cruel, impatient, unkind. Needing to post and boast their opinions and belittle others for theirs and prove points of NON eternal affairs. Oh, if only we were so concerned about sound doctrine as we were the science behind masks. The church has long been able to share the gospel by being Christ to one another within the walls of the church- looking so different it radiates out and people can see they are different. 

When we stop looking within- and start looking up- we can take these daily trials brought on by Covid, and government and political ideologies as moments to practice joy. That we can chose Christ and love Christ and then love others as Christ has loved us. 

And it can start with us, in our hearts and in our homes. When I feel stress to I react towards my kids or husband or am I able to demonstrate the joy set before me? This is a big test point because I can get anxious and very snappy. But I do not desire that. I desire for my family to know who Christ is by how I love them; not from human emotions but from truths charged by  God's Word.

We are taking a 2 week break and I feel it timely. Sister- challenge yourself. Joy is a fruit of the spirit...is it evident in your life? Make a list, write down areas you struggle to chose joy and react in ways that are contrary to what you want to demonstrate. I want to leave you with these prayers of scripture:

Colossians 1:11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy...

Romans 12:11-12 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

And Ephesians 3:14-19 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith- that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Worship: God the Uncreated One, Wake up

Who for the joy

James 1:1-4

Today has been the struggle bus for me already. Actually this whole week has been. I find myself...in trials; and despite this study I find myself not responding with consistency in joy. Anxiety, yup. Fear, why certainly! Lack of trust...yup. 

Joy- there are glimmers when I slow down to remind myself of who God is- but this is not my steady pattern. And I am suffering through it. 

Today in my quiet time I was reminded of God's goodness and care for us. Reminded that He loves us and is our steadfast rock and our redeemer. Psalm 94 reminds me, "When I thought, "my foot slips," your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up...When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul."

When I was scrambling God settled my heart through his word. He doesn't make us finish out the current trial in whatever sinking state we are in, he declares He is good and enough- and to return our gaze to him! 

And let steadfastness have its full effect...I am feeling this so much. It is a magnifying glass sometimes to every way I DON'T trust in God during trials. My what ifs conflict with His I AM's. It can be a very vulnerable place to be. Especially for doubt to creep in. I realized this week- and many others lately I pray without expectation, and then am shocked when God answers. Its humbling to even say that out loud. Do you ever find yourself in that? Praying but then surprised that God hears our prayers?

Colossians 1:11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy...

This is my prayer for us as we journey through James and as each of us face trials of our own. 

Worship with me: O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

And let steadfastness...

Verse 4: And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing. 

And let steadfastness have its full effect...

     we will go deeply into this the next few days before hitting our 2 week pause on the study. James started this thought with stating we should count it all a joy when various trials come our way, for we know that the testing of our faith produces steadfastness.

He will now go deeper into this meaning- and it is both exciting and humbling. Verse 4 gives us a very clear picture of how a person saved by grace responds in the times of trials. The mark of a believer. This is not saying that we will be perfect- nor is that conveyed in the word "perfect," as we will discuss tomorrow. It means that the hope of our joy, the anchor of our soul, the Rock of our foundation is now and forever will be CHRIST.

Reverend McCleoud in his James series says," Once bad times can be consistently counted as joy in Jesus...and faith is battle-tested and rising day by day in Jesus...and a walk is steadfast, unmovable and always abounding in Jesus...The Christian has EVERYTHING.  The full effect of steadfastness is a Christian who understands that JESUS IS ENOUGH. He or she will understand that everything we see around us is temporary. We begin to live for another place!"

Again Philippians 3:8 Paul understands this as he boasts in the Lord- teaching us through example to count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of Christ...that he might gain Christ! Paul is a man who has put everything into his hope of the Gospel. That Jesus is the Christ! That He now sits at the right hand of the Father. Paul, James, Peter, Timothy, Mary, Priscilla.... they all show us, teach us, and exemplify to us lives that have been changed by the truth of the Gospel. That Jesus is enough. 

We might say that we are Christians- but does our lives testify to it? Are we using this time of aching and chaos and loneliness and confusion to point others, through the testimony of our own walks, to the one who is worthy? To the only One who can give us hope? Who is the only one who can quench the thirst that so many are dying of with a living water?! Have we become yet, the woman at the well- who when she encounters the Messiah runs to tell the others? OR, are we using our friendships, media platforms and time for other uses and other diatribes? Friend if you are a believer.... you have the glorious hope of the Gospel within you and abounding in you and the ability to offer it to others! Everything else around us is temporary- in a world full of suffering- offer HOPE. 

Because through every trial, wave and storm- JESUS IS ENOUGH.

Worship today: Oh love that will not let me go

ALSO- here is a link to the FREE audio reading of John Piper's book: Coronavirus and Christ.