This evening, I am sharing a devotional on James 1:2-8 with our small group. Here are some thoughts on this passage . . .
We have a tendency to try to get out of trouble prematurely. We want to do everything and anything we can to get out of hot water. To find a way of escape. But often, God wants us to remain in that situation. God wants to use our troubles.
In verse 3, James writes, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
The Greek word that is translated “patience” in the NKJV is hupomone (hopeful endurance, patient endurance, waiting), derived from hupomeno (to stay under, remain, persevere, endure).
God uses our troubles to put our faith to the test. To prove and strengthen our faith. God does not use our troubles to impair us but to improve us.
In verse 4, James conrtinues, But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
God uses our troubles to bring us to spiritual maturity. We must learn to submit to the will of God. Have no way but His. To resist avoiding His righteous dealings with us. Believing that He always does what is good and right and just.
Torrey lists ways that our “troubles” may be beneficial:
In promoting the glory of God - John 9:1, 2, 3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19
In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God - Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8, 9, 10, 11
In teaching us the will of God - Ps 119:71; Isaiah 26:9; Micah 6:9
In turning us to God - Deut 4:30,31; Neh 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Is 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7
In keeping us from again departing from God - Job 34:31,32; Is 10:20; Ezek 14:10,11
In leading us to seek God in prayer - Jdg 4:3; Je 31:18; Lam 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jonah 2:1
In convincing us of sin - Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lk 15:16-18
In leading us to confession of sin - Nu 21:7; Ps 32:5; 51:3,5
In testing and exhibiting our sincerity - Job 23:10; Psalms 66:10; Pr 17:3
In trying our faith and obedience - Ge 22:1,2; He 11:17; Ex 15:23-25; Deut 8:2,16; 1Pe 1:7; Rev 2:10
In humbling us - Deut 8:3,16; 2Chr 7:13,14; Lam 3:19,20; 2Co 12:7
In purifying us - Eccl 7:2,3; Is 1:25,26; 48:10; Je 9:6,7; Zech 13:9; Mal 3:2,3
In exercising our patience - Ps 40:1; Ro 5:3; James 1:3; 1Pe 2:20
In rendering us fruitful in good works - John 15:2; Heb 12:10,11
In furthering the gospel - Acts 8:3,4; 11:19-21; Php 1:12; 2Ti 2:9,10; 4:16,17
When we encounter “troubles,” we must be patient. Trust in God. Wait upon Him. Expecting Him to work – in His time and in His way.
Like David, we must be able to say, My times are in Your hand (Psalm 31:15).
Or, I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined to me and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth – Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD (Psalm 40:1-3).
Monday, July 7, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
This and That
We have been enjoying some beautiful days here in northeastern Pennsylvania. Warm days. Cool Nights. Just enough rain to keep the plants growing.
Outside our front window, we regularly have a half dozen or so birds at the feeder. And playing in the lilac bush. And a few hummingbirds.
I am feeling amazingly well. For that, I thank God.
A few nights ago, we enjoyed a campfire. We cooked hamburgers and hot dogs over the open flame. Fresh sweetcorn, barbecued beans, and watermelon rounded out the meal. It was all topped off with s'mores, a family favorite.
Yesterday we received a postcard from our older son. Our first word from him. He ays he is enjoying Cadet Basic Training at West Point. He especially enjoys the physical training. He also wrote that he is kept very busy.
At least one letter for him leaves this house each day. We want to encourage him as he pursues this opportunity to serve God and our country.
This morning, a friend at church gave us a small bucket of cherries that he picked up near Seneca Lake. What a treat for a summer day!
In our household, we have much for which to be thankful. We thank our God and Father who provides us with every good thing we need. And we praise Him, who alone is worthy to be praised.
Finally, words from Charles Spurgeon:
My happiest moments are when I am worshiping God, really adoring the Lord Jesus Christ, and having fellowship with the ever-blessed Spirit. In that worship I forget the cares of everything else. To me it is the nearest approach to what it will be in heaven.
Outside our front window, we regularly have a half dozen or so birds at the feeder. And playing in the lilac bush. And a few hummingbirds.
I am feeling amazingly well. For that, I thank God.
A few nights ago, we enjoyed a campfire. We cooked hamburgers and hot dogs over the open flame. Fresh sweetcorn, barbecued beans, and watermelon rounded out the meal. It was all topped off with s'mores, a family favorite.
Yesterday we received a postcard from our older son. Our first word from him. He ays he is enjoying Cadet Basic Training at West Point. He especially enjoys the physical training. He also wrote that he is kept very busy.
At least one letter for him leaves this house each day. We want to encourage him as he pursues this opportunity to serve God and our country.
This morning, a friend at church gave us a small bucket of cherries that he picked up near Seneca Lake. What a treat for a summer day!
In our household, we have much for which to be thankful. We thank our God and Father who provides us with every good thing we need. And we praise Him, who alone is worthy to be praised.
Finally, words from Charles Spurgeon:
My happiest moments are when I am worshiping God, really adoring the Lord Jesus Christ, and having fellowship with the ever-blessed Spirit. In that worship I forget the cares of everything else. To me it is the nearest approach to what it will be in heaven.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
First Priority
Priorities. We each have 24 hours in a day. Most of us have limited resources. The way we use our time and our resources is a reflection of our values, our priorities – what is really important to us.
The struggle with priorities is not new. In 520 B.C., God spoke to His people through the prophet Haggai and urged them to “consider your ways.”
The temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians in 536 B.C. In 538 B.C. King Cyrus allowed the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and begin re-building the temple. But 15 years later, the work had not been completed. The people got their priorities out of whack.
God spoke to the people through Haggai and asked: “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house [the temple] remains in ruin?” Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.” (1:4-5). The people were more concerned with their own homes and their own personal comfort than they were with doing the will of God. As a result, they suffered. The more they worked for themselves, the less they had.
There is great futility in putting ourselves before God. Only by putting God first will all our needs be met. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33). God must be given first priority.
2500 years later, we still struggle with priorities. Our jobs, our families, and our hobbies all compete for first place in our lives. But we must make a decision to put God first.
Ultimately, the people responded to Haggai’s message with repentance and obedience. By 516 B.C. the temple was completed. As we examine our priorities, will we respond in the same way? Will we respond by changing our priorities and obey God by putting Him first? Will we make Him our first priority?
The struggle with priorities is not new. In 520 B.C., God spoke to His people through the prophet Haggai and urged them to “consider your ways.”
The temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians in 536 B.C. In 538 B.C. King Cyrus allowed the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and begin re-building the temple. But 15 years later, the work had not been completed. The people got their priorities out of whack.
God spoke to the people through Haggai and asked: “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house [the temple] remains in ruin?” Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.” (1:4-5). The people were more concerned with their own homes and their own personal comfort than they were with doing the will of God. As a result, they suffered. The more they worked for themselves, the less they had.
There is great futility in putting ourselves before God. Only by putting God first will all our needs be met. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33). God must be given first priority.
2500 years later, we still struggle with priorities. Our jobs, our families, and our hobbies all compete for first place in our lives. But we must make a decision to put God first.
Ultimately, the people responded to Haggai’s message with repentance and obedience. By 516 B.C. the temple was completed. As we examine our priorities, will we respond in the same way? Will we respond by changing our priorities and obey God by putting Him first? Will we make Him our first priority?
Friday, July 4, 2008
Freedom
It's July 4th. Independence Day. A day to celebrate freedom. For Americans, freedom from tyranny. Freedom to live as we choose. Freedom to say what we think. For Christians, freedom from sin and its penalty. Freedom found only in Jesus Christ. As we celebrate our freedom today, here are some words to consider . . .
It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ! - Patrick Henry
The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: that it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity. - John Quincy Adams
Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest, of a Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers. - John Jay, 1st Chief Justice of Supreme Court. One of the three men most responsible for the Constitution
The reason that Christianity is the best friend of government is because Christianity is the only religion in the world that deals with the heart. - Thomas Jefferson
We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people . . . it is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. - John Adams
Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever. - Thomas Jefferson, inside the Jefferson Memorial
So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ! - Patrick Henry
The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: that it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity. - John Quincy Adams
Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest, of a Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers. - John Jay, 1st Chief Justice of Supreme Court. One of the three men most responsible for the Constitution
The reason that Christianity is the best friend of government is because Christianity is the only religion in the world that deals with the heart. - Thomas Jefferson
We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people . . . it is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. - John Adams
Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever. - Thomas Jefferson, inside the Jefferson Memorial
So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Habakkuk's Faith
At the end of his book, Habakkuk writes this hymn of faith . . .
Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls -
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The LORD God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk on my high hill.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Can we say, like the prophet Habakkuk, that we would still rejoice even if everything around us collapsed? All that we know as normal and predictable vanished? Would be still be committed to God? Would we still desire Him? Would we still find our joy in Him?
Habakkuk found his joy, his strength, his security, and his hope in God alone. It was faith in God that him to stand firm through difficult times, even the coming Assyrian invasion.
It is our faith in God that will allow us to endure any hardship that comes our way, today or in the days to come. The just shall live by his faith.
Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls -
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The LORD God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk on my high hill.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Can we say, like the prophet Habakkuk, that we would still rejoice even if everything around us collapsed? All that we know as normal and predictable vanished? Would be still be committed to God? Would we still desire Him? Would we still find our joy in Him?
Habakkuk found his joy, his strength, his security, and his hope in God alone. It was faith in God that him to stand firm through difficult times, even the coming Assyrian invasion.
It is our faith in God that will allow us to endure any hardship that comes our way, today or in the days to come. The just shall live by his faith.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
We Have Everything We Need to Live for Him
Some thoughts on 2 Peter 1:3-9 . . .
As His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness . . . (2 Peter 1:3a)
We have been given everything we need to live for Him. For everything that He has called us to do. To think, speak, and act in way that brings Him honor and glory. Everything.
Faith. Virtue. Knowledge. Self control. Perseverance. Godliness. Brotherly kindness. Love.
Yet, verses 8-9 imply that there are people that know the Lord, but whose lives are ineffective and unproductive. Because they are missing these essential character qualities. They lack a true understanding of the gospel, that Christ died and was resurrected so that they would possess these qualities. They have a poor understanding of their true identity in Christ and need to be reminded of the resources that they have in Him. Nearsighted and blind, they have forgotten that they have been cleansed from their past sins. They lack assurannce of their salvation.
In the larger context of Peter’s epistle, we learn that Peter presents a model of the Christian life, a model in which God saves us and redeems us, not so we can separate ourselves from the evil world that exists (as some may desire to do), but so that we can glorify Him in the midst of a fallen and evil world. And Peter says that we can expect to suffer as we do so. Christ did. We will.
Having everything I need to live for Him, I can stand strong as I battle cancer. My son has everything he needs to get through Beast Barracks at West Point. The open air evangelist can stand strong as she proclaims the gospel on the city streets. We can engage our culture with confidence, knowing that God has empowered us to be agents of change in a world that has turned its back on Him and His Word.
We have everything we need to live for Him.
As His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness . . . (2 Peter 1:3a)
We have been given everything we need to live for Him. For everything that He has called us to do. To think, speak, and act in way that brings Him honor and glory. Everything.
Faith. Virtue. Knowledge. Self control. Perseverance. Godliness. Brotherly kindness. Love.
Yet, verses 8-9 imply that there are people that know the Lord, but whose lives are ineffective and unproductive. Because they are missing these essential character qualities. They lack a true understanding of the gospel, that Christ died and was resurrected so that they would possess these qualities. They have a poor understanding of their true identity in Christ and need to be reminded of the resources that they have in Him. Nearsighted and blind, they have forgotten that they have been cleansed from their past sins. They lack assurannce of their salvation.
In the larger context of Peter’s epistle, we learn that Peter presents a model of the Christian life, a model in which God saves us and redeems us, not so we can separate ourselves from the evil world that exists (as some may desire to do), but so that we can glorify Him in the midst of a fallen and evil world. And Peter says that we can expect to suffer as we do so. Christ did. We will.
Having everything I need to live for Him, I can stand strong as I battle cancer. My son has everything he needs to get through Beast Barracks at West Point. The open air evangelist can stand strong as she proclaims the gospel on the city streets. We can engage our culture with confidence, knowing that God has empowered us to be agents of change in a world that has turned its back on Him and His Word.
We have everything we need to live for Him.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Letting Go, Part Two
We did it. We let go yesterday. Our son took his first big step in joining The Long Grey Line.
It was a long day. A morning of what the Army calls hurry up and wait. The lines were certainly long, with many young men and women anticipating the day before them. An afternoon of waiting for the parents. Waiting to see their children transformed. An afternoon of transformation for the new cadets. Haircuts. Uniforms. Learning to salute. Learning to march. Learning to make a bed.
By 5:40, the initial transformation was complete and the waiting was over. Thirteen hundred new cadets marched past the crowds of parents and friends and stood in front of the monument on Trophy Point to take their oath. The crowds cheered. The band played. And then they retreated to the mess hall. And the crowds retreated to their cars.
We were all reassured by the Superintendent, Commandant, and Dean of Academics that our young men and women would be cared for well. That they would receive one of the best educations available. That they were now part of the West Point family.
We let go. With sadness that we would no longer enjoy the daily interaction with our son. But with great joy that he has given himself to a greater cause. The cause of protecting and defending the freedoms that we enjoy in this country. And the cause of Christ, who came that all men might, through faith in Him, enjoy eternal freedom from sin and death.
The verse on our calendar yesterday was from Proverbs 22:6, Train up a child in the way that he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it. While this is not a promise, it is generally true that proper early training provided by parents ensures that a child develops lifelong habits and attitudes that lead him to live a godly life. As our son's training at West Point builds upon the foundation that we have given him, we can only pray that he does not depart from it. That he continues to choose to live for Christ and for Christ alone.
We let go. Physically. But not emotionally or spiritually. We will continue to pray for and encourage our son to be, as the Army says, all he can be. All that God made him to be.
It was a long day. A morning of what the Army calls hurry up and wait. The lines were certainly long, with many young men and women anticipating the day before them. An afternoon of waiting for the parents. Waiting to see their children transformed. An afternoon of transformation for the new cadets. Haircuts. Uniforms. Learning to salute. Learning to march. Learning to make a bed.
By 5:40, the initial transformation was complete and the waiting was over. Thirteen hundred new cadets marched past the crowds of parents and friends and stood in front of the monument on Trophy Point to take their oath. The crowds cheered. The band played. And then they retreated to the mess hall. And the crowds retreated to their cars.
We were all reassured by the Superintendent, Commandant, and Dean of Academics that our young men and women would be cared for well. That they would receive one of the best educations available. That they were now part of the West Point family.
We let go. With sadness that we would no longer enjoy the daily interaction with our son. But with great joy that he has given himself to a greater cause. The cause of protecting and defending the freedoms that we enjoy in this country. And the cause of Christ, who came that all men might, through faith in Him, enjoy eternal freedom from sin and death.
The verse on our calendar yesterday was from Proverbs 22:6, Train up a child in the way that he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it. While this is not a promise, it is generally true that proper early training provided by parents ensures that a child develops lifelong habits and attitudes that lead him to live a godly life. As our son's training at West Point builds upon the foundation that we have given him, we can only pray that he does not depart from it. That he continues to choose to live for Christ and for Christ alone.
We let go. Physically. But not emotionally or spiritually. We will continue to pray for and encourage our son to be, as the Army says, all he can be. All that God made him to be.
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