Reflections on James

                                             JAMES
Chapter 1
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,


Joy- (chara) 
1) joy, gladness
1a) the joy received from you
1b) the cause or occasion of joy
 
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

Trials- (peirasmos)

 
1) an experiment, attempt, trial, proving
1a) trial, proving: the trial made of you by my bodily condition, since condition served as to test the love of the Galatians toward Paul (Gal_4:14)
1b) the trial of man’s fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy
1b1) an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances
1b2) an internal temptation to sin
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10


Reflection: How can any of the trials I go through even compare to what Christ went through on the cross? Who am I to complain when God's perfect son suffered at my expense? I have a loving Father was is always with me and continually supplies me with His strength and power.


3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Steadfastness- (hupomonē)  1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance
1a) in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings
1b) patiently, and steadfastly 2) a patient, steadfast waiting for
3) a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance

 

Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. James 5:11

and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matt. 10:22 
Reflection: Has the testing of my faith produced endurance? If the testing of my faith produces endurance, shouldn't I look in anticipation of the testing that comes my way? It goes against everything in me to want to be tested. I ask the Lord not to let certain thngs come my way. Why is that? Am I afraid that the God of the Universe who knows every hair on my head doesn't know what is best for me?
Haven't I always looked back at times of testing and seen what a mighty work He has done in me? Help me to trust You more.

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

Perfect- (teleios)
1) brought to its end, finished
2) wanting nothing necessary to completeness
3) perfect
4) that which is perfect
4a) consummate human integrity and virtue
4b) of men
4b1) full grown, adult, of full age, mature
Complete-(holoklēros)

1) complete in all its parts, in no part wanting or unsound, complete, entire, whole
1a) of a body without blemish or defect, whether of a priest or of a victim
1b) free from sin, faultless
1c) complete in all respects, consummate

  Reflection: The passage says that we are to let steadfastness have its full effect. It appears that this happens when our faith is tested. We are sanctified more and more as we grow in His character through the various trials He allows to come our way.

   



 


  


 
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Praise The Lord!

                           May praises to Him be continually on our lips and in our hearts
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                            It is Well is a beautiful and rich hymn that runs through my mind frequently.

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well, with my soul.
   • Refrain:
     It is well, with my soul,
     It is well, it is well, with my soul.
   No matter what gets thrown at me I can praise Him because He has made it well with my soul. 
   
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul. He, my mighty God and Savior is in control of my circumstances. Praise the Lord!
3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! How can I keep from praising Him for taking my sin and nailing it to the cross.  Halleluiah, praise the Lord!   
4. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
   If Jordan above me shall roll,
   No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
   Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul. He moment by moment gives me a peace that passes understanding. Praise the Lord!
5. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
   The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
   Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
   Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul! He will take me home to live with Him forever! My focus is on eternity. Praise the Lord!
6. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul. My soul rejoices as I try to imagine this day. What a glorious day it will be for  those who trust in Him! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord oh my soul! 

Thank you Lord for the many ways you have blessed us. Thank you for making it WELL with our souls. May our eyes stay focused on eternity and may our praises to You be continually on our lips and in our hearts .
 

HE WILL KEEP YOU IN PERFECT PEACE

 Php 4:6  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Do you know the peace that passes all understanding? That indescribable peace when your world seems to be spinning out of control? It is ours, for the Lord has promised it to us. Bring your troubles to Him and enjoy the peace He provides. Why would you settle for less? Believe and take hold of what He offers!