Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. This testimony of faith is what previous generations were commended for. Faith empowers us to see that the universe was created and beautifully coordinated by the power of God’s words! He spoke and the invisible realm gave birth to all that is seen. Hebrews 11:1-3
James’ letter in the New Testament was written to those who he described as scattered like seeds. Dispersed by religious persecution, the recipients of his letter were in a place where nothing was familiar – not the land, not the people, not the homes, nothing! But their sense of scattered went deeper. The predictability of the lives they had planned to live was also scattered. They struggled to adjust their emotional responses to new surroundings and the people that inhabited them! We like predictability. In fact, predictability is like our security blanket. But in transitions predictability goes missing in action.
It’s not so much that we’re afraid of change or so in love with old ways, but it’s that place in between that we fear. It’s like being between trapezes. There’s nothing to hold on to. – Marilyn Ferguson
IN UNFAMILIAR TIMES WE SHOULD EXPECT:
CHARACTER REFINEMENT (James 1:2-4)
Working out our salvation without murmuring and complaining. (Philippians 2:12 (NIV))
ABSORPTION OF THE WORD OF GOD (James 1:19-22)
Listening until we encounter revelation from His Word to transform our understanding.
DOMINION OVER JUDGMENT (James 2:12-13)
Learning to sow mercy in others where none has been earned, is a character issue.
SELF-CONTROL (James 3:2)
Out of the abundance of our hearts, we speak. Bridled words are powerful and bring maturity.
GODLY WISDOM (James 1:5)
Hold to a conviction that when you pray God’s Word, He hears and grants your request.
STANDING FIRM AGAINST THE DEVIL (James 4:5-8)
Surrendering ourselves to Jesus is the key to resisting the devil.
GOD’S RELATIONSHIP BECOMING MORE INTIMATE (James 4:5-8)
Move your heart closer and closer to God and He will come even closer to you.
HARVEST (James 1:25; 3:17-18)
On a recent trip to Mexico, one of my interns got into a conversation about Jesus with a gentleman who had to google the word “Jesus” to find out who she was talking about. Reaching out requires a relevant intentionality and expectancy in partnership with the Holy Spirit.
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