Reflections - James 1

I absolutely love the book of James!  Like I mentioned in my previous post, I really believe that the book of James is one of the most applicable books of the Bible.  I have found that over the course of my time as a believer (about 9 years) it has been a great source to help me understand how God wants us to live and more importantly how He wants us to handle “life situations.”  You know the JUNK that NO ONE likes to deal with.  Since I’m on the topic of JUNK I’ll list a few examples that you just might be able to relate with and if not – well I would say that you just might be in denial….HA!!  

(I’m totally kidding - well kind of)

Junk #1 – People not treating you properly (maybe its talking behind your back, saying things that are untrue, having terrible attitudes)

Junk #2 – Maybe it’s a sickness that has come about in your personal life or family and it feels there is no end in sight.

Junk #3 – Another piece of “junk” could be living in a dry season of life where all you want to do is what God has asked, but it seems right now that it will NEVER HAPPEN!!

Junk #4 - FINANCES – where everything is being stretched to the limit and there is NO ROOM for anything extra!

OK – so I HATE JUNK!! UNTIL I read the verse in James 1:2.  Junk requires patience on our behalf – patience and TRUST to know that God in His providence (which means His foreseeing care and guidance over us) to work GOOD through the situation and ultimately through US!

In verse 2 it says to consider it “wholly joyful” when going through trials…UM, EXCUSE ME?????  JOYFUL – that is like an oxymoron right???   How can we be full of joy when we are being faced with such DIFFICULT, sometimes life altering situations??  That doesn’t naturally make sense to me, but when I think about the verse – God didn’t use the word – happy, He used the word joyful.  Happiness is based on circumstances – joy is based on what’s going on in the inside of us.  It is a HEART CONDITION – IT IS A TRUST FACTOR.  When we are focused on Him and His power and His strength and His encouragement – WE CAN’T GO WRONG!!!  Bottom line – He loves us because He is love, but He does NOT want to leave us the way we are!!!  When we stay the way we are, we think we are good enough on our own – and WE ARE NOT!!! WE NEED HIM – we need Jesus at the center!!  I’m thankful He wants to grow me! 

Have a GREAT WEEK!!! And thanks for reading =) Xx 

As always, you can read Kim's post here and if you've written your own make sure to link it up with us below.  Next week's topic is below the link-up:






The topic for the upcoming week comes from Kim and she writes:

"Ok, so for next week I had considered continuing with James since he's such a rock star.  But then throughout the week a single word kept coming to me: FEARLESS.  So this week we're going to meditate on the verse that Josh and I focused on throughout our church planting process, which can be found in Joshua 1:9 which reads:

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Also, take a look at Psalm 27 this week... it's all about God being with us in whatever we do, too.  As we grow up, get married, have kids, go to our 9 to 5 jobs, and just go through the motions, we lose some of the adventure that once filled our younger days.  Growing up should not mean growing into something boring.  I know that God loves adventure.  I know that God wants to challenge us.  So this week, think about these verses and ask God to show you what He is calling you do, even if it's scary.  In what areas do you need to be "bold and courageous"?  Then be FEARLESS and share it with us!  Whether it's admitting that you want to lose 20 pounds, start your own business, write a book, have a baby, or even start a ministry... share it with us!  Putting it out there and applying the above verses to your life will make it real, and will hold you accountable.  I can't wait to hear what He's saying to you!  Thanks again for reading... have a lovely week and know that you are loved."