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James 1:12-18 – God cannot change

Verse 12 reveals the purpose in trials which is maturity. This verse shows us that loving God keeps us faithful to Him through the trials so that we persevere and endure.

In verses 13-18, James shows believers how to resist in temptation. Sometimes the trials are testings on the outside, and sometimes they are temptations on the inside. Trials may be tests sent by God, or they may be temptations sent by Satan and encouraged by our own fallen nature. It is this second aspect of trials—temptations on the inside—that James dealt with in this section. Believers are in danger of falling before the attacks and pressures of trials. But they are also subject to falling before the attractions and pleasures of temptation. Just as a wrong reaction to testing will obstruct spiritual growth and maturity, so will a wrong response to temptation. James outlined three pieces of temptation for the believer to think about: source of temptation (vv. 13-14), the steps in temptation (vv. 15-16), and the solution for temptation (vv. 17-18).

One may ask, “what is the relationship between testings on the outside and temptations from within?” The answer is if we are not careful, the testings on the outside may become temptations on the inside. When our circumstances are difficult, we may find ourselves complaining against God, questioning His love, and resisting His will. At this point, Satan provides us with an opportunity to escape the difficulty. This opportunity is a temptation

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James 1:5-11 – Wisdom and Faith

Throughout the Bible are people who turned defeat into victory and trial into triumph. Instead of being victims, they became victors. James tells us that we can have this same experience today. No matter what the trials may be on the outside (James 1:1–12) or the temptations on the inside (James 1:13–27), through faith in Christ we can experience victory. The result of this victory is spiritual maturity.

If we are going to turn trials into triumphs, there are four essentials to victory: a joyful attitude (v. 2), an understanding mind (v. 3), a surrendered will (v. 4, 9-11), and a heart that wants to believe (v. 5-8)

God’s goal for our lives is maturity. If we resist Him, then He chastens us into submission. But if we submit to Him, then He will accomplish His work. He is not satisfied with a halfway job. God wants a perfect work; He wants a finished product that is mature and complete.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. (ESV)

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • God’s gift of wisdom allows us to understand how God is involved in life’s daily events
  • Faith alone opens the door to God’s limitless treasury of wisdom. We must be diligent as we seek Him (Heb 11:6)
  • Whether poor or rich, we must find our joy in our spiritual privileges as children of God.
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James 1:1-4 – Endurance

All too often trials prompt groanings and complaints. This kind of response does not contribute to Christian maturity. It only makes matters worse. Trials are not to be seen as tribulations but testings. A test is given to see if a student can pass, not pass out. James gave sound advice on how to score high on every test. One who brings the right attitude to the trial, who understands the advantage of the trial, and who knows where to obtain assistance in the trial will certainly end up on God’s honor roll.

1 James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings. 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • God has a plan for us that will refine us, purify us, and cause us to be more mature. This growth will develop in us the traits necessary to have spiritual victory.
  • When we face trials with an outlook of growing in Christ and becoming more mature, this will allow us to take joy even though we are in pain
    • Remember Joseph. Enduring affliction had produced in Joseph an ability to see God’s greater hand in the malicious intentions of his brothers. God had used trials to make Joseph mature and complete.
    • We should look at trials as an occasion for joy because of their potential for producing something good in us
  • Endurance is the staying power that believers can have because they trust God. Tested faith becomes spiritually tough and rugged.
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PHILIPPIANS 4:10-13 DEVOTIONAL: CONTENTMENT

APRIL 28 – PHILIPPIANS 4:10-13

THE LESSON OF CONTENTMENT

In today’s world, there is less and less discussion about the providence of God. There is sometimes the idea that the world is a vast natural machine and that even God Himself cannot interrupt its operation. But the Bible clearly teaches the providential workings of God in nature and in the lives of His people. God’s providence simply means that God sees to it beforehand. The providence of God does not mean that God simply knows beforehand because providence involves much more. It is the working of God in advance to arrange circumstances and situations for the fulfilling of His purposes.[1]

The well-known story of Joseph and his brothers illustrates the meaning of providence (Gen. 37–50). “God did send me before you to preserve life!” said Joseph (Gen. 45:5). “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Gen. 50:20). This is the providence of God: His hand ruling and overruling in the affairs of life.[2] Paul’s life and ministry show his experience with God’s providence that enabled him to write, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). God in His providence had caused the church at Philippi to become concerned about Paul’s needs, and it came at the very time Paul needed their love most! The Philippians had been concerned for Paul, but they had lacked the opportunity to help. Sometimes we are the opposite. Believers have the opportunities, but they lack the concern. Not in every case, but in some cases.

Paul is quick to let his friends know that he is not complaining! His happiness does not depend on circumstances or things; his joy comes from something deeper, something apart from either poverty or prosperity. Most of us have learned how to be humiliated because when difficulties come we immediately run to the Lord! But few have learned how “to abound.” Prosperity has done more damage to believers than has adversity. “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing” (Rev. 3:17).

All of nature depends on hidden resources. The large trees send their roots down into the earth to draw up water and minerals. The most important part of a tree is the part we cannot see, the root system, and the most important part of the Christian’s life is the part that only God sees. Unless we draw on the deep resources of God by faith, we fail against the pressures of life. Paul depended on the power of Christ at work in his life (see Phil. 1:6, 21; 2:12–13; 3:10). Paul’s motto was “I can…through Christ!”, and it can and should be our motto too.

In verses 10-20, Paul discusses what may be the reason why he wrote this letter. The Philippians had given him a gift and he desired to thank them for it. In this section, Paul indicates that the Philippians would be rewarded for their gift and that God would meet all their needs. In verses 10-13, we see the lesson of contentment, while in verses 14-20, it talks about the gift of generosity.

Today, we will focus on the lesson of contentment and the value of being satisfied in God.

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (ESV)

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Contentment is found in the strength of Christ
  • Adaptability
    • View our changing circumstances to what God is teaching and doing in our lives
  • Dependence on God
    • Without depending on God, we will fail to the changing pressures of this life
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