Brothers and Sisters 😊
📖 In James chapter 1 today we see “Gratitude” as the counter-cultural and God-honoring response to the trials of this life, as the Lord sovereignly gives and takes away for our good and His glory…
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (vs 2-4).
Q. Have you ever used discomfort, hardships, or stressful situations as an excuse to sin (doubt, anger, lust, despair, unkind words, gluttony, seeking worldly escapes & pleasures, etc)?
Q. Have you ever blamed God for the storms in your life, or do you see them as a means of spiritual growth & opportunity, and likewise a cause for joy?
🙏 Heavenly Father forgive me for the many times I’ve partnered with lies and embraced an anti-biblical perspective of how to respond to the trials you bring – Please grant all of us wisdom to know that you ordain the difficult seasons to sharpen us, refine us, mature us, and fill us with the fruits of your Holy Spirit.
🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today that you willingly endured the greatest suffering and trial the world has ever known when you gave up everything for us at the cross – Help us to see our thorns as loving favor and gracious gifts from God, that continually sanctify and conform us to be more and more like you…
✝️ “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of His own will He brought us forth by the Word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures in Christ.”
James 1:17-18
Grace and Gratitude 