Good morning! Today, we will continue our reading in James chapter one. James is writing to the scattered believers who are being persecuted and/or facing numerous trials. Join me as we pickup where we left off on Friday.

Bible Verse – James 1:12-15 NLT

“¹² God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. ¹³ And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong,^[c] and he never tempts anyone else. ¹⁴ Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. ¹⁵ These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”

Reflection

James continued to open the thoughts of the scattered believers as he wrote about temptations. James knew trials have a way of testing individuals, and his fear was that the believers would fall under attacks and pressures that they faced. He was concerned that the wrong response to testing would impact their spiritual growth. James pondered on the source of temptation within a person, and how that person can be dragged away and enticed by Satan’s temptations.

Sisters and brothers, too often the source of our temptation is unchecked lust, which yields sin, and unconfessed sin brings death. Sin gives birth to death. The wrong response to lust or temptation will lead to spiritual poverty and death. Yet, the right response in trials will lead to spiritual maturity and growth.

Sisters and brothers, some of us are addicted to managing trials, trauma, or difficulties by reverting to or turning to our old sinful habits/things that provide temporary relief from trials, but those things are slowly killing us. It chips away at us spiritually and we find ourselves pulling further away from the Lord. Satan’s ability to keep us seeking relief through the world’s eyes will keep us trapped until we break free and lean on Christ Jesus and His strength to help us through.

May the Lord give us wisdom and spiritual maturity to resist temptations of our own evil desires, lust, or inner cravings, and remain steadfast in Him as we endure trials.

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for sending your son Jesus to remind us of who you are and how much love us. God, thank you for your promises and for the hope we have in you. Lord, you keep blessing us beyond all that we can imagine or hope for. You have been gracious and unfailing in your love for us. We thank for never leaving us abandoned in our trials or temptations. You always make a way out and deliver us from our difficulties. 

Lord, you have stuck beside us and we are grateful. Lord, today we want to pray that we remain steadfast and consistently draw closer to you. Lord, continue to build us up in your word. Continue to write your scriptures upon our hearts so that we can draw strength from it. Lord, open our hearts to receive guidance, wisdom and discernment in every area of our lives. Lord, give us hope in the midst of our day-to-day objectives/plans, so that when things do not go as planned we will know and remember your shift in our plans are better than the plans we had. Lord, when we are disappointed, discouraged or upset about those interruptions-help us to remain in you and trust your plans. Lord, your plans, your way may not always feel good, but we know they are best and that You are Sovereign. So we put our expectations in your hands.

Lord, don’t let us get led astray by emotions (e.g., anger, grief, or heartache) and pull away from you. Don’t let others take your place in our lives, but allow godly sisters and brothers to walk alongside us – encouraging us in the faith and in love without ulterior motives.

Lord, help us to identify time and places to connect with, talk to, and lean on you. Lord, give strength to the weak and hurting. Give courage and guidance to the one with fear. Give shelter to those without a home. Give refuge to those who are seeking you. Continue to heal those who are ill, those in the hospital, others who are having surgery or are recovering from surgery. Bless us, Lord, and help us all see that our blessings come from you. Thank you for answering our prayers. In Jesus name, amen.

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