So we are doing the “James” Beth Moore study right now and today was about James 1:2-4
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
These are some good things Beth brought up about this passage:
- “Consider” calls us to a mental exercise. Not an emotion. James is telling us to think, to reflect, and to esteem the unalloyed joys available to us whenever we experience various trials.
- “experience” literally means to fall into, meaning sometimes we don’t even see the ditch coming.
- Trials are takers, they can steal your security, dignity, dreams…etc. But Trials don’t get to steal from followers of Christ unless we hand over the goods.
- Perseverance means “nerving oneself” like a person determined to stay on his feet, holding tight to Jesus, while storm winds try to toss him like a yellow rubber duck on a swelling sea.
- Trials CAN produce a mature and complete faith not lacking anything. Its all how we deal with it and see it. Do we see the trial as it really is….something God is counting us worthy of going through for our own good?
Enjoying this study a lot and yay for James diving straight into the good stuff from the very beginning of this letter.
Friday night I convinced David to let me take him on a date, so since he likes to cook, and at one point wanted to be a chef, I bought a groupon for cooking classes. It was kinda awesome. There were 2 other couples there and 2 chefs and we made 2 types of bruchetta, stuffed chicken, orzo pasta, pork tenderloin, and bananas foster. Kinda ridiculous and all delicious!
Saturday, David went with me to my much belated “moms side” family Christmas at my parents house. We did it up classy style with all the main dishes being crockpot dishes, we also had a dollar store gift exchange. Like I said…classy.I got my crockpot recipe off of skinnycrockpot.com…you should check it out…its pretty sweet. Then we went with my cousin to see the movie, Red Tails. It was ok…not on my top 10 list, kinda choppy I thought…but we had free tickets…so it was all good.
Sunday, church… then got to meet David’s aunt that was in town, then a chill afternoon, then hangin with laney and katie that night.
Busy but good weekend.
Life has not slowed down I do not believe. This past weekend was dinner with David and my rents, country dancing, friends bday gathering and getting to meet some more of David’s family.
This coming weekend will be the annual mom’s side super late Christmas weekend. Which will consist of 30ish people at my parents house, crockpot christmas dishes, loads of good food and such. Will be good, but busy for sure.
Other random highlights…Started the “James” Beth Moore study with my womens bible study and loving it so far. Also…work has been crazy busy lately…yeah idk…lot of fun random moments in there too ha.
All in all life is good, just busy. The Lord is still sovereign and working all things together for my good. That has been a truth that has been filtering through every aspect of life lately. So much of what he allows is for my own good and sanctification. Praise God for that.
