September 6, 2023

James 1:2-4Notes From the Pastor's Desk
#notesfromthepastorsdesk
📖James 1:2-4 (ESV)
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
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📘Pastor's Note:
We all encounter various trials/challenges in life. How do we respond to the difficult ones? Do we embrace them and grow, or do we wallow in self-pity? James, the half-brother of Jesus, says count it all joy. How are we to find joy in those difficulties? The answer: knowing the Lord is at work even in the darkest storms, perfecting us in the faith. Trials have a pruning effect. They humble us. They grow our roots stronger. Though we may not initially see it, it makes us healthier, more effective, more useful to the Lord in our walk to glorify Him. Difficulties have a wonderful way of showing us where our dependency lies. Christians turn to and are comforted in their Savior. And as those difficult storms pass, we find ourselves better equipped with a deeper understanding and a relationship with Christ. So, if you're going through a difficult time in your life, know that there is work going on within it. "I am no longer my own, but Yours. Put me to what You will, rank me with whom You will; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for You or laid aside for You, exalted for You or brought low for You; let me be full, let me be empty; let me have all things, let me have nothing; I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal." John Wesley

🙏I'm praying for you always. ❤️

Pastor Jamie

Read the Chapter:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201&version=ESV​
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