God sends trials to get our attention and sometimes He sends trials to humble us. Learn why that's a good thing, and how the Lord uses trials to get us to the place where He can bless us.

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James shares a shocking command, instructing believers to view their trials with joy. In this study, we’ll learn why God sends trials to His children, and why they’re so good for us.

For discussion questions and video for this message, visit jeffthompsonministries.com/intheword.

Despite being a recognized apostle and the half-brother of Jesus, James identifies himself as, "a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ". In this study, we'll talk about what it means to be a slave to Christ, and why it's the most blessed and free way to live.

For discussion questions and video for this message, visit jeffthompsonministries.com/intheword.

On the first Easter Sunday, we find the disciples hiding together for fear of the religious leaders. Their expectations of who Jesus was and what He came to do were dashed to pieces when He was brutally murdered at the hands of the Romans. But all their unmet expectations evaporated when the resurrected Messiah walked into the room. This same Jesus will still change anyone’s life today when He meets with them too.

Paul continues his journey to Rome being used by God mightily along the way and, according to Church tradition, planting churches everywhere he went. And as we wrap up the Book of Acts, we are reminded that most of the time, the glorious truth of the good God is doing in each of us will only be revealed over time.

The final scene in the book of Acts doesn’t appear to be all that inspiring. The Apostle Paul is under house arrest in Rome. He’s allowed visitors, but he isn’t allowed to travel anywhere. But that’s OK. Because placing an Apostle under house arrest cannot stop the Kingdom of God from advancing.

Jesus said that He came to give His followers abundant life. But none of us are magically transported into this blessing once we become a Christian. We need to follow Jesus by faith, through obstacles that stand in the way of us experiencing the quality of life that our Lord came to give us.

Paul finally begins his journey to Rome, only to run into a deadly storm on the Mediterranean Sea that threatens to kill him and the 267 other people on board. But amid the chaos and terror, Paul emerges as a leader filled with Christlike faith and an example for us to emulate.

As Felix, the governor of Judea, is recalled to Rome, a new governor, Festus, arrives. He examines Paul's case and puts on a special audience with Paul for King Agrippa II, allowing Paul to state his case by sharing his incredible testimony.

An imminent assassination plot necessitates Paul being rushed out of Jerusalem by night under military escort. He is taken to the governor's mansion in Caesarea Maritima, where he is placed on trial before Felix. As Paul is afforded an opportunity to share the Gospel with Felix and his wife, Drusilla, we are reminded of the seriousness and urgency of responding to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.