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November 22nd - Day 326
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November 22nd
The bible reading today is the five chapter book of James.
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.”
James 1:1
James was the half brother of Jesus and the bishop of Jerusalem at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles. Some even consider the writer of James as one of the twelve apostles...perhaps another name for Matthias, the replacement of Judas. But being the half brother of Jesus and the Bishop of the church in Jerusalem would have been praiseworthy enough.
And still, James did not identify himself at the beginning of his epistle as either one of those. He chose a lowly term...servant...servant of his Lord...Jesus. Apparently, James considered that the highest authority for his authorship of the letter.
Reminds me of Jesus’ own words about himself...“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 10:11
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life away for many.”
Mark 10:45
Back to the text of today’s reading...“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.”
James 1:2-4
I love the way Charles Spurgeon interpreted James here.
“Do not sorrow over your trials. Do not look upon them as misfortunes and calamities. They are black vessels to be sure. But they are vessels filled with gold. Often God’s choicest mercies are disguised as sharp trials.”
I too believe that God is most sovereign when He is at work upon His beloved children. And He aims and He gifts those times of suffering to us for the purpose of growing us in faith and dependence upon Him.
An Austin Stone song that James has taught us at ARCC speaks to that thought.
“Because of Christ, I'm not forsaken...Because of Christ, I'm not alone...Because of Christ, I have a confidence and a hope...It’s all, It’s all because of Christ.
Who could stand amidst the winds and the waves except the One who made them to obey...Who could sing in the midst of the suffering but those He has redeemed and called by name.
O friends...” that’s us” who believe Jesus is the way...the way through suffering...“It is Him in us” that will stand in the midst of winds and waves that come against us...And we believe that because we believe “He” is the way through everything...
If I stand and see it through...if I stay the course and make it home...if my heart is overwhelmed with peace in the storm...It’s all because of Christ
That’s what I believe!
Enjoy the rest of James’ letter
Have a great day
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By Michael McCracken
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Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472
November 22nd
The bible reading today is the five chapter book of James.
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.”
James 1:1
James was the half brother of Jesus and the bishop of Jerusalem at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles. Some even consider the writer of James as one of the twelve apostles...perhaps another name for Matthias, the replacement of Judas. But being the half brother of Jesus and the Bishop of the church in Jerusalem would have been praiseworthy enough.
And still, James did not identify himself at the beginning of his epistle as either one of those. He chose a lowly term...servant...servant of his Lord...Jesus. Apparently, James considered that the highest authority for his authorship of the letter.
Reminds me of Jesus’ own words about himself...“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 10:11
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life away for many.”
Mark 10:45
Back to the text of today’s reading...“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.”
James 1:2-4
I love the way Charles Spurgeon interpreted James here.
“Do not sorrow over your trials. Do not look upon them as misfortunes and calamities. They are black vessels to be sure. But they are vessels filled with gold. Often God’s choicest mercies are disguised as sharp trials.”
I too believe that God is most sovereign when He is at work upon His beloved children. And He aims and He gifts those times of suffering to us for the purpose of growing us in faith and dependence upon Him.
An Austin Stone song that James has taught us at ARCC speaks to that thought.
“Because of Christ, I'm not forsaken...Because of Christ, I'm not alone...Because of Christ, I have a confidence and a hope...It’s all, It’s all because of Christ.
Who could stand amidst the winds and the waves except the One who made them to obey...Who could sing in the midst of the suffering but those He has redeemed and called by name.
O friends...” that’s us” who believe Jesus is the way...the way through suffering...“It is Him in us” that will stand in the midst of winds and waves that come against us...And we believe that because we believe “He” is the way through everything...
If I stand and see it through...if I stay the course and make it home...if my heart is overwhelmed with peace in the storm...It’s all because of Christ
That’s what I believe!
Enjoy the rest of James’ letter
Have a great day
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