July 21, 2025

James 1:1-11 (HCSB)
Greeting

1 James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ:
To the 12 tribes in the Dispersion.
Greetings.
Trials and Maturity
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways.
9 The brother of humble circumstances should boast in his exaltation, 10 but the one who is rich should boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will wither away while pursuing his activities.


Shannon Jamison
Welcome as we read together James Chapter 1. First, a little introduction. Christian scholars suggest that James was written by the half-brother of Jesus. James does not introduce himself as the brother of Jesus, but as the bondservant. 
James has a humble introduction, possibly because he doubted Jesus at first (John 7:5). Jesus also gave James a special gift in letting him see Jesus after the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7). What a beautiful gift! Jesus was more than the brother of James; Jesus was his Lord. It is important to know that our past does not define us when we accept and follow Jesus. James tells us to consider it pure joy when you face trials, not “if” but “when” because the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Hard to wrap our heads around joy in trials. Counting all joy takes time and preparation. God is working through us to be stronger and more like Christ. When we feel discouraged, focusing on perseverance leads us to spiritual maturity. James tells us to ask God for that wisdom; we do not come programmed with spiritual wisdom. We learn through reading and praying God’s Word. My word for 2025 is “Joy” because it is a word for encouragement. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy with my song as I praise Him. My prayer for you today is whatever trial or temptation you may be going through, that your faith will help you endure and receive the blessings God has for you. Little did I know how joy would lead me in my faith of obedience and preparation.

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