James 1:2-3 Are you a leader?

Hello all,
This weekend, during my Bible studies, I came across this wonderful truth that is so helpful in daily Christian life. James 1:2-3 says: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."

This verse used to give me a bunch of trouble. It wasn't because I didn't want to obey it. It was because I didn't fully understand it, and I'm sure that I was not the only one. But praise God, now I believe that I do understand it.

Are you ever in a tough situation, where it's hard to have the right attitude, where it's hard to even do what's right?
According to this verse, when your faith is tried like that, you need to be a leader.
See, the word "count" in the wonderful Greek means to "command". When you are going through such a trial, you need to lead yourself and command yourself to be cheerful.

And you know, when you do that, after a while you actually begin to feel better. You might not feel it at first, but it will come.

Cheerful about what? I don't mean to thank God that you are failing a course and to ask Him to help you bear it. The next verse, (3) gives you the reason to be cheerful. "Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." The word know is to be absolutely sure. Sure of what?
That the trials of your faith produce patience.

Patience? Is that really something to be overjoyed about? (Really, I used to wonder).
Well, yes. Because patience, again in the wonderful Greek, means endurance. See, when your faith (or whatever God is teaching you) is tried, you learn to stick with it. You learn endurance. See, the reason to rejoice is that these trials are getting you further with God. It gives meaning to what you are going through, and assures you that it won't last forever and you will get better and better as the days go by! And God will start using you more and more, because He can really use the one who knows how to stick to what God has told them in His Word.

When Satan comes to tempt you and you know it is contrary to what God has said, and you stick to what God has said no matter what, you really are learning endurance and getting somewhere!
And even if you mess up, you still go on!

Isn't that something to be cheerful about?


E*A

Back to business

Okay, so I haven't updated since November, but I am getting back into business with this blog thing.
Like in my first post, I really want to post what I learn in my Bible studies on here, so I plan to get started this weekend with a brand new, shiny, fresh and clean post on the AWESOME things I have learned recently.
Nobody get scared, but I have a fun time with my Bible studies..... praise God!

Anyway, yall be blessed, (sorry, East Texas is getting to me) and expect a brand new spankin' post soon!

E*A