Verse of the Day 9/30

Verse of the Day 9/30

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.  English Standard Version (ESV)

Our men's Bible study will be starting a new study in a few weeks in the book of James.  This week James has been part of my "read through the New Testament" plan.  It has been and will continue to be a good preparation for the study.  The book of James "comes at you" from the start with verses like 2 & 3 which state ^" 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."

That has to be one of the biggest challenges in the christian's life.  Today's verses, just a few lines beyond those help explain why we are to have that attitude and put it into practice. 

Andrew Murray gives us a good idea of how this can be  done when he writes,

In time of trouble say:    First—God brought me here. It is by His will I am in this strait place. In that I will rest.    Next—He will keep me in His love and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child.    Then—He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.    Last—In His good time He can bring me out again—how and when He knows.    I am here—by God's appointment, in His keeping, under His training, for His time."    No matter where we find ourselves, putting first things first, is realizing that God has brought me here.  We are to realize that He loves us, is with us, and will see us through in His time.  Those who love Him will also realize that He is a good Father.    

Oh, and I've seen many searching
For answers far and wide
But I know we're all searching
For answers only you provide
'Cause You know just what we need
Before we say a word

You're a good good Father
It's who You are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you

    " Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is   mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward   is life and more life.: James 1:12  The Message    Pastor Greg Laurie writes "the faith that cannot be tested is the faith that cannot be trusted", may ours be the kind of faith to "stick it out", loyally in love with and loved by God.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

James 1:12-15The Message (MSG)

¹² Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.

^13-15 Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.