Good afternoon,
On Sunday, Chris reminded us that "from the compost of our weakest prayers offered up with even fragile faith, God can grow an orchard for His glory." Most of us have heard James 1 more than a few times. Maybe you've heard his admonition to pray for wisdom in isolation from the context: trials. Chris rightly showed us both the connection and the context. And I trust you were helped as I was. If you missed that sermon, you can watch or read it here: (Faith Works: The Gift of Wisdom Under Trials, James 1:5-12)
After studying our next passage in James (1:12–18) this morning, I'm confident that James doesn't move into an entirely new arena. When trials come into our lives, what else shows up? Temptation. We're tempted to give up; we're tempted to do something other than what God's instructed; we're tempted in all kinds of ways. James addresses the source of that temptation in this Sunday's passage, as well as reasserting his emphasis on who God is: the Giver of all good things.
What a thoughtful discussion we had last week when considering Practicing Affirmation. After I've prepared for a class like that, and then you all say things I've not come close to considering, it's a good reminder of the Spirit's work. He's shaped each of us in our past by His truth; and He's using that to shape each one of us now. Thanks be to Him.
Tomorrow night we'll also have a time for training those interested in serving in the preschool area. If you have questions about that, please check with Chris Wilbanks or Joy Sharp. We're grateful for the many of you that selflessly serve our children.
Over a decade ago when South Woods went through Romans on Sunday mornings, two chapters stood out to me: Romans 6 and Romans 14. In my mind, Romans 14 is one of the most applicable chapters in the entire book. We begin it on Sunday in our Bible Study Groups. Let's pray that the Lord might use those teaching in each of those classes and that our hearts might receive His word with humility (James 1:21).
And, for His honor, may the Lord use this community of Christ–followers to stir up one another to love and good deeds.
Matt
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