James 1:1-8

Christian testing is necessary for spiritual growth, and James said to count it all joy. Through our trials, we prove we love and obey God, trust Him, and glorify Him. Moses told the Israelites “to remember that the Lord led them forty years in the wilderness to humble and test them, to know what was in their heart, whether they would keep His commandments or not (Deut. 8:2). He humbled them, allowed them to hunger, and fed them with manna that He might make them know that man will not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord” (Deut. 8:3).

When our faith is being tested, it produces patience (v.3). Whatever we are going through, “let patience have its way, doing a thorough work, so that you may be mature and complete in your faith, lacking nothing” (v.4). If you lack wisdom, ask God for it; He will freely give it to all without reproach (v.5). Our heavenly Father never shames us for our shortcomings; He offers to help. Let us ask in faith and do not doubt, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind (v.6). A faithless person need not expect to receive anything from the Lord (v.7); he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (v.8).

Believers must have wisdom to endure in their trials to produce spiritual maturity. 

Clap your hands and give God glory!

James 1:2-3

Everybody will go through a season(s) of temptations, trials, and tribulations. Believers, however, are in a most unique position for going through. Because we have a relationship with God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ, we put our trust Him. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). Know without a doubt we will need Him. Satan is the prince of the air; he knows when we are weak and struggling in our Christian walk. In Matt. 4:3 Jesus was not struggling in His faith. His hunger showed His humanity after a forty-day fast in the wilderness. Satan tempted Him saying, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” Satan knew Jesus was the Son of God and had the power to do as requested. However, Jesus showed us that believers must use the word to resist their temptations.  

Here James told us to consider it nothing but joy whenever we fall into various trials (v.2). Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance (v.3). Children of God must be tested; testing leads to spiritual maturity and inner peace. We must not focus on what we are going through; we must focus on the goodness of God and all He has done. “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4), no matter what the trial or tribulation – rejoice in the Lord.

Will you count the testing of your faith all joy today? Clap your hands and shout, “Glory to God!”

Romans 12:1, NKJV

Believers have been called out from the world and set apart for God’s purposes. We live in this earthly realm, but we are citizens of His spiritual kingdom. He commands our total commitment and love. Believers must freely dedicate themselves wholly to a lifetime of service to Him through unselfish service to our neighbor. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19, NIV).

In Romans 12:1, Paul urges the church, “by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice” – a body that has been spiritually resurrected from death in sins and trespasses. We are new creatures in Christ; therefore, we must bring our living selves to Him, holy and acceptable. After all, Jesus gave his life as the ultimate sacrifice for us. Paul says that we have heard the preaching and teaching of the gospel. Now, put it into practice in your every day living. 

God wants a sacrifice that is well-pleasing to Him. Because He is holy, we must be holy. We must clean up our old, defiled bodies, and live like clay jars in which the Holy Spirit is stored. Believers must give up their selfish, unrighteous ways and take on His selfless, righteous ways. “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Love and obedience go hand-in-hand in pleasing God. We are to be fully committed sacrifices – living, holy, and acceptable. That is our reasonable service, or genuine worship, to Christ. 

Clap your hands and shout, “Glory!”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Believers have the assurance that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the grave that we might have life now and eternally. In today’s passage of scripture, Paul described the sudden coming of Jesus Christ. Christian theologians call it the rapture though the word is not in the Bible. However, Paul prophesied that God’s people will not be ignorant. 

1Thessalonians 4:13-17 reads “And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope (v.13). For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died(v.14). We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died (v.15). For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves (v.16). Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever” (v.17).

Finally, Paul challenged us to “encourage each other with these words” (v.18) of resurrection hope. Will you encourage someone today? 

Clap your hands and give God glory! He is worthy.