James
Open Your Bible
James 1:1-18, Genesis 50:15-21, John 16:33, Romans 8:18-23, 1 Peter 4:12-19
BY She Reads Truth
We’re over halfway through This Is the New Testament, our thematic overview of the New Testament. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll finish our look at the Pauline Epistles and begin the General Epistles.
What Is James? Written by James, the brother of Jesus, this book instructs and admonishes readers to seek godly wisdom. It also counsels them to avoid internal conflicts within the Church and to express their faith through good works. James encourages believers to persevere in this calling in spite of trials, as God is faithful to mature His people in the midst of suffering.
How James Fits Into the Story: James continually calls for obedience to the law of God, showing believers that their obedience to God’s instruction is an indication of a living faith. Some choose to oversimplify the distinctions between the Old Testament and the New Testament by saying that the Old Testament is grounded in works and the New Testament is grounded in faith. James brings both testaments together to show that faith and works are integrally related in both the old and new covenants.
Reflection Questions:
1. Why does James say to be joyful during trials? Practically, how can you express joy in the middle of your current challenges?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
60 thoughts on "James"
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When I hear the word joy, I think about a VBS lesson where we taught the difference between joy and happiness. Joy is Jesus, who is everlasting and happiness fades away. The joy for me is that we have a faithful Father and Savior who walk with us through it all.
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James tells us to have joy in our struggles because it will cause us to become stronger in our faith. When I’m in the middle of a hardship, I remind myself that I have a God who loves me, who will stay by my side, and who has promised me an eternity with him. The knowledge that none of that can be taken away gives me peace and joy regardless of my circumstance.
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@Kelly
Praying for you ❤️
Lord, thank you for Kelly. Thank you for the love and care she has for her patients, and for the 10 years you have given her in this particular field of work. God, you know the internal struggles and tortures that Kelly faces. I pray that you would bring healing to her through your hand and wisdom to medical professionals as they help her. I pray for release and peace. I pray you would clearly direct her path in her job and open new doors if that is your will. I pray confidence in her current job, that she would be confident in the therapy she gives but more so confident in your ability to use her wherever you have her. In Jesus name, Amen. -
I am going to be transparent and ask for guidance from my fellow sisters. I have been going through alot of self doubt insecurity and bad anxiety since I became a believer 16 yrs ago. The self doubt is mainly with my job as a physical therapy assistant. Everytime I make a mistake it tears me up inside knowing I may have done something to harm someone. I can’t sleep and so anxious. I don’t know if it’s something physical or mental as I have both thyroid issues and being treated for depression. I have been a pta for 10 yrs and I love what I do but I question if this is really where God wants me. I am desperate for relief. Thank you all for listening.
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I used to think being joyful in suffering felt fake – sort of a fake it til you make it mentality. Then I finally grasped true joy. And it’s not pretending to be happy when you’re falling apart on the inside. It’s recognizing the hard, but still seeing the good. In death, celebrating the life well lived and knowing my MIL is in heaven. In work, trusting God to provide when my hours were cut and using the extra time to focus more on my kids. There is always joy to be had.
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I did a study on James a few years ago. The writer stressed that when the verse says count it all joy when you face various trials that the it is not the trials but the faith you have to get through them. He said God would not expect us to have joy when facing such trials but it’s our faith that God expects us to have joy in. Food for thought and does make the verse seem clearer for me to understand.❤️
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In my life journey walking with Jesus and facing trials of many kinds there have been times when it has been hard to be joyful. But God… Every time! But God… My Jesus has seen me through it. I have never felt abandoned because I know He is with me. And many times it’s been very painful. At times very scary to the point being afraid of my own shadow but even then I knew and I know my Jesus has never forsaken me. And being human, there were times when it was hard to be joyful and felt alone, as if I was the only one going through this, but in my heart I knew I wasn’t. I held (and still do) onto HIS PROMISE. That he would never leave me. I’ve said this before: HIS were the footprints on the sand.
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Rely on the Lord when you experience hardships and trust that your future with him is more than worth all the worldly chaos and obstacles you find yourself in.
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