Good Morning!

Hi, everyone:
 
We are going to start our new Bible study one week from today!!! I am so excited to know that Beth is just a few days away...I hope all of you fell in love with her teaching as much as I have over the past few years.

I am doing fantastic...yesterday I had the awesome experience of climbing Crowders Mountain with my Aunt Trish. We had an amazing time. It took us two hours of heavy sweat to complete the hike, but it was worth it!!! She told me that I would not be able to move this morning, but I feel great!! I am going to call her later and stick my tongue out at her...ha! ha!

This morning I decided to spend some time in the book of James. I wanted to share Chapter 1 with you!!! Hope all of you have a wonderful day!!! I pray that these words encourage you as much as they do me. These words put God's awesome glory into perspective for me!!!
 
James, Chapter 1
Written by:
"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord: he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown gives birth to death.

Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and , after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does.

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
 
Each and every one of us faces trials from day to day. Some trials are bigger than others. Yet, they are all important to us. Each time we are faced with a trial, it is important that we do not stay focused on why these things happen to us. God does not cause hardships to come on us to teach us a lesson. The evil of this world causes hardships. For example, after much research, I now know that my lifestyle was very conducive to allowing cancer to grow in my body. I did not eat like I should have. Sugar and processed (quick) foods were a staple in my diet. I did not exercise like I should have. I put way too much stress in my life trying to please everyone and make myself look like a superhero. I was terrible about not telling people how they really made me feel. It was easier for me to keep everyone happy and keep those emotions suppressed within me. Now, you tell me, is this how God's word instructs us to live? NO...God did not cause this cancer. My willingness to follow this world did. The good news is that God is using this cancer for good. He is maturing me in His word and His ways. I know that this trial is changing me for the better. I cannot doubt the perfect will of God. I will not be double-minded in my perseverance to find God's purpose in my life. He is the only one that can truly heal me, and I believe with all of my heart that He is going to!!! I cannot doubt that. I love my God, and I want to be a miracle from Him so that I can spend my life proclaiming His works. So, when you are tempted and you succumb to temptations...do not blame God!!! Embrace Him to help you through the trial and make you a stronger believer through the trial. He will shower you with the gifts from above!!! Even when you don't expect them. When we are going through trials, it is very easy to become short-tempered with people and treat others from the emotions you are experiencing. Don't give in to this "easy way out". Control yourself when dealing with friends, family and even strangers. Everyone is watching you...especially when yo are going through trials. Be loving and kind because this is what God desires of us. How can we mature in our faith if we are not willing to live out what God wants us to represent each day. It is the restraint that you learn in these trials that will help mature you as a person. Spend time in the word reading about the way God wants us to represent Him while we are blessed to be here on earth with the ones we love. Act in a way that will make you able to look yourself in the mirror each morning and remember who God wants you to be. Smile at yourself and know that you are trying to seek the Word of God in all of your actions. No, we are not perfect and we all fall short, but I am going to give it my all!!! I love the end of this chapter because I have huge issues with people who "play" religion!!! To me it is like cursing God in His face. We make things too difficult. James explains it so simply in his words. "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and keep oneself from being polluted by the world." In other words, each and every day that you wake up, strive to learn and live the word of God. I can guarantee you, the more you learn about the word of God, the less appealing the things of this world will seem to you. You will long to take care of those around you that are in need. Do we need a local church? Of course we do. The word is very clear that we must come together to encourage one another. Does going to your local church and raising your hand during praise and worship make you a believer? No it does not!!! Loving the Lord with all of your heart and believing that Jesus Christ died for your sins makes y ou a believer. Loving the Lord will create a desire in you to please Him by knowing and living His word, which will then create a desire in you to take care of your fellow believers!!! It's really a beautiful cycle that is perfect in every way. It can even lead to the church of Acts that I love so much!!! So, hop on and join the ride of your life!!!!