Day 6 – The Road
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” — James 1:2–3 (ESV) Tomorrow we gather. It’s Mother’s Day, and we’ll be hearing from a special speaker — so we won’t be opening James 1:1–12 together as I’d planned. But […]
Day 5 – Doing the Word
“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” — James 1:22 (ESV) This week James has been forming a rhythm in you. Three movements, three responses: There’s a becoming — let the trial do its work. There’s giving and receiving — open your hands and ask. There’s an immense preciousness — treasure […]
Day 4 – There’s an Immense Preciousness
“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.” — James 1:12 (ESV) What does the long road of trial lead to? It’s tempting to read this and think the prize is […]
Day 3 – There’s Giving and Receiving
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” — James 1:5 (ESV) You don’t have what you need. That’s not a failure. That’s the design. James doesn’t tell you to dig deeper into your own resources. He tells you to […]
Day 2 – There’s a Becoming
“Let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” — James 1:4 (ESV) There’s a becoming happening in you right now. The trial isn’t doing what you think. It feels like loss. It feels like being broken. But James says the testing of your faith is producing something […]
Day 1 – Trial Is Not a Detour
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” — James 1:2 (ESV) James doesn’t say if. He says when. You’re going to face trial. The hard week at work. The conversation that gutted you. The diagnosis you didn’t want. The slow drift in a marriage. The kid who stopped calling. […]