You Never Let Go!

This song inspired me a lot. When I thought there was no hope - this song spoke to my heart and has comforted me a lot!

I Know Him

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love", a photo by mel.bell on Flickr.

Jeremiah 9:24
but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

I will boast in Him. That I know Him. That I've known him to be a God who loves unconditionally and is steadfast and faithful. I might be weak - but I trust in a God who is strong and sovereign.

I will Boast in my Weakness

James 1:2

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

When you mean trials of various kinds, you become weak. But it's a great time for God's power to be revealed. It's a great time to see God magnified. It's a great time to see him high and lifted up.

You are strong when you are weak.

Perfect in Weakness

James 1:2

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

2 Corinthians 12:9a

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

When you are weak - when you face trials of various kinds - it's time to lean harder into God's amazing grace. His Power is made perfect in weakness. When you have no merit of your own - you are strong because he shows himself strong for you.

His grace is sufficient for you - in every situation.

This season of my life has been quite hard. I am leaning on Him to help me. I feel terribly weak and unqualified. But God is faithful. Though I may not know everything, his power will be made perfect in my weakness.

Attitudes of Joy and Reason

I have nothing to fear as long as I'm held in the arms of my Savior. Be joyfully aware that God is holding your hand - like the girl in the picture!

James 1:2

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

Philippians 4: 4-5

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;

You need to reason out you fears - instead of becoming anxious, be joyful. You're reason for joy is because you know that Your God is on the throne. Make sure you always act and believe in that - the Lord is at hand - the Lord is near.

Let your life reflect that.

The only one you are trusting is God himself - not your own ability. You don't rely on your own personality but only that the Lord who is at hand goes before you to make your paths straight.

Patience

Philippians 4:5-6
Let all know that you are patient. Do not be anxious, but always make your requests known to God in earnest prayer and thanksgiving;

If you know you are trusting in a God who answers prayers and hears you when you cry - you will act in a way that truly shows that.

You will be reasonable.

You will be patient.

Because you know you're God is Lord over all.

Even over all the storms of life.

You will be thankful when it's easy to complain and whine. You will be happy because God takes care of your daily needs. You won't worry about the future but will be generous because you know God will take care of you.

God's Word is Comforting

This morning I woke up to the book of James:

James 1:2-4
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I find it hard to memorize scripture but I really need to do it. Especially now, during this trying time. I need to keep reminding myself - this time of trying produces steadfastness.

It brings you to your knees.

It shows you how powerless you are.

And how Sovereign God is - He is above all - he owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He loves and sustains his people.

I need to trust him and know that this time of testing makes me steadfast. I need to remind myself not to give in to the temptation of thinking that God is not sovereign and in control. I need to learn to set apart God as Lord in my heart so I can experience the peace that passeth all understanding.

Philippians 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.


We need to rejoice and really count all the trials we face joyfully.

You will be perfect and complete - lacking in nothing. :)

Temptation Makes You Stronger - Endurance is Key to Growing

James 1:3
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

1 Peter 1:7
so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes

Romans 5:3
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,

Quoting from ESV Study Bible:
"Trials test faith in order to make spiritual pilgrimages complete."

God is Sovereign over your Trials

James 1:2
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

Be happy - that's the end note - because you realize that God is sovereign over everything - including your circumstances.

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Know God is above all - and let him use the situation to teach you something new about His character - or yours for that matter - so you can get stronger.

Keep asking yourself hard questions about your faith and what you truly believe in.

Do you really believe "Nothing is impossible for God"? Can you trust him to take care of all the trials that you face?

Do you exalt your situation more than you exalt you God?

Who is your God?

You can truly count it all joy when you keep you faith rooted in God - and that spurs you on to endure it.

God is faithful.

1 Corinthians 10:13
God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Temptations & Trials - Don't Be Surprised

James 1:2
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Temptations and trials are often used interchangeably in the Bible.

When you are faced with temptation, don't be surprised.

When you feel like you are the only one facing that temptation, you separate yourself from community. When you separate yourself from community, you become an easy target for falling - because two are better than one.

Instead, count it all joy - because overcoming temptation makes you stronger.

James 1:3
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Temped in Every Way, Yet Without Sin

Heb 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.


James 4:13
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

These 2 verses seem to contradict each other. Jesus was tempted - we have a clear account of it in the gospels - yet James insists that Jesus cannot be tempted by evil.

Jesus was fully man & fully God when He was on the earth. So because he was fully man, he was tempted. And tempted in Every way.

Yet without sin.

And because of this, he can understand the plight of being human and sinful - and he extends grace to the believer.

Because of this, we have a wonderful assurance of access to God...
Heb 4:16
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Tempted in Every Way - Well acquainted with Pain

James 1:2
2Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

Heb 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Heb 2:18
For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Heb 5:2
He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.

Isa 53:3
He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces

Jesus himself was tempted in every way. He was well acquainted with pain & trials.

Yet without sin.

We have a High Priest who understands - who can help us in our time of need - he's been in our shoes.

Reminds me of a song by Petra: He's Been in My Shoes

Temptation - Not more than you can handle

James 1:2
2Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.


The picture says it all. :)

Temptation is an opportunity!

James 1:2
2Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

Temptation is really an opportunity to grow.

I came across this wonderful blog post on temptation: http://www.branchpastor.com/2011/08/growing-through-temptation.html

God is Sovereign - Everything works together for Good!

James 1:2
2Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

Romans 8:28
We are assured and know that [[a]God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

Everything works out for good. God is Sovereign and nothing that happens to us is beyond his control - it's never beyond His sovereignty. While we seek his will, we rest assured that everything works together for good.

God is Sovereign - The Early Church

James 1:2
2Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

The early church suffered persecution from their own Jewish brothers - apart from the general pain they had to suffer under foreign rule. James is writing to those scattered - "count it all Joy!"

God is Sovereign. We live our lives to fulfill his purposes. It isn't God fulfilling our dreams - but us living for his purpose and glory.

This scattering of the believers resulted in the church spreading to the far corners of the world. If the early church did not recognize this as a move of God, the faith wouldn't have lasted through all the pain they had to go through.

We are living for God's purposes. The spotlight's on Him - not us. We fulfill his purposes in our lives - be faithful to the one who called us.

This is one of my biggest takeaways from the teaching at Redemption Hill. He must increase - we must decrease. We're living for his glory. Every week, this central theme of the gospel is taught and reinforced.

God is Sovereign - Scripture Passages

James 1:2
Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

Some wonderful scripture passages are compiled here (click).

I've compiled my list of scriptures pointing to God's Sovereignty - some of which are also from the link I shared above:

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Rom 9:14-15 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

Ps 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

Ps 135:6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

Ps 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Deut 10:17 For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:

Deut 32:39 See now that I, even I, am he,and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

Ps 29:10 The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King forever.

Ps 75:6-7 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Ps 96:10 Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shell not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

Ps 97:1 The Lord reigneth; the the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.

Ps 103:6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

Ps 10:16 God is King forever

Ps 24:1 The Earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein.

Ps 47:7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

Ps 74:12 For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.

Ps 82:1 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

Ps 145:11-13 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

Ex 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine

Deut 4:39 Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else

Deut 10:14 Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.

Isa 40:28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.

Isa 66:1-2 Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

Luke 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.

Job 38:4-7 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

God is Sovereign - Quote by Arthur W Pink

James 1:2
Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

I liked this quote by Arthur W Pink:

"What is God's remedy for dejection at apparent failure in our labours? This—the assurance that God's purpose cannot fail, that God's plans cannot miscarry, that God's will must be done. Our labours are not intended to bring about that which God has not decreed."

God is Sovereign!

James 1:2
Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

Something we all struggle with every once in a while - why is there suffering in this world? Why can't God just take it away?

I personally struggled (and still do) with the fact that my mother had to suffer suffer a lot of pain before she passed away 10 years ago. It was almost as if her life crumbled around her. And this was in spite of her great devotion to Jesus and her constant prayers and fasting.

Simon Murphy's sermon titled 'God and Revelation' on March 4, 2012 at Redemption Hill Church, Singapore helped put things into perspective. If you want to listen to the message: http://www.rhc.org.sg/media/rhcsg120304_beforewebegin_sm.mp3 or check out the sermon notes: http://www.rhc.org.sg/media/rhcsg120304_beforewebegin_sm.pdf

On a side note, I love Redemption Hill - the community, sermons, passion of the elders, pursuit for God, excellence - it's an amazing church. In case you're in Singapore, please consider visiting! We meet at the Auditorium, Oriental Plaza, Level 3, 291 New Bridge Road Singapore 088756.

The Jewish Dispersion

James 1:1
1JAMES, A servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered abroad [among the Gentiles in the dispersion]: Greetings ([a]rejoice)!

This book is addressed to:

The Jewish Dispersion started in 6th Century BC. This was brought about by the Babylonians and Assyrians and later followed by the Romans around Jesus time.

James addresses his epistle to the whole Jewish Diaspora scattered throughout the world.

Today, because of Jesus, we are counted among the children of Abraham - Galatians 3:29.

29And if you belong to Christ [are in Him Who is Abraham's Seed], then you are Abraham's offspring and [spiritual] heirs according to promise.

Some thoughts:

Unlike other epistles which explicitly address the believers of the Lord Jesus Christ, James simply says - to the Dispersion - almost like he assumes all Jews believe in Jesus? Or was it something he really looked forward to?

James!

Last year around this time I studied the book of Proverbs - listened to it over and over a million times - trying to internalize it.

This year, I decided to study the Proverbs of the New Testament. Spent a long time listening to it on my audio bible. But I want to go deeper - read and study the scripture. So this is my attempt to do that.

Got myself Olive Tree Bible Reader (https://www.olivetree.com/) and bought the ESV Study Bible for my bible study. I'm excited about this.

I think this book is really exciting and pragmatic in its approach. Eventually I want to study all the books of the bible.

My Audio Bible of choice: The Bible Experience (http://www.bibleexperience.com/)

A Chance to Grow! - James 1:3

Testing is a good thing. No matter how bad it seems at first.

It tests your understanding of What you think about God. About what you think of his spoken Word. Makes you wonder who you are really living for. What motivates you.

It takes you back to the scripture. Shows you more who you really are.


It's a chance to grow.

When you see injustice - do you only care about what happens to you? Do you only fight for yourself? Do you fight for the widows and the orphans?

Are you letting God fight for you? Or are you always taking matters to your own hands? Do you really think God cares enough to fight for you?

Are you the god of your own life?

Do you actually believe it when it says - God executes judgement - putting down one and lifting up another? (Ps 75:6-7)