6/3/22

Our scripture this morning is James 1:2-8.

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

James tells us that when we are divided in our loyalty between God and the world, we are “as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind” (v. 6). Sadly, it happens to many of us. When we let the world dictate our thoughts and actions rather than what God has taught us, we feel turmoil.

Jesus came to show us that the world has no eternal power over us and that by putting our trust in God, we can overcome the ways of the world. His way is the path to truth and love and everlasting life. Nothing is worth more than being connected to the Lord forever.

Giving our lives to Him is easy, following Him every day of our lives is more difficult. When we find the world intruding on our faith, we must recognize it and ask God for strength to continue as Jesus told us. Prayer and repentance are the way back to a full relationship with Him.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we ignore Your love and fall into sin. Help us to lead new lives every day, to be part of Your kingdom work in the world. Amen.

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