James 1
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings.
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.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
12 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. 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. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
When People are very interested in the Bible and the First Council of Nicaea - a lot of questions are asked. In fact, it was well said in the 1500's - a discussion, not a fact - the Disciple John was not as close to Jesus in Heaven as His Brother Jude. Hence the list of Books of the Bible - Jude is closer to Revelation than John.... We all want the personable side of Jesus. And this is why Jude is placed so close to Revelation. It's interesting and cute but not exactly the seriousness of the Sphinx. More like a Care Bear.
Now if we have a yen for this to be true, we might instead look at something a little more durable in the Bible.
In the Photo - Copy of the 500 or more year old thoughts on the Bible of Martin Luther.
The First Chapter of Books of the Bible is interesting. This is Important to the Author. Thee Author. And because this 1st in importance to James, the Brother of Jesus Christ - he tells us of Temptation and fully explains from eyewitness, been-there-done-that with the necessary and most important ingredient - Redemption.
Forgiveness is fully Redemption. John 7 tells of Sibling Conflict. James starts with the Dispersion as in relationship and ends with being kept in holiness - wholeness. We know Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit write the Chapter with James - and even with the disagreements, James is bold enough to say count it all Joy. Giving us even further reality and eyewitness of the depth of God's Mercy.
Abba,
We lift up the drought and flood situations. And ask for their comfort and hope with assurance of safety.
Giving Thanks for the Beaux Springer Spaniel's increase in ear health. And for me included in the list of people beginning to feel the effects of fall allergies. Your Blessing of Health, we ask in the Name of Jesus.
As we celebrate Harvest, Hallowed Days and Thanksgiving - we have the Blessings of Christmas giving to begin to not rush Your Birthday. To have the Blessing of relaxed gift giving. Creating more Jesus for the Season of Christmas. - If you are so inclined.
Thank You, Father God for the summer and the beauty of Family Time. With inspired prayers for cooler temperatures.
For Your Name to Cover those we Love. Jesus to cover this Nation. The cares we pray about. All Nations Trusting in You - to be Blessed. And the same for the Children of God in loving communication with You.
Jesus Christ is God!
Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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