Bible in a Year Series - Day #326 - This post is part of a year-long series where we are reading chronologically through the Bible. Click here to learn more. You are most welcome to join along at any time.
The book of James was written by "James the Just" as he was called. He was the brother of Jesus and the leader of the Jerusalem church.
Jesus Christ rocked the world with his death, resurrection, and announced new covenant. The people of God's growing church were being attacked on all sides as there were growing factions in the new church, the political authorities were trying to stamp out the church, as well as the pressure of just daily living and feeding your family.
James, in his short but much needed book, comes along and gives a very healthy dose of practical behaviors and responses that if followed might bring glory to God.
"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." (James 1:2-4)
Joy, testing of my faith, steadfastness? When I am in the middle of one of life's storms, these are not generally things I desire. I want out of my troubles.
Yet, as we have seen over, and over, and over again in our year-long journey, God is sovereign. Paul is going to tell us in coming days that all things work together for good to those whose belong to God.
As we all know, it one thing to make a profession of faith, but it is another thing all together to live this faith we profess.
I created and maintain a very simple website for a men's Bible study here in Scottsdale, Arizona. Back in October of 2009, while we were all still reeling in the throws of this great recession, Pastor Jamie Rasmussen (Sr. Pastor, Scottsdale Bible Church) started a series on the book of James called "Get Real".
If you would like to launch into a study of the book of James, you will find this series very practical and a friend in times of trouble.
Here's the link to the first session.
