'Testing of your faith produces perseverance'

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

-James 1:2-3

Trials come in lots of varieties and sizes. Recently, our home has been hit by harassment and vandalism by unknown people. It started with late-night doorbell ringing and escalated to tomato-throwing at our garage and front doors a few days ago. It happens off and on, sometimes as long as two weeks without incident.

Especially after we cleaned up smashed tomatoes off our doors in the middle of the night, I've had a lot of uncharitable thoughts about the culprits and have sat up late more than once.

After reading these verses from James, perhaps I need to adjust my attitude. So I've pledged myself that I will pray daily for the vandals.

Will it stop? I don't know. Will I still stay up late occasionally? Probably. Should they still held accountable? Yes.

Will testing my faith help me produce perseverance? Yes. And that's what it's about.

'Blessed is the one who perseveres'

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

-James 1:12

The book of James is one my faves. It's chocked full of practical advice on how to handle day-to-day issues - but always with a higher goal than just getting through a single day.

How many times are people - including you and me - "under trial." Work issues. Health. Money. Home  Family. It's tempting to give up. James reminds us that God will help you persevere and stand the test of the moment - because he stands with you far past the moment.


James 1:12 from Jeff Porter on Vimeo.

'Do what it says'

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

-James 1:22

It's a busy world out there - so easy to get wrapped up on TV, telephones, computers, e-mail, text, etc. Much of the time, it seems, all we do is listen (or read, as in Facebook or Twitter).

I love to listen to the word. Often, in my running sessions, I plug in Bible recordings and just listen. It helps the miles disappear. I've gleaned so much understanding from just running along, with only Scripture with me.

So there's a time to listen and read, of course. But as James wrote, don't fool yourself - listening isn't all there is to it. You also must "do."

That's also the hard part. We can become so passive as we read or listen. The challenge to respond - at whatever level our abilities allow - is, to steal a Nike phrase, "just do it."



(Image by glorifing on Photobucket)

'Testing of your faith develops perseverance'

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

-James 1:2-3

"Faith." "Perseverance." "Joy."

Often, those are not words that are easy for those recovering from a stroke or those witnessing a loved one struggling. Such trials can indeed cause suffering and cannot be made light of. Of those without faith, words like "joy" are often taken lightly, but in the context of James, "joy" isn't used flippantly. Not transient, fleeting, human-generated joy - but joy that surpasses every pleasure in this life.

Keep your fellow stroke survivors or loved ones in your prayers - for faith leading to perseverance leading to joy.