James 1:1-8; Psalm 136:5-9

James 1:1-8

The book of James with written by Jesus' half-brother, who of course was Jewish. He wrote to Jewish believers who were scattered abroad. He identifies himself only as a "slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ." v. 1

We find a great challenge in vv. 2-4, "...when troubles 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 (mature) and complete, needing nothing."  Notice that James says, "when" troubles come, rather than "if" they come. So we know they WILL come, but they don't have to defeat us. Remember that we can learn from our troubles, and they can make us better people and better Christians. We can learn that faith will take us safely through testing which will increase our endurance. The way we react under pressure shows our true character and the quality of our faith. So be strong in the Lord!

"If you need wisdom..." Who doesn't? "...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." We must ask out of a pure heart because we are trusting God and not for any selfish reasons.

Psalm 136:5-9
These verses remind us that God created everything: the heavens, the earth, the heavenly lights--the sun to rule the day and the moon and stars to rule the night. This is followed by the refrain, "His faithful love endures forever." Perhaps we are meant to remember every time we notice anything in nature that God's faithful love endures forever.