James 1:2-4

Right out of the gate today, let's remember who James was. He was Jedus’s half brother. I can't remember if he was Joseph & Mary’s second son or not. He grew up with Jesus. He probably has stories to tell. Growing up with someone who didn't sin had to be difficult, and yet, here he is calling himself “a slave of God & Jesus”.

Even with Jesus as a brother, James probably went through things. He might have gotten bullied simply because Jesus was his brother. Ya know?

Keep something in mind, write it on your heart, God doesn’t “test our faith”. God is good and He can only do good. He doesn’t say, “Let’s see Jill, you need to go through something to prove you love Me. Let Me give you cancer.” He CANNOT give something He DOES NOT have! We live in a fallen sinful world with evil running rampant. Our faith will be tested. Period. We’ve got to push through those difficult times. Shift your focus to what you DO have, not what you don’t.

I hate to be the bad news bear, but our endurance won’t fully be developed and we will NOT be perfect, until we get to Heaven. That’s when we will be complete & need nothing. But that day is coming! Hold on and let God get you through, ok?