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God's Words For US
by Cecelia Lester
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds. For you know the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-3 (ESV)
I must admit; I have misread this verse for a long time. In planning my posts for this month, I chose this one because it speaks of faith.
I read it and reread it and couldn’t figure out why it read differently, until I realized what it said, ‘meet trials.’ It doesn’t say ‘have trials’ Another translation says, “Face trials’
Jesus tells us “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Many times, I have found comfort in these words. We can follow James’ prescription for facing the vexing events of life when we remember Christ’s words.
James speaks of faith leading to steadfastness which leads to perfection and completeness in which we will lack nothing. This tells me that our faith is a foundation on which God builds as He makes us into the person, He desires us to be.
An evangelist we all used to enjoy hearing once gave a formula for getting through the trials of life. He told us to face those trials, then place those trials (at Jesus’ feet), then let Him erase those trials.
(1) Life Application Bible (NIV), Tyndale House Inc., Zondervan Publishing House, ©1991Page 2244.
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Cecelia Lester has been serious about her writing for over two decades..
She composes Christian essays and posts them to her blog quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
She has served in a faith-based organization, Grace In Action by writing two newsletters and searching for possible grants.
In July 2017, she published her first book, 'Times of Trouble Bring Rays of Joy.'
She and her husband of 54 years live in central Indiana. They have one grown son.
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