From the Desk of Pastor Matt

The verse of the day on BibleGateway.com for January 20th is:

James 1:2-3 (The Message)
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

If I remember correctly, Martin Luther called James an “epistle of straw.” It is safe to say that he didn’t think much of the letter. However, I do not think he would have totally dismissed it. Neither would I. In fact, I like this letter a lot. I identify with it in many ways. It tells me how my faith should look.

Also, it is written to people who were going through trials and struggles. That is what I really identify with. Like many of you, my life has had its share of hardships. No matter how old we are, we know what it is like to be frustrated and hurt by things in life. Kids often have parents who never find them acceptable. People lose jobs they need. Our health will go bad at some point. On and on the list goes of tribulations we must face in this earthly life.]

Life is full of hardship, and here James writes to the Christians spread across the land about it. I paid attention immediately when he started talking about tests and challenges. He does not say to go find those challenges. No, they usually will find you. However, he says, when they arrive, see how you can grow and learn from those challenges.

So, that is how I was encouraged this morning. No matter what comes my way, it can make me stronger, smarter, and closer to Christ. Since I was a kid, I loved the scripture that said God will not give you more than you can bear. I have often heard the joke about that which says, “I wish God didn’t have so much confidence in me!” However, that’s the thing: God does have confidence in us to get through these things. God will walk with us, but we need to keep on moving in life.
 
Peace,
 

Pastor Matt