How prayer and faith go together

Prayer is asking for rain.

Faith is carrying an umbrella.

Anon.

Remain in His grip! John 10:28

One benefit of the coronavirus

God's Uses of Suffering

While going through some files last week, I came across a sheet which must have come from a Bible study class.  It was called, "God's Uses of Suffering."  Seems quite appropriate to review such a list for a time like this.

General: Suffering is part of the ways and means by which God leads Christians through this world into eternal life (Acts 14:22b; 2 Corinthians 4:17)

Specific:
  Suffering makes us humble before God and leads us to put our confidence in the grace of God (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

  Suffering moves us to pray (Psalm 18:6)

  Suffering advances the progress of sanctification.  Sinful desires and practices that once seemed important now seem insignificant when one's life is in jeopardy (1 Peter 4:11)

  Suffering turns our eyes from what is seen and temporary to what is unseen and eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18

  Suffering develops perseverance, character and hope (Romans 5:3-5)

  Suffering enables us to comfort others who suffer (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

  Suffering proves the genuineness of our faith and will result in praise, honor, and glory when Christ returns (1 Peter 1:6-7)

  Suffering produces maturity and completeness (James 1:2-4)

Reading the Epistle of James

The Owner's Manual.  We're certain we don't need them.  But they sure come in handy.

For example, the last time I had my car in for service, the digital clock got scrambled and wasn't showing the correct time.  There are two little buttons to set the time.  Should be easy to set the clock correctly, right? Maybe for you but not for me.  I messed with it and I fussed with it, all to no avail.  Finally, I got the Owner's Manual, red the short paragraph on "clock" and had the right time set in about two minutes.  Thank goodness for the Owner's Manual!

The Epistle of James serves as a manual of sorts for Christian disciples.  Over the course of five chapters the brother of Jesus deals with a variety of subjects.

 How do deal with temptation
 Hearing the Word of God and putting it into practice
 Loving your neighbor
 Putting faith to work through serving others

With James you get nothing but straight talk.  He's got no time for those who blame their problems on God or others.  He's not impressed by those who "talk the talk," but fail to "walk the walk."  Our Treasuring God's Word daily devotional (find a copy for your use at licl.org) will focus on James for the next two weeks.  As you read the Epistle you'll find  yourself being challenged by his words.  Read them carefully.  They were written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so these are God's Words to you.  Consider them.  Pray over them.  Identify those areas where growth in faith and obedience is needed.  And then ask the Holy Spirit to continue to do His sanctifying work in your heart and soul.

May your reading of James fill you with the wisdom that comes from heaven! (See 3:17)

God will provide!

From the journal...

He who prepared in Jesus the perfect peace we need for our souls will also provide what we need for our daily lives.

Richard Lauersdorf, "Together With Jesus," January 3

If you're on Facebook look for my "Word of Encouragement," video devotional.  It will be posted at 8 am.  

Online worship takes place at 9 am this Sunday.  You can find the service on LICL website, our Facebook page and our YouTube channel.  Join us!

Have a safe and peaceful weekend!

What matters to us matters to God

I'm slowly working through a book that was recommended to me, "The Praying Life," by Paul E. Miller.  One emphasis in the book early on that I've appreciated is that we children of God should approach God as our Heavenly Father.  In this way, prayer becomes less a formal thing and, instead, it becomes more like a child coming to their father to talk about life - to ask questions, to seek help and answers and to make requests.

Miller also writes about a blogger friend he's made named Cathie.  She has been quoted several times in the book and popped up in the chapter, "Understanding Cynicism, "Cathie responds to this thought and turns a neat phrase in doing so.  She writes:

“I make the jump from optimism to darkness so quickly because I am not grounded in a deep, abiding faith that God is in the matter no matter what the matter is.”

It's is important for us to remember that what matters to us, matters to God.

Looking toward the future!

Thanks to Adam Ford for today's coronavirus meme.