James is my favorite book in the Bible. Lately though, I haven't been reading much of it. So I decided to challenge my boyfriend (and myself) to a study of James. Today is the first day we'll be reading it. For my study I'm reading it in three different versions, NIV, NLT and the Message. We're reading James 1:1-18 today.
This became my favorite book a couple of years ago when I first started getting into reading the Bible. It's got so many things to remember and advice for your entire life. I think ti's an important part of the Bible to study. James is located near the back of the Book, in the New Testament. It's right after Hebrews.
James is Jesus' brother. He wrote this book probably around 49 A.D. The book talks about trials and abotu faith being something you live out, not just in your words but also in your actions. Ever heard that actions speak louder than words? James believed this.
I just finished reading all three versions of these verses. The verses that stood out to me most are the ones I have heard a thousand times over. James 1:2 and 3.
NIV: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face trails of many kinds, becasue you know the the testing of your faith develops perserverence."
NLT: "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your failth is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."
Message: "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, you faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors."
In these verses it also talks about asking God for wisdom, but in the Message it puts it a different way. James 1: 5-8.
Message: "If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'llg et his help, and won't be condescended to whe you ask for it. Ask boldy, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything fromt eh Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open." (emphasis added.)
So if i were to apply the beginning verses to my relationship with Zach, I'd have to say that God is doing this to us to make us stronger in the end. Or to prepare us for what's to come, whether it's with each other or not. Which, I have to say, I hope it is with each other. But God's will be done.
We are to consider it 'a sheer gift'! Okay, then let's think about that. A sheer gift. What comes to your mind when you hear 'sheer gift'? If you look up sheer in the dictionary it comes up with several different results.
1. Transparently thin.
2.Unmixed with anything else.
3.Extending down or up very steeply; almost completely vertical.
4.Bright; shining.
5.Unqualified; utter.
Dictionary.com also gives you synonyms. Here's what it came up with: mere, simple, pure, unadulturated, absolute, downright, abrupt, precipitous, totally and entirely.
Okay. So James (or God, since this is His Word) means that it's a gift in it purest form; the best kind of gift possible. Being under pressure, having troubles, and being tested are gifts from God! Who would've guessed. It is true though, when in the Message it says that your faith-life shows it's true colors when it's under pressure.
Then, talking about verses 5-8, the Message says them way different than the other two versions. The others say to ask God for wisdom, the Message talks about not knowing what your doing. I guess they are the same, I've just never thought of it that way. The Message makes it sound so much simpler to go to God and ask for help. Isn't that what we all want is help? Direction? Someone to tell us if we're making the right choice or not? I know that's how I am. But most people I've met in my life don't tend to be that way. When I offer acvice no one seems to listen. And then I end up being right. I wonder if God feels that way. I bet he does, and way more often than I do.
I also like at the very end of verse 8 when its talking about trying to get God to help you but you keep all your options open. That sounds a lot like me. I want to follow God in all my ways, but I like to keep my options open. Like, maybe I can do it all on my own. I like to be in control of everything. I feel safe when I'm in control of my life. But sooner or later when I am in control everything falls apart, but God is always there to pick up the pieces.
Well, there's day one out of 11 of my study of James.
I've been reading through James recently and loving it! Interesting to read your thoughts on it...
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