How are my trials perfecting me?
Yesterday
We LOOKED at what we should ‘know’ to endure trials.
What do you know the testing of our faith produces?
Today
We want to LOOK at what else we are to ‘do’ when we encounter various trials.
Open GODcha to the Book of James.
NOTE:
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Or, you can use your hardbound Bibles and follow along.
You can print off this post and put in a Notebook!
Let’s Open the Word with Prayer
Oh Lord, as we come to Your word today, quiet our hearts and open our eyes to see. Let our cry come before You O LORD; give us understanding as to what You are saying and why. Help us to understand how we are to think and live according to Your Word, (Psa 119:169). Thank you!
LOOK at What God Says!
Let GODcha guide you in your discovery.
Where will you start?
Read God’s Word
Read James 1:2-4 again, with a questioning mindset.
There is no better way to train ourselves to read asking the 5W’s and H, than to do it.
According to James 1:4
What are we to ‘do’?
Why?
Unlock the Meaning
Let’s jump in and find out what 
‘letting endurance have its perfect result’ is all about.
Understand the Words God Uses
The Meaning Makes ALL the Difference
Dictionary Tutorial >What does ‘let’ and ‘perfect’ mean?
‘Let’ is a verb.
The Grammar for ‘let‘ is another command. It’s not an option.
Perfect, éleios; goal, purpose. Finished, that which has reached its end, complete, full, wanting in nothing.
Complete, holóklēros; complete in every part, i.e. perfectly sound (in body):—entire, whole.
TIP: Remember to take the meaning back to the text!
“And let endurance [perseverance, remaining under the trial] have its perfect [complete end; wanting in nothing] result…
so that you will be perfect [complete end; wanting in nothing] and complete [whole] lacking in nothing.”
Truth Explains Truth
Cross References/Word Search Tutorial >
Consider the Cross References for ‘perfect result’.
Remember to THINK and REASON by asking the 5W’s and H.
1. What is the perfect result according to Romans and Ephesians?
a. To be conformed to the image of Christ. (Rom 8:28-29)
b. To attain to the unity of the faith, a mature man. (Eph 4:13)
2. In Philippians, what is our responsibility in perfection?
We press on to perfection. (Phil 3:12)
3. What did Peter say about God’s responsibility?
After we have suffered, God will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. (1Pe 5:10)
What Did We LEARN?
Let’s Sum It Up!
We have LEARNED:
In the midst of our trials that test our faith we are to:
Let God Work
Let the endurance have its perfect result
This is a command. It is not optional.
Understand God is:
Conforming us to the image of Christ.
Maturing us.
We ARE: to press on to perfection.
God WILL: perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish us.
THINK . . .About our need to be like Christ.
God may be trying to:
Humble us (remember Paul);
Cause us to love Him above all things, thus separating us from the things that separate us from Him (remember Abraham);
Prompt us to be less influenced by the things of this world (remember Phillip);
Get our focus off ourselves, that dying to self (remember Jesus words to His disciples);
Cause us to put the interest of others before ourselves (remember Paul’s words to the Philippians).
And the list goes on and on.
We see: The Testing Is Our Road to Maturity.
Hear and Respond to God!
LISTEN…
Am I obeying God’s command, letting Him do His perfect work?
Or, am I fighting and resisting Him?
How is the trial (the testing) conforming me, changing my thinking, behavior and words?
What will I do to press on to perfection?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
Let’s Wind Down
Meditate on what God is showing you!
If you and I miss what God is trying to do in our trials today,
what kind of trial will He have to send next?
“Consider what He is saying and let Him give you understanding in everything,” (2Ti 2:7).
Record Your Discovery in Your Notes
As we close for the day remember, take a minute to journal your encounter with God.
Put the Definitions and Cross References not only in your Notes, but also in your hardbound Bibles next to Jam 1:2-4.
Video Tutorial > Notes Tutorial>
Take What We Have LEARNED and Turn It Into a Prayer
If you need help…
OH HEAVENLY FATHER, we thank you for Your precious Word. Thank you that it is a sure Word. I ask Father, that You help each of us wrap our head and hearts around what we are to know and do in the midst of our trials that test our faith. May you cement these truths down deep in our hearts. Bring them to our remembrance everyday as we encounter various trials, and help us let You conform us to the image of Christ. You are maturing each one of us Your way. So Father, may we stop fighting and resisting You; stop grumbling and complaining; stop feeling sorry for ourselves; and stop demanding what we want. Oh Father, may we relax and trust You! May we have an attitude adjustment and obediently consider it all joy. Knowing that You know exactly what You are doing. May we obey You and let go. May we begin this day to cling to You and let You work, knowing that after we have suffered, You will strengthen and establish us. May we remember it is for our good and Your glory. May we glorify You Father, and You, sweet Jesus, our Savior and Lord, in whose name we pray and ask these things. Amen!
I can’t wait to meet with you tomorrow to bring this all together. You will be blessed!
Next: We’ll Wrap it all Up with a Review of James 1:2-4.
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