Today we begin a new series on the book of James, starting in James 1:1-4. This series is all about putting feet to our faith and allowing the challenging truth in James to convict us and prove our faith is real! James boldly calls for action and fruit in our lives. He begins his book by encouraging believers in trials, by commanding us to consider JOY within our trials - but how? Our trials are really opportunities to think according to God’s truth; every trial is a chance to discover JOY that is eternal. God ordains trials because He will do a greater work in us, and it is through this that we can find eternal joy in the midst of suffering. Trials test our faith, which produces steadfastness that matures us in Christ. This is why Spurgeon says that avoiding trials is avoiding God’s blessing. How do you respond to trials? What work could God be doing in you?
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The discipline of fasting is the topic in Matthew 6:16-18, but Christ's message is that which matters most to him: a pure heart. Fasting...