Trust and Obey
Spirituality/Belief • Books • Pets/Animals
This community is to share the Love of Christ. Discuss scripture and how it relates to the world today. I will be telling you about how scripture has changed my life.

I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to. 

I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
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August 12, 2024
James 1:2-3 / Verses of the Day & Daily Devotion

Great Joy

James, the half-brother of Jesus, couldn’t believe that his flesh-and-blood sibling was the actual Son of God—until He rose from the dead. Then, he was convinced. It was that same James who wrote:

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1:2-3‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬

According to the first-century Jewish historian, Josephus, James was eventually martyred for his confident faith in Jesus—his brother and his Lord.

Here are five things to note from James’ mini-sermon:

  • First, the text says “when troubles of any kind come your way…” It’s not if troubles come our way, but when. We live in a broken world that has not yet been fully restored, so we shouldn’t be surprised when issues and challenges arise.

  • Second, the text says “when troubles of any kind come your way…” Not merely justified trouble or undeserved trouble, but any kind of trouble. And even when troubles find you, it’s an opportunity for joy.

  • Third, the text connects hardships with the testing of our faith. This doesn’t mean that God causes every challenge in our life, but He can certainly use them to reveal what’s inside. It’s in the refining that we’re made to look like Him.

  • Fourth, the text says, especially during difficult seasons or situations, to “consider it an opportunity for great joy.” Happiness is dependent on circumstances, but joy is accessible no matter what.

  • Fifth, the text implies that troubles, trials, or difficulties all create space for endurance to grow. Think of a flower: In order for a flower to grow, it has to go through something—that something being dirt.

So when you’re faced with hard things and can’t understand why, consider it an opportunity for great joy. That’s when you know that you’re growing and becoming more like Him.

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Matthew 6:33 / Verse of the Day & Daily Devotion

First Things First

There are plenty of things in life that beg for our attention. Our days are filled with relationships and responsibilities, all of which take time.

In Jesus’ famous sermon in Matthew 6, He spends some time talking about the various things we give our attention to. He explains that instead of spending all of our time and energy worrying about our basic need and desires in life, we should first seek His kingdom and His righteousness. If we do that, everything else will fall into place.

So, what does it mean to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness? 

God’s kingdom is about God’s rule and reign over all of creation. His kingdom was unleashed during Jesus’ ministry on earth, and is now growing and expanding throughout the global Church. The work of the kingdom is to continue to tell others about the hope of Jesus, and to teach everything that Jesus has commanded.

To seek God’s righteousness is to desire to live the way God intended. It's to live according to God’s...

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