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James 1:2 ~ Consider it pure joy..... - 11/22/2008 10:12:29 PM
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AbbyGrace
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I have really been thinking about this verse lately, and I'm sure it's because of what I have been faced with, so I wanted to share it with everyone, and to get your views and thoughts on it.
James 1:2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Do we face trials with joy? I know I don't always, I sometimes pray that the trials will stop, but I also know that it's during my trials that I'm learning and I'm being taught the true meaning of endurance. But I wonder how many people get to this place, and they turn back because they feel it's too hard?
I believe that it's during trials, that we find out who we are, what we are made of, and our weaknesses.
I'm trying so hard to rejoice during trials, and to believe that God finds me worthy and that's why I feel like I'm being put to the test. Does anyone else struggle with this?
Thanks,
Abby Grace
_____________________________
Hebrews 12:14 "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." 
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RE: James 1:2 ~ Consider it pure joy..... - 11/22/2008 10:19:55 PM
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MrFribbles
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From: Hawaii, but I've moved around since then
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I'm pretty sure everyone with a heartbeat struggles with this, to some degree or another. : ) Keep it up! It's never easy, but it's always worth it.
_____________________________
You're a door without a key,
A field without a fence.
You've made a holy fool of me,
And I've thanked you ever since.
- Aaron Weiss
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RE: James 1:2 ~ Consider it pure joy..... - 11/22/2008 10:21:22 PM
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Focusing
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Yes. Sometimes the trials are very difficult. But I know once I reach the other side, everything is better.
This is one of my favorite verses. My son's birthday is 1/23 and James is part of his name, and he can be quite the handful. When I read these verses it was an "aha" moment ... like God shared a big warm smile and hug with me.
_____________________________
Instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend. That would be giving as the angels give.
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RE: James 1:2 ~ Consider it pure joy..... - 11/22/2008 10:31:37 PM
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LCannon
Posts: 1225
Joined: 2/22/2007
From: Lebanon, OR
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Joy is a condition of a heart in obedience; one can be miserable(remember Paul/Silas in prison?)and have joy outside the misery. Happiness can be fleeting since it's mere emotion however even puppy love is no less real to the puppy.
< Message edited by LCannon -- 11/23/2008 12:12:26 AM >
_____________________________
"It may be that when the angels go about their task of praising God they play
only Bach. I am sure, however, that when they are together en famille they
play Mozart and then too our dear Lord listens with special pleasure."(Karl Barth)
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RE: James 1:2 ~ Consider it pure joy..... - 11/22/2008 10:34:33 PM
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delete123
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Focusing
Yes. Sometimes the trials are very difficult. But I know once I reach the other side, everything is better.
This is one of my favorite verses. My son's birthday is 1/23 and James is part of his name, and he can be quite the handful. When I read these verses it was an "aha" moment ... like God shared a big warm smile and hug with me.
Geez great Focusing!
I named my son Jacob! So is this what I have to look forward to?
I knew I would need a Phd before he turned 5, and you are certainly not helping me any, boy I hope God has ((big))) squeezs for me! (So I'm not an orange. but maybe a lemon!  )
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RE: James 1:2 ~ Consider it pure joy..... - 11/23/2008 9:01:58 AM
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SonInMe1
Posts: 3164
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These verses came to my mind on a certain Wednesday earlier in November....
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You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: James 1:2 ~ Consider it pure joy..... - 11/23/2008 1:57:37 PM
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deermousie
Posts: 1948
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Yeah, we all struggle with this. It seems so illogical... until you look at the bigger picture. Jesus faced the crucifixion - murder by slow torture - and kept His focus on the joy set before Him: the salvation on His lost people and restoration of a relationship with them.
We can throw a party because it causes us to grow in grace, be more like Him, and achieves God's purposes (some of which we don't know - are you willing to face "surgery" from a Heavenly Father who doesn't tell you there's an ax sticking out of your head?)?
Mostly it's an act of faith. David said,
Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
James said:
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1
Peter said:
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. 1 Pet. 1: 6 ff
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Want to know where a certain word or phrase in the Bible is found? www.biblegateway.com Yay!
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RE: James 1:2 ~ Consider it pure joy..... - 11/23/2008 2:25:32 PM
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AbbyGrace
Posts: 660
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I have really been thinking on this verse. Last night I began to write, and as I was writing, God began to show me what all He has taught me in these last 7 months, and it amazed me. To love during the hurt, even when you arent loved back...to be able to forgive, when you dont feel like that person deserves it....to be able to say, Im sorry, when you wont get a sorry in return....to endure, perserverance, patience, trusting God's timing...to fight the good fight of faith, and to know that its been God carrying me all along.
So I have learned, during my trials, that there are powerful lessons that we are being taught, and we should be thankful that God finds us worthy, and He is constantly making us and molding us! Ive learned to stop rolling in my self-pity, and stop asking, "Why me Lord, and to say, "Thank you Lord."
He is teaching me to see myself, as He sees me, not as a VICTIM but as a VICTOR! Im learning, that if Im not ever faced with trials, then how will I ever really be able to tell someone else, "God loves you, He will see you through and you can trust Him." I wont, unless I allow Him to show me these things. So, instead of being resentful and focusing on my pain....today, Im praising Him for the powerful things He has taught me, and today, I know He is proud of me. 
_____________________________
Hebrews 12:14 "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord."
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RE: James 1:2 ~ Consider it pure joy..... - 11/23/2008 3:41:13 PM
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sparkleingsnow
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Wonderful testamony AbbyGrace!
_____________________________
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is
within me, bless his holy name.
Psalm 103:1
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RE: James 1:2 ~ Consider it pure joy..... - 11/23/2008 8:58:16 PM
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colliefan
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From: Raleigh, NC
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Heb 12:1 - 2 (ESV) 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Chew on this phrase for a while.
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RE: James 1:2 ~ Consider it pure joy..... - 11/23/2008 9:12:51 PM
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psalm100
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Yes, I struggle with being joyful in the midst of trial. I am dealing with a situation now where there seems like there is no way out. I feel stuck, but I must be joyful in the midst of adversity. It really really takes the Lord to do allow us to be joyful. It's human nature to be sad, sorrowful, and impatient during trials. Lord continue to work on me!!!!
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Stay on the Path to Righteousness.
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RE: James 1:2 ~ Consider it pure joy..... - 11/23/2008 9:14:56 PM
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AbbyGrace
Posts: 660
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quote:
ORIGINAL: psalm100
Yes, I struggle with being joyful in the midst of trial. I am dealing with a situation now where there seems like there is no way out. I feel stuck, but I must be joyful in the midst of adversity. It really really takes the Lord to do allow us to be joyful. It's human nature to be sad, sorrowful, and impatient during trials. Lord continue to work on me!!!!
Well, what Im learning to do, is to learn what God is teaching me during the trials. Focus on Him, magnify Him and not the problem, we serve a God much bigger than any problems we are faced with. If you need to talk, or prayer, Im here.
_____________________________
Hebrews 12:14 "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord."
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RE: James 1:2 ~ Consider it pure joy..... - 11/24/2008 9:23:17 AM
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sparkleingsnow
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James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. NKJV
While we're to count it as joy, that doesn't mean we feel joyful while we're going through the trial. In fact 1 Peter says:
1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love....
I think that while our soul may rejoice with the help of the Lord, our human side is grieved by the suffering that we seem to go through during trials. It's a lot easier to rejoice afterwards. As stated by others, I think it's something that we all struggle with.
_____________________________
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is
within me, bless his holy name.
Psalm 103:1
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RE: James 1:2 ~ Consider it pure joy..... - 11/24/2008 9:46:54 AM
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sparkleingsnow
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It's our faith that is perfected by trials.
It makes me thing of how some draw closer to God during bad times, while others start to doubt. It's trials of our faith.
_____________________________
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is
within me, bless his holy name.
Psalm 103:1
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RE: James 1:2 ~ Consider it pure joy..... - 11/24/2008 9:57:30 AM
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RJR_fan
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quote:
Joy is a condition of a heart in obedience; one can be miserable(remember Paul/Silas in prison?)and have joy outside the misery.
One of the most life-changing commands I ever received from God was the order to serve Him "with joy." Not an easy thing for a sourpuss who was weaned on a pickle, and long accustomed to looking at the negative side of everything! Yet my life, family, and walk with God have all been transformed over the last few decades by my efforts to obey that command.
(parenthetically, my blog post this morning was on James 1:6.)
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Blogging my way through the Turkish New Testament
Meet my beloved mentor, RJR
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RE: James 1:2 ~ Consider it pure joy..... - 11/24/2008 11:07:38 AM
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Focusing
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Excellent blog post RJR_fan!
_____________________________
Instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend. That would be giving as the angels give.
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