Kristi Burchfiel

Anger. We can get so angry sometimes. Circumstances and situations that happen can result in our responding in anger and frustration. But what does the Bible say about that? Read James 1:19-20. for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. James 1:20 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.20.NASB The Bible reminds us that we must be quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to become angry, but then it goes on the explain more about anger. Man’s anger doesn’t lead to God’s righteousness. If we are just upset and angry on our own, then we are not going to be act in a way that is pleasing to…

God is good and gives good things. Just yesterday we saw that we are not to be deceived. Well sometimes the way we can be deceived has to do with assuming that God is causing horrible things to happen to us. That is not who God is. Read James 1:17-18. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.17.NASB Everything good and perfect comes from God. He does not give bad gifts. He is not out to try to hurt us. What we must understand, is that sometimes…

Don’t be deceived. This tiny little command, sandwiched between two other topics, stands out. Read James 1:16. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. James 1:16 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.16.NASB Now when you look before this verse, you see the discussion about lust and temptation. When you look after it, you read about God being The Giver of all Things Good. And here, it commands us not to be deceived. It’s important to understand that we can be deceived. We’re not automatic lie detectors. We can be taken and we can believe a lie, if we will let ourselves. Our personal lusts and desires can lead us to deceive ourselves as to…

Temptation. It’s actually a very personal thing. While there are certainly things that tempt all if us, the degree that we feel the pull to stop following God depends on us. Read James 1:13-15. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. James 1:14 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.14.NASB Let’s be very clear about temptation. God does not tempt us; the Bible makes that very clear. We are tempted by our own lusts and personal desires. This is why temptation is so personal. It is a direct attack on the weaknesses that we have. Satan knows the doubts and the inconsistencies and the internal struggles…

Perseverance through trials. It’s certainly not the favorite topic of many people, but it one that James focuses on. Read James 1:12. Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.12.NASB God knows that we are going to go through trials and difficulties. We are going to experience situations that are difficult and that will test us. There are rewards for being faithful. James here indicates a Crown of life that God promises as a reward for those people who love him. Love is…

What do you Glory in? We all find something that we are excited about and that we feel is important to us. In James, he talks about money this way. Read what he says in James 1:9-11. But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; James 1:9 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.9.NASB It sort of seems backwards that the person who has nothing should consider themselves higher than the person who has lots of riches. However, that’s exactly what James says. The rich person must understand that everything he has will fall way. Nothing will remain eternally except he himself. What are we gaining and how do we…

That man. Yesterday, we saw that if anyone lacks wisdom, they should just ask God and He will give it. Yet here, it says that “that man” won’t receive anything. Read James 1:5-8. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, James 1:6‭-‬7 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.6-7.NASB Ask in faith. Believe that God is going to do what He says He is going to do. It seens odd. Why would we ask God for something if we didn’t…

Do we ask for help with things? Some of us try to go it on our own and keep the fact of our need hidden. We think it makes us look weak to ask for help. James disagrees. Read James 1:5-8. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.5.NASB God has all wisdom. Most of us will agree that He knows more than we do. Yet, how often do we come to Him with our day to day issues? Sure, we ask for help on the “big”…

Consider it joy. So many people want and seek after joy in their lives. They want to “feel” it and yet often they struggle to define exactly what is meant by it. James doesn’t. He knows exactly how to get joy. Read James 1:2-4. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2‭-‬4 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.2-4.NASB So, joy is a choice. We can choose to have and experience joy. What does joy look like? Well, James gives a formula. Joy…