Don't let yourself be thrown around.

Christine DiGiacomo
32 minutes ago
4 min read

podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/3818a44f/dont-let-yourself-be-thrown-around-james-no3

The year was 2008 . . . the month, June. I had just resigned my position at a Southern California church when I got a phone call from an acquaintance whose company did work on an international scale. 'Hey, we would like for our company to count for more than just the bottom line; we want to be a Christian witness. Can you help us see what that would look like?'

This led a to a couple face-to-face meetings: two Christian men,

wanting to honor God with their company and in their personal lives.

Wanting to impact their wider marketplace for God as well.

Was such a thing possible?

I did not beat around the bush - 'Based on that, I have to ask some straight-up questions. 'Do you make time to study God's Word? As Christian men, how's your prayer time? Oh, and do you regularly worship God with your family in church on Sundays?' [You see, these are the foundations for living an effective life for God] Their answers were admittedly marginal, the guys said they would like to do all three, but were always on airplanes. and besides they weren't even sure where to start with Bible reading... and church? Well yeah, sometimes.

And so, "Morning Briefings" were born. [meant for morning times with God, briefer than a full Bible study, more than a devotional] Based on the very practical nature of the small New Testament book of James, that was the place we started--right where we find ourselves now. I took a few verses, set the context, and then drew out any application to life, and e-mailed it to the pair very early each morning. They could access it wherever they were in the world. [And I became their corporate pastor for 17 years]

We have just considered that difficulties/trials are part of life, but the bigger question is:

How do we live as Christians, not in name only --

but as believers in a real relationship with Jesus Christ,

growing in the knowledge of the Bible

with roots going down deep in a solid faith

so that when trials come, we do not act the fool

or lose our minds in worry or fear?

First, why trials? They grow and mature us.

When in a trial, what ought we do?

Again, James:

Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways.1

Trials? Why, yes. In context of first century believers near James in Jerusalem, Stephen had been stoned to death before their very eyes. The heat had been turned up wherever the Jewish believers found themselves; and under Nero's rule, literally, the heat was turned up as he used Christians as human candles in his gardens. Yikes.

In our lives, in times of trials, times of stress, the Christ follower knows where to turn; and in our turning to God, we trust him because he is able to meet us in our situation; his heart is good and his intentions toward us are always good. But as for surviving- nay, thriving - during life's trials? How do we do that, truly trusting him? We pray. WE ASK GOD FOR WISDOM.

Wisdom was valued by the Jewish people - think of the book of Proverbs in which Solomon writes: "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity..."2 Dang, take five minutes and read Proverbs 2 and 33 because wow, then we have an understanding about the place of wisdom in the ancient Jewish mind, so that when James told them to ask God for wisdom, particularly when facing trials (as that is the context here), it made sense to them because they knew that God was the source of all wisdom. Read that again.

Know God is at work to grow and mature you for the long game. Remember that God sees time in all one piece--he sees the future you haven't yet lived, and is 'for' you. Seek his wisdom as you navigate life; and when you ask, have faith that, because he is a good Father, he will give you the guidance you seek.

That means, PRAY, FRIENDS! And then, have faith that God has heard and will answer by leading and guiding you. As for wisdom, a bit later in the letter, James gives us a little more description, "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy."4

As for the word picture James paints about the person who is like a surging sea driven and tossed by the wind . . . it speaks to me of a cork on a wave, being tossed and thrown around, with the up and down and sideways twist of every wave, with little to no ability to steady or right itself . . . when you let your circumstances overcome you, you are that cork.

We have a God who invites us to come in faith and pray to him, knowing whatever has come our way he has permitted to strengthen us. We then have a choice to answer with entrusting ourselves fully to him rather than being thrown around like a cork.

And before you listen to this inspiring song, perhaps you would like your business to 'count for the kingdom' - grow deeper in your faith in Jesus Christ, invite God's wisdom for your business choices, decisions and relationships... why we had a 30-minute weekly conference call prayer time to do just that! If so, let's talk!

Now, will you listen and be encouraged?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op9aUzT2O-E&list=RDOp9aUzT2O-E&start_radio=1

No Corks Allowed.

Christine

James, no. 3