2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
9The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
I have mentioned before that our Growth/Bible study group (Connect Agents' of Change or C.A.C.) is going through a series study on the Letter of James. I lead the group in studying verses 2-4 last September 5, 2009 and verses 13-18 last October 17... And I have been telling them that I am experiencing trials and temptations myself (well, lahat naman tayo diba?) and I am having a tough time. Sobrang first hand application sa mga lesson namin ang pinagdadaanan ko. But He remains faithful, nakikita ko ang work Nya and He really is up to something... that I know for sure.
In the mean time, please include me in your prayers... Thanks and God bless!
(PS... I will share some personal notes on our series study some other time. Very interesting ang Bible study namin ever! Feel free to join us every Saturday 6pm at GCF Ortigas.)
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