I forgot to remind you to look at the assignment in Ponder and Pray yesterday. Hopefully you are already developing that habit without my reminder! Today's assignment is to answer questions 2 and 3. I'd be interested in hearing how you might apply the answer you give to question 3 to your life - specifically.
My brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
3 comments:
Done for today.
For #3, I looked at v10-13, and found that to help believers, they were examples of how to behave, to exhort and comfort, and charge. This helped the believers walk worthy. So to answer Debbie's request, I need to be aware of my example - my worthy walk. And to encourage others' walks.
2. First of all, we enjoy peace (for the Christians at the time, it was temporary and volatile, while we have never had serious religious persecution in my lifetime -- that by itself is something I should appreciate more -- it should be a great encouragement!)
We are also encouraged through our fear of God (which I also like to think of as a deep sense of reverence); and also from the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, knowing He is here to intercede for us.
3. Paul, Silvanus and Timothy conducted themselves in a way that was blameless; they were devout and upright in all they did. From that position (of integrity) they were able to exhort, encourage and implore the Faithful to walk in a manner worthy of God.
This reminds me that I need to watch out for hypocrisy in my life; to examine my own behaviors before I attempt to exhort or correct anyone else.
Just as a note: I read all of chapter 2 to come up with my answers. Sometimes I think we see Paul as arrogant when he points out his good qualities. But then, sometimes I think we're more humanly comforted by others mistakes instead of their strengths (like Peter!). We think "it's okay that I'm not perfect, s/he's not either." This verse and those we studied yesterday remind me that perfection is still something to strive for and admire (not resent), even while learning to deal with our own weaknesses (and Paul had his too, of course, as discussed in Rom. 7).
Okay, I'm done. Sorry I'm so long winded!
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance." James 1:2-3
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