Daily Bible Reading and Prayer 2, ESV, Hebrews 7-, Psalm 62-, Nov 10, 2018-

Nov 26, James 1

You may have noticed I didn't post a chapter yesterday. I have a few excuses as to why I didn't, and to be honest, they aren't really good. The main reason I didn't is because my internet connection was acting up and Wattpad wouldn't load. I could have just written in my my notes and copy and pasted later. I think the real reason I didn't was because I was was feeling rather depressed. I put on a fake smile so often, and some days I just get overwhelmed. I've been pushing myself to much lately, and on top of that the weather is a bit weird, and the cherry on top is that on Saturday my two older brothers are going to visit. I can't remember what I have all told you about them, but I don't want to talk about them right now. Last Christmas when they were both here, I nearly fainted because I got so anxious and stressed. I couldn't breathe and I had difficulty seeing and moving any muscles, I had to lie on the flor till I could see again. I'll be honest with you, I don't want to see my brothers. If I had the option of just crawling in a hole and hiding till they left, I would do that without a second thought. I'm trying not to stress, but it's really difficult. And when I am under a lot of stress, my immune system weakens and I very often get sick. I stayed home from church yesterday because the stress had made me physically ill.

It was good that I stayed home though, cause I was able to unwind and unstress a little. And later I did read the Psalm I was on, Ps 68, and I  prayed. I can't remember what I even prayed, but I prayed for a while and suddenly a wave a peace went over me. It was like nothing that's happened before, I know for a fact that it was the Holy Spirit comforting me. I'm still stressing a little and am definitely still anxious, but I am considerably better than yesterday. God is so good!!! He loves us so much! I am so glad that everything is completely under His control!!!!❤️❤️❤️💕💕💕💕💕💕🤗

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
This is exactly the passage I need right now, these are some of my favourite verses! I have often asked God why He had to give me such a difficult childhood, and I am convinced that it is to make me stronger in my faith and because He is using and going to use me for things that He could not have if I had a easy childhood.

4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,

10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.

11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
God lets us go through trials because He knows that He will give us greater rewards as a result. He does everything for our good.

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Some good to note. Every good and perfect gift is from God, and He cannot lead anyone into temptation. Only Satan and his devils can hurt people. However, God uses the trials that Satan puts us through for our good! What Satan means for evil, God turns to good! There are so many examples of this, I think of Job as one, and there are countless more. Satan can try to harm you, but God will always turn that harm into good! It might not be how you think is best, but He knows best!

18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
That is very good advice. I admit, I can get angry easily.

20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.

24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. - James 1

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for everything You have done for us, thank you especially for sending trails. We often don't understand in the moment why You send these trials, and at times we get mad at You. But You do everything for our good, and if we just trust in You, we would have so much more peace. Father, please help us to put our trust in You, and keep it there. Father please be with everyone in my prayer journal, please teach them that You know best, in Jesus's name, Amen