Grilled Cheese and Ketchup

Scripture: James 1

"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."

...

"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."


OAP: Our connection group is working through James over the next few months, and within the first chapter alone we found some interesting stuff. James challenges the reader with such huge ideas yet he puts them all so simply. Such as thanking God when he gives us hardships, even viewing them as "pure joy." Wait, what? Thanking him? Pure joy? When God puts me in crappy situations this is definitely not how I respond. Often I pray for internal growth and wisdom and all that good stuff, and then complain to God when my situations get worse. But now it makes sense that God would put us through these kind of sucky experiences to grow our souls and our faith. It dawned on me praying for growth and maturity and discernment means we are actually asking for these sorts of hardships. And we know that if we walk through them with the holy spirit, we will come out of each trial with knowledge, wisdom, maturity. This excites me so much, now I want to look at the hardships I have set before me, and even the ones I am in currently, and thank God for the opportunities given to grow my faith. Obviously, sucky situations will still suck and be hard as ever, but this passage just gives me optimism about it.


God, thank you for giving me FML moments, and showing me the possibilities in them.

Chase God, Embrace Wisdom.

Scripture: Proverbs 3

"17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
those who lay hold of her will be blessed."


OAP: Solomon is speaking of wisdom found through pursuing an understanding of God. With everything going on, car issues, college apps, scholarship apps, senior projects, regular schoolwork, football, church stuff, friends, I'm feeling overwhelmed. Why has God fallen to the back of my mind, why have prayer and scripture reading fallen to the bottom of my to-do list, why has my life lately been hectic, tiring, tough? I'm drained.

I haven't been putting you first lately, Lord. I desire the pleasant, peaceful, life-giving, blessing filled life that Solomon says is found in the wisdom of you, found by living in your presence.

I come broken, cracked. Restore me. Fill me again with streams of living water. I love you.

You, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

Scripture: Jeremiah 12-14, Philemon

"6 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." - Philemon 1:6


OAP: It's interesting how enthusiastic Paul is about his brother's love for Christ and how happy he is to hear of their successes. It reminds me of how we used to do those Moments of Grace things at day7. I miss those. Encouraging others is so important in a church community and something that helps build faith and fellowship. I want to help bring back that sort of encouragement to church and rejoice with other people when we see God working. I also like how Paul mentions himself multiple times as a "prisoner of Christ," and being "in chains for the gospel." That's so cool. Those phrases are so powerful to me, to be a slave to Jesus. Unable to escape, working only for him, living in his house day and night. Wow. aoisdfojasdoijf.

Prayer: God, chain me to your will.