Cling on & Bring it On! | Jason Ricafranca | James 1:16-21
“Don’t deny in the darkness what God has revealed in the light.”
These were the wise words my professor once shared to me in a moment where I was going through a really difficult time. Trials have a way of challenging what we know to be true, don't they? When circumstances change, we can easily begin to question the goodness of God, look elsewhere for answers, or even loosen our grip and lose sight of what He has promised.
James reminds us that while our circumstances may change for the better or worse... there is something that you and I can hold on to... the character of God does not change. His love for us does not waver with each passing day. God's promise of giving wisdom generously to all (as James 1:5 says) remains just as steadfast.
This Sunday, as we continue through James 1:16–21, we'll look at how God is the giver of every good and perfect gift, and He has given us His word to anchor us when life feels uncertain. We’ll consider what it looks like to persevere by holding fast to the goodness of God and learning to “receive with meekness the implanted word”—allowing what God has spoken to shape how we live when trials come. Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday!
- Pastor Jason
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James 1:16-21
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. 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.
Hearing and Doing the Word
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 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.