Three Essential Questions
After watching the message take some time reflect on the following three questions.
- What did you hear? What point in this message was most impactful for you?
- What do you think? How did this message challenge, change, or affirm your thinking?
- What will you do? How will you put into practice what you've learned today?
"You must be patient. Keep your hopes high, for the day of the Lord's coming is near." James 5:8
"Do not give up hope!" James 5:8 (NCV, GW, ICB)
HOW FAITH IN GOD AND FAITH IN HIS WORD KEEPS US HOPEFUL IN DIFFICULT TIMES
WE HAVE HOPE...
1. BECAUSE WE KNOW THE DIFFICULTIES WON'T LAST
"Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God." James 5:10 (MES)
"We fix our attention, not on the things that are seen, but on things that are unseen, because what can be seen is temporary and will last only for a short time, but what cannot be seen will last forever." 2 Corinthians 4:18 (TEV)
2. BECAUSE WE KNOW GOD WILL USE IT FOR OUR GOOD
"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (NIV)
"My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything!" James 1:2-4 (NCV & NLT)
3. BECAUSE WE KNOW GETTING IRRITATED DOESN'T HELP
"Always be slow to become angry because human anger will never achieve God's righteous purpose." James 1:19-20
"Don't complain or grumble against each other, or you will be judged by God who is standing right at the door!" James 5:9
4. BECAUSE WE KNOW TRUSTING GOD PLEASES HIM
"Abraham believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous. And so Abraham was called God's friend." James 2:23 (TEV)
ACTION PLAN:In your quiet time, consider what it means to be God's friend and compare your earthly friendships with your friendship with God. Ask God to soften your heart towards him, to increase your intimacy with him and to see him as your best friend. Ask him to give you the desire to spend more time with him.
5. BECAUSE WE KNOW JESUS IS COMING BACK SOMEDAY!
"I am going away to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may be where I am!"John 14:2-3
"Be patient. Stay steady and strong because the Lord could arrive at any time."James 5:8 (MES)
6. BECAUSE WE KNOW THIS IS NOT THE END OF THE STORY
"What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You've heard of Job's staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That's because God cares, cares right down to the last detail." James 5:11 (MES)
ACTION PLAN: When God blessed Job in the latter part of his life, he blessed him more than he had been blessed during the first part of his life. Job's "new normal" was unlike what he previously experienced. As God wants you to put your hope in him and trust him with all the details of your life, pray about your fears and the uncertainty this pandemic has brought. Ask him to take your fears and replace them with the hope that he is not finished with your story, and that he cares about every detail of your life.
7. BECAUSE WE KNOW WE WILL BE REWARDED ONE DAY!
"Happy are those who remain faithful under trials, because when they succeed in passing such a test, they will receive as their reward the life which God has promised to those who love him!" James 1:12 (TEV)
"What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later!"
Romans 8:18 (NLT)
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