James; Mercy Triumphs

My normal routine for Bible study these past few months has been to work my way through a few different studies and rotating between things like She Reads Truth, the minor prophets, the book of John and Beth Moore's study- James; Mercy Triumphs. At absolute snail speed I have been going back and forth with James. There may be a part of me that wanted to drag it out because it really is that good, but it's no secret that the book of James doesn't mess around. He gets real, real quick and doesn't let you off the hook in the best kind of way. 

So with this study coming to a close for me, I thought I would share a few of my favorite takeaways/quotes. There are several, and I simply have to share them! 

Enjoy! 

First takeaway is "If we are living in bondage, we have unbelief"

A few years ago, the Lord really challenged me with one simple question. I was preparing for some changes that were taking place in my life and in the midst of those changes, the same things that had haunted me years before were still there...still broken...and still hurting. At one point in the brokenness, I went for a drive to kind of shake off the emotion and hopefully rid myself of the frustration that had built up only to be faced with the Lord asking me "are you trusting me?" The answer was no and it wasn't until then that I could really see that. He showed me that I had unbelief and that moment was just the start of unpacking that unbelief in order to trade it for freedom. 

Years later, I still struggle with bondage and fighting, daily, for my freedom but I'm that much closer to freedom because of that night where God pointed to my doubt and faithfully brought me to the truth. 

Though James 1:6-8 cuts like a knife, it's truth is one that is forever seared on my heart. 

"Faith receives more than it asks. Doubt loses more than it disbelieved."

What grace. What love. God's abundant provision in our everyday. In the "yes" and in the "no". He is forever faithful. 

"God's gifts are given with goals. They're perfect because they are perfecting. They don't just give today. They give toward every tomorrow."

Isn't it just like Jesus to not only give perfect gifts but to do so with eternity in mind?

"Nothing is more contrary to our new natures in Christ than to birth death through our deformed desires. A word of deception hides behind every temptation and the word of truth behind every timely gift. Temptation attempts to tear open the package before its due date and, in so doing, disfigures what's inside. Wait on the Lord! So many presents are wrapped under your tree that it will take a lifetime to open them. That's God's way. He keeps telling us that there's something He's not telling us, like exactly how this whole thing is going to work out. This we can know: it's going to be perfect."

The Lord is so intentional. He is so ready to give and give and give if only we submit to His way. It's pretty easy to see how the enemy tricks us into his lies, but when Jesus is in it, there is sustaining truth that once again perfects us and blesses us. Not only that, but we're left with part of the story unknown for a reason, because He just loves to surprise us. He really is that good. 

"God will never call you to sacrifice your intimacy with Him on the altar of ministry"

So much truth in such a simple statement. 

"From a throne's-eye view, the point is not just getting us into our proverbial lands of promise where we bear much fruit. The point is developing the spiritual muscle on our way so once we receive it, we are strong enough to keep it. The hardest part of possessing the land is defending it. A person has hardly begun to have a real fight on her hands until she starts serving in her full-throttle giftedness and effectiveness. She who proves a threat earns an enemy you can bet will do everything he can to make her sorry. Nothing in the visible realm is a greater reality than the unseen battle raging over our heads."

Lord prepare me for the promise! Let me prove worthy of being a threat to the enemy and allow me to submit to the development of the spiritual muscle that you desire for me to have.

"He doesn't just redeem. He redeems loudly, boastingly, and with a great vengeance."

"If we're willing, God is our song when we are happy, our escape when we are tempted, our hope when we're despairing, our joy in tribulation, our strength in weakness, and our immortality in dying. Ultimately, He himself is our health."

You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. The whole building, being put together by Him, grows into a holy sanctuary in the Lord. You also are being built together for God's dwelling in the Spirit. 

Ephesians 2:19-22

I just love how Beth Moore ties so many truths together. Jesus truly is for us and He, Himself is personally bringing us near and building us up into His presence. Thank God for it.