I hope all of you have stayed safe and warm. I also hope that yesterday felt odd not being able to gather in person. It's a good thing to crave fellowship with the saints of God!

In our family church time last night, we were in James.

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have herperfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. James 1:2–6.

The questions I got from my 5 and 3 year olds were as follows: What does endurance mean? How can we have joy in bad times? That is faith? What is a trial?

These are great questions. I want to focus on endurance. That word "patience" in verse 3 means "endurance, perseverance." This is a common theme in scripture. God has called us to endure suffering. Persevere through the trial. Be patient even in the hard times. In order to get us to this point in our walk, He must test our faith. So, as any good teacher does, God will send things our way that makes us rely on Him and His Word. Many teachers give what is called a "multiple choice" test. That is where there is often four options given as an answer to a question, yet only one is right. If you have ever taken a multiple choice test, you know that you can basically knock two options out right away. Why? Because they are obviously incorrect.

What does this have to do with James? Well, when we go through trials we have multiple options regarding our response. Many of those responses are obviously worldly and must be avoided. Others, however, are not as immediately clear. So how do we handle these various trials in life? You know what's better than a multiple choice test? An open book test. God has given us all the truth we need, all the right answers, all the warnings of the wrong answers for us to successfully and victoriously gain strength from the test. Praise the Lord!

Now, you know what's better than an open book test? An open access test. This is not something we find in school, but it is something we find in God. Look again at verse 5: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Sometimes, having multiple options can be confusing. So, go to His Word. And when you still do not understand what do to... go to Him. By the way He is the Word! Go look at John 1. God desires to answer our questions and give us wisdom, generously. Trust Him! The only way to truly persevere in this life is to walk in His wisdom and His Word. We cannot endure without wisdom.

Where do you lack wisdom? Where do you lack faith? Where are you doubting? Ask Him. Trust Him. Believe Him.

I love you Cedar Grove. I feel as though each week I get the privilege to pastor you I understand more how good God really is. Don't give up. Allow Him to strengthen your faith. I look forward to meeting soon! Happy in the Lord, amen. Buh-bye.

Pastor Jacob