No Pain, No Gain

Body By James:
10 Workouts to Strengthen your Spiritual Core

Weekly Reading: James 1:1-18 NIV

Memory Verse: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2,3 NIV

CIPJ, MB, WYFTOMK, BYKTTTOYFDP. James 1:2,3 NIV

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 

because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4 NIV

i. life is full of circumstances that are beyond our control

TROUBLES: 

TEMPTATIONS: 

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:13-15 NIV

…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

ii. our responses are within our control

The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.” – Charles Swindoll

Choose JOY

Be joyful always. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Rejoice in the Lord always. Philippians 4:4

“we are like jewels, shaped with the hammer and chisel of adversity.” –Rick Warren

Choose Wisdom

If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-8 (SARA: please replace this version with the NIV!)

Blessed are those who persevere under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 NIV

Choose Jesus

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. James 1:1a NIV

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. Romans 3:22 NLT