1 00:00:38,001 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: Hey friends, it's Kelly from Life Audio. We just launched 2 00:00:41,501 --> 00:00:45,181 Speaker 1: something new. It's called The Good Word, our free weekly 3 00:00:45,241 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 1: newsletter built for people who want to go a little 4 00:00:48,161 --> 00:00:54,011 Speaker 1: deeper in their faith. Think devotionals, guided prayers, curated podcast recommendations, 5 00:00:54,191 --> 00:00:57,311 Speaker 1: and a little community all in one place. No ads, 6 00:00:57,651 --> 00:01:00,091 Speaker 1: just good content. This one means a lot to us. 7 00:01:00,491 --> 00:01:03,271 Speaker 1: We built The Good Word based on the audience survey 8 00:01:03,491 --> 00:01:05,671 Speaker 1: so many of you filled out a few months back. 9 00:01:05,991 --> 00:01:08,571 Speaker 1: You told us what you wanted and we listened. So 10 00:01:08,611 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 1: thank you truly for helping us shape this. Head to 11 00:01:11,580 --> 00:01:14,161 Speaker 1: the link in the show notes and join our community today. 12 00:01:14,481 --> 00:01:15,441 Speaker 1: We'd love to have you. 13 00:01:25,950 --> 00:01:30,131 Speaker 2: Thank you for listening to Your Nightly Scripture, a calming 14 00:01:30,191 --> 00:01:34,581 Speaker 2: scripture-centered devotional podcast. designed to help you end each day 15 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:37,261 Speaker 2: with God's word in your mind and on your heart. 16 00:01:40,301 --> 00:01:43,261 Speaker 2: Right after the short word from our sponsors, we will 17 00:01:43,301 --> 00:01:57,671 Speaker 2: reflect on tonight's scripture, James chapter 1. Tonight's reflection is 18 00:01:57,751 --> 00:02:05,321 Speaker 2: written and read by Kyle Norman. James chapter 1. James, 19 00:02:05,431 --> 00:02:09,451 Speaker 2: a servant of God, of the Lord Jesus Christ, to 20 00:02:09,471 --> 00:02:14,811 Speaker 2: the twelve tribes scattered among the nations, greetings. Consider it 21 00:02:14,870 --> 00:02:18,721 Speaker 2: pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials 22 00:02:18,761 --> 00:02:21,941 Speaker 2: of many kinds, because you know that the testing of 23 00:02:21,981 --> 00:02:27,501 Speaker 2: your faith produces perseverance, that perseverance finish its work, so 24 00:02:27,541 --> 00:02:31,071 Speaker 2: that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 25 00:02:32,300 --> 00:02:35,061 Speaker 2: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask a 26 00:02:35,131 --> 00:02:39,791 Speaker 2: God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and 27 00:02:39,831 --> 00:02:42,831 Speaker 2: it will be given to you. But when you ask, 28 00:02:43,671 --> 00:02:46,611 Speaker 2: you must believe and not doubt, because the one who 29 00:02:46,671 --> 00:02:49,770 Speaker 2: doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and 30 00:02:49,811 --> 00:02:54,121 Speaker 2: tossed by the wind. The person should not expect to 31 00:02:54,161 --> 00:02:58,041 Speaker 2: receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded 32 00:02:58,541 --> 00:03:02,770 Speaker 2: and unstable in all that they do. Believers in humble 33 00:03:02,831 --> 00:03:07,441 Speaker 2: circumstances ought to take pride in their high position, but 34 00:03:07,461 --> 00:03:11,361 Speaker 2: the rich should take pride in their humiliation, since they 35 00:03:11,381 --> 00:03:14,921 Speaker 2: will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun 36 00:03:15,001 --> 00:03:19,201 Speaker 2: rises with scorching heat and withers the plant, its blossom 37 00:03:19,300 --> 00:03:23,440 Speaker 2: falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, 38 00:03:24,121 --> 00:03:27,261 Speaker 2: the rich will fade away, even while they go about 39 00:03:27,300 --> 00:03:31,951 Speaker 2: their business. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, 40 00:03:32,770 --> 00:03:36,321 Speaker 2: because having stood the test, that person will receive the 41 00:03:36,351 --> 00:03:39,181 Speaker 2: crown of life that the Lord has promised to those 42 00:03:39,221 --> 00:03:43,881 Speaker 2: who love him. When tempted, no one should say, God 43 00:03:44,001 --> 00:03:47,521 Speaker 2: is tempting me. For God cannot be tempted by evil, 44 00:03:48,061 --> 00:03:52,181 Speaker 2: nor does God tempt anyone. But each person is tempted 45 00:03:52,241 --> 00:03:54,911 Speaker 2: when they are dragged away by their own evil desires 46 00:03:55,161 --> 00:04:00,211 Speaker 2: and enticed. Then, After desire has conceived, it gives birth 47 00:04:00,231 --> 00:04:03,941 Speaker 2: to sin, and sin, when it is full grown, gives 48 00:04:03,971 --> 00:04:08,741 Speaker 2: birth to death. Do not be deceived, my dear brothers 49 00:04:08,801 --> 00:04:12,441 Speaker 2: and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, 50 00:04:13,241 --> 00:04:16,260 Speaker 2: coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who 51 00:04:16,301 --> 00:04:20,291 Speaker 2: does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give 52 00:04:20,331 --> 00:04:23,011 Speaker 2: us birth through the word of truth, that we might 53 00:04:23,031 --> 00:04:27,431 Speaker 2: be kind of firstfruits of all he created, My dear 54 00:04:27,471 --> 00:04:31,961 Speaker 2: brothers and sisters, take note of this. Everyone should be 55 00:04:32,001 --> 00:04:35,681 Speaker 2: quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, 56 00:04:36,961 --> 00:04:42,980 Speaker 2: because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, 57 00:04:43,781 --> 00:04:46,501 Speaker 2: get rid of all moral filth and the evil that 58 00:04:46,561 --> 00:04:50,491 Speaker 2: is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, 59 00:04:51,130 --> 00:04:55,031 Speaker 2: which can save you. Do not merely listen to the 60 00:04:55,051 --> 00:05:00,410 Speaker 2: word and so deceive yourselves, do what it says. Anyone 61 00:05:00,431 --> 00:05:02,531 Speaker 2: who listens to the word but does not do what 62 00:05:02,571 --> 00:05:05,171 Speaker 2: it says is like someone who looks at his face 63 00:05:05,211 --> 00:05:08,590 Speaker 2: in the mirror and after looking at himself goes away 64 00:05:09,251 --> 00:05:13,710 Speaker 2: and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks 65 00:05:13,871 --> 00:05:18,581 Speaker 2: intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues 66 00:05:18,721 --> 00:05:21,661 Speaker 2: in it not forgetting what they have heard but doing it, 67 00:05:22,641 --> 00:05:26,531 Speaker 2: they will be blessed in all that they do. Those 68 00:05:26,551 --> 00:05:29,891 Speaker 2: who consider themselves religious, and yet do not keep a 69 00:05:29,931 --> 00:05:34,011 Speaker 2: tight rein on their tongue, deceive themselves, and their religion 70 00:05:34,091 --> 00:05:39,141 Speaker 2: is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure 71 00:05:39,221 --> 00:05:43,260 Speaker 2: and faultless is this, to look after orphans and widows 72 00:05:43,321 --> 00:05:47,301 Speaker 2: in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted 73 00:05:47,361 --> 00:05:54,491 Speaker 2: by the world. We often think of tests and trials 74 00:05:54,671 --> 00:05:58,671 Speaker 2: like those undertaken in a school or maybe the DMV. 75 00:06:00,011 --> 00:06:04,291 Speaker 2: A test rates our ability, knowledge, or skill. Tests are 76 00:06:04,341 --> 00:06:08,221 Speaker 2: designed for us to prove ourselves. Based on our performance, 77 00:06:08,361 --> 00:06:13,501 Speaker 2: we earn the grade or the license that we desire. Importantly, 78 00:06:14,321 --> 00:06:19,301 Speaker 2: tests are essentially binary. Regardless of a range of letter 79 00:06:19,341 --> 00:06:23,520 Speaker 2: grades or the number of demerit points, Tests boil down 80 00:06:23,601 --> 00:06:30,201 Speaker 2: to two options. We either pass or we fail. Does 81 00:06:30,221 --> 00:06:33,661 Speaker 2: God test us in the same way? Does God give 82 00:06:33,761 --> 00:06:39,521 Speaker 2: us heavenly exams to prove our worth? Is God stretching 83 00:06:39,621 --> 00:06:42,001 Speaker 2: us just to see what kind of stuff we are 84 00:06:42,031 --> 00:06:46,771 Speaker 2: made of? If we think this, then we can so 85 00:06:46,951 --> 00:06:51,551 Speaker 2: easily condemn ourselves. We think that if we fail a test... 86 00:06:51,741 --> 00:06:55,161 Speaker 2: we disappoint God and prove that we are not worth 87 00:06:55,241 --> 00:07:00,401 Speaker 2: God's time. Now, it's true that Scripture talks a lot 88 00:07:00,521 --> 00:07:04,820 Speaker 2: about God testing us, but God's tests are not meant 89 00:07:05,001 --> 00:07:09,971 Speaker 2: to judge whether we will pass or fail. God tests 90 00:07:10,091 --> 00:07:15,471 Speaker 2: us to give the opportunity to experience God's presence and power. 91 00:07:16,391 --> 00:07:20,391 Speaker 2: A test is an invitation to rely on God's strength, 92 00:07:21,171 --> 00:07:25,251 Speaker 2: not to prove our own. This is why we consider 93 00:07:25,291 --> 00:07:28,871 Speaker 2: it joy, because as hard as the time might be, 94 00:07:29,631 --> 00:07:33,461 Speaker 2: the difficult situations that we face become places where we 95 00:07:33,521 --> 00:07:36,541 Speaker 2: come to know the love of Jesus and the power 96 00:07:36,601 --> 00:07:42,081 Speaker 2: of the Spirit that upholds us. Tests and trials become 97 00:07:42,101 --> 00:07:48,751 Speaker 2: the fodder for deeper faith and lasting perseverance. Are you 98 00:07:48,791 --> 00:07:52,521 Speaker 2: going through a time of testing? Are you facing a 99 00:07:52,561 --> 00:07:55,961 Speaker 2: situation where you don't know what to do or where 100 00:07:56,001 --> 00:08:01,501 Speaker 2: to go or what decision to make? What if worrying 101 00:08:01,661 --> 00:08:06,441 Speaker 2: about your lack of stillness or strength, you turned your 102 00:08:06,461 --> 00:08:11,021 Speaker 2: attention to the Lord? What if you aren't being asked 103 00:08:11,061 --> 00:08:14,221 Speaker 2: to do it all? What if you are being asked 104 00:08:14,261 --> 00:08:22,761 Speaker 2: to let God work through you? Gracious God, If you 105 00:08:22,821 --> 00:08:25,651 Speaker 2: are Lord of heaven and earth, then why do I 106 00:08:25,731 --> 00:08:27,751 Speaker 2: often feel that the weight of the world is on 107 00:08:27,811 --> 00:08:32,251 Speaker 2: my shoulders? As I rest this night, I give to 108 00:08:32,310 --> 00:08:35,711 Speaker 2: you my day with all my decisions and tasks, my 109 00:08:35,771 --> 00:08:38,811 Speaker 2: hopes and my worries. I give you the work that 110 00:08:38,831 --> 00:08:42,231 Speaker 2: I have accomplished, but also the work that stretches me 111 00:08:42,290 --> 00:08:45,781 Speaker 2: past my own ability. I give you my questions and 112 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:50,600 Speaker 2: my doubts. Lord, I thank you for your guidance. I 113 00:08:50,641 --> 00:08:53,300 Speaker 2: thank you for the places where I am empowered to work, 114 00:08:54,101 --> 00:08:56,261 Speaker 2: where the talents that you have given me can shine. 115 00:08:57,681 --> 00:08:59,600 Speaker 2: But I also thank you for those places where I 116 00:08:59,641 --> 00:09:03,601 Speaker 2: feel tested and tried. For in those places I turn 117 00:09:03,651 --> 00:09:06,711 Speaker 2: to you. Help me to look to you in all 118 00:09:06,771 --> 00:09:11,391 Speaker 2: things and in every work, every task, every event. Help 119 00:09:11,410 --> 00:09:14,851 Speaker 2: me give you glory. This I pray in Jesus' name. 120 00:09:16,171 --> 00:09:16,291 Speaker 1: Amen. 121 00:09:24,861 --> 00:09:30,341 Speaker 3: Thank you for listening to Your Nightly Scripture. Tonight's scripture 122 00:09:30,761 --> 00:09:35,060 Speaker 3: was read from the New International Version by Biblica, all 123 00:09:35,141 --> 00:09:41,811 Speaker 3: rights reserved. If tonight's episode blessed you, be sure to 124 00:09:41,891 --> 00:09:46,731 Speaker 3: follow the show on Apple Podcasts so your next nightly 125 00:09:46,791 --> 00:09:52,551 Speaker 3: scripture is ready when you are. Your Nightly Scripture is 126 00:09:52,601 --> 00:09:57,691 Speaker 3: a production of Thank you, and we'll see you tomorrow night.