1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:12,440 Speaker 1: Life Audio. Howdy and good morning, friends and faithful listeners. 2 00:00:12,560 --> 00:00:14,280 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for being here on the Bible 3 00:00:14,280 --> 00:00:17,239 Speaker 1: Explain podcast on this lovely morning, and Hi, my name 4 00:00:17,320 --> 00:00:19,840 Speaker 1: is Jen I am the host of the Bible Explained. 5 00:00:20,440 --> 00:00:22,119 Speaker 1: Now today we are in a brand new book of 6 00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:24,960 Speaker 1: the Bible. This is the Book of James. It's one 7 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:29,120 Speaker 1: of the few books similar to the Proverbs. It's almost 8 00:00:29,120 --> 00:00:31,840 Speaker 1: like you could take each verse and like you know, 9 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:34,159 Speaker 1: put it on your mirror and recite it and just 10 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:36,800 Speaker 1: gain a bunch of knowledge from that particular verse. And 11 00:00:36,840 --> 00:00:38,919 Speaker 1: each verse is kind of like that. So that's a 12 00:00:38,960 --> 00:00:41,200 Speaker 1: neat thing about the Book of James. And it's also 13 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:44,440 Speaker 1: a book written by the brother of Jesus. James had 14 00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:47,599 Speaker 1: the same mother as Jesus. Now he obviously didn't have 15 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:50,839 Speaker 1: the same father as Jesus, because you know, God the 16 00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:54,160 Speaker 1: father was Jesus's father, but still James was the half 17 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 1: brother of Jesus, which is super neat. So we will 18 00:00:57,320 --> 00:01:00,280 Speaker 1: get into the Book of James right after I jump 19 00:01:00,320 --> 00:01:02,720 Speaker 1: to a sponsored ad for all of you guys, so 20 00:01:02,760 --> 00:01:04,760 Speaker 1: take a listen to this as you are grabbing your 21 00:01:04,760 --> 00:01:07,000 Speaker 1: delicious hot beverage to share with me. And also the 22 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:11,319 Speaker 1: Bible out of the version that you prefer. Alrighty, thank 23 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:13,760 Speaker 1: you so much for listening to that sponsored ad. Let's 24 00:01:13,760 --> 00:01:17,640 Speaker 1: go ahead and read James one one through twelve. And 25 00:01:17,720 --> 00:01:19,520 Speaker 1: I'm going to read this as I usually do, from 26 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:23,000 Speaker 1: the World English Bible or the Web version, which is 27 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:25,440 Speaker 1: a great public domain version of Scripture that I like 28 00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:28,040 Speaker 1: to use because I won't get in trouble for using it. 29 00:01:29,280 --> 00:01:31,360 Speaker 1: So yeah, I like the Web version. But of course, 30 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:33,479 Speaker 1: you guys feel free to read out of the version 31 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:35,640 Speaker 1: that you prefer this morning, and I'd love to hear 32 00:01:35,640 --> 00:01:38,399 Speaker 1: what those versions are, So contact me and tell me 33 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:42,080 Speaker 1: all about yourself. You can find my contact information listed 34 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:44,080 Speaker 1: in the description of this episode, and just tell me 35 00:01:44,520 --> 00:01:47,120 Speaker 1: who you are, where you come from, what the weather's 36 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:49,360 Speaker 1: like where you live, whether or not you like coffee 37 00:01:49,440 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 1: or tea, and also what your favorite version of Scripture is. 38 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:53,800 Speaker 1: I do read all of my emails, and I'd love 39 00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:57,240 Speaker 1: to hear from each of you, faithful listeners. Let's go 40 00:01:57,240 --> 00:02:00,400 Speaker 1: ahead and dive into James one one through twelve this morning. 41 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:02,800 Speaker 1: As you sip on your coffee or tea, let's give 42 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:07,720 Speaker 1: reverence to God's word together. James a servant of God 43 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:10,440 Speaker 1: and of the Lord Jesus Christ. To the twelve tribes 44 00:02:10,480 --> 00:02:14,360 Speaker 1: which are in the dispersion, Greetings, count it all. Joy, 45 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:18,120 Speaker 1: my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that 46 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:22,320 Speaker 1: the testing of your faith produces endurance, let endurance have 47 00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:25,440 Speaker 1: its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, 48 00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 1: lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, 49 00:02:29,040 --> 00:02:31,880 Speaker 1: let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally 50 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:34,680 Speaker 1: and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 51 00:02:35,080 --> 00:02:37,960 Speaker 1: But let him ask in faith without any doubting. For 52 00:02:38,040 --> 00:02:40,119 Speaker 1: he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, 53 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:44,240 Speaker 1: driven by the wind and tossed. For that man shouldn't 54 00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:46,880 Speaker 1: think that he will receive anything from the Lord. He 55 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:50,240 Speaker 1: is a double minded man, unstable in all his ways. 56 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:54,800 Speaker 1: Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position, 57 00:02:55,320 --> 00:02:58,280 Speaker 1: and the rich in that he is made humble, because 58 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:00,840 Speaker 1: like the flower in the grass, he will pass away. 59 00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:04,360 Speaker 1: For the sun arises with the scorching wind and withers 60 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:07,160 Speaker 1: the grass, and the flower in it falls, and the 61 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:10,679 Speaker 1: beauty of its appearance perishes. So the rich man will 62 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:14,200 Speaker 1: also fade away in his pursuits. Blessed is a person 63 00:03:14,240 --> 00:03:17,520 Speaker 1: who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he 64 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:20,600 Speaker 1: will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised 65 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:24,679 Speaker 1: to those who love him. All right, great start to 66 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:27,040 Speaker 1: the Book of James. So far as you can see here, 67 00:03:27,160 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 1: James is a very different type of writer. He's very blunt, 68 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:32,320 Speaker 1: he's very to the point. He is just going to 69 00:03:32,360 --> 00:03:34,240 Speaker 1: say what's on his mind and how it is, and 70 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:36,560 Speaker 1: that's what it's going to be. But let's talk about 71 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:39,400 Speaker 1: who James was before we really dive into what we 72 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:42,520 Speaker 1: just read. James was most likely the brother of Jesus. 73 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:45,360 Speaker 1: There's only two James that we really know of mentioned 74 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:48,240 Speaker 1: in scripture. The first James was one of the disciples 75 00:03:48,280 --> 00:03:51,040 Speaker 1: of Jesus. I believe he was the brother of John. 76 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:54,600 Speaker 1: And James died very early. He was actually one of 77 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:58,440 Speaker 1: the first martyrs in the Christian Church. He died in 78 00:03:58,480 --> 00:04:01,800 Speaker 1: the Book of Acts. Likely James did not write the 79 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:04,680 Speaker 1: Book of James. So really the only other James that 80 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:08,000 Speaker 1: we have is the brother of Jesus. Now, Jesus is 81 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:11,640 Speaker 1: mentioned as having brothers in John chapter seven. Though James 82 00:04:11,720 --> 00:04:15,240 Speaker 1: is not specifically mentioned by name, it still talks about 83 00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 1: him as being one of the brothers of Jesus who 84 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:19,840 Speaker 1: did not believe in him. So let's go ahead and 85 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:23,039 Speaker 1: read that in John seven one through five. After these things, 86 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:25,840 Speaker 1: Jesus was walking in Galilee, for he wouldn't walk in 87 00:04:25,920 --> 00:04:28,800 Speaker 1: Judea because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the 88 00:04:28,839 --> 00:04:31,000 Speaker 1: feast of the Jews, the feast of the booths, was 89 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:34,599 Speaker 1: at hand. His brothers therefore said to him, depart from 90 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:37,600 Speaker 1: here and go into Judea that your disciples also may 91 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:39,760 Speaker 1: see your works which you do. For no one does 92 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:42,520 Speaker 1: anything in secret, while he seeks to be known openly. 93 00:04:42,920 --> 00:04:45,520 Speaker 1: If you do these things, then reveal yourself to the world. 94 00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:49,359 Speaker 1: For even his brothers didn't believe in him. So basically, 95 00:04:49,480 --> 00:04:52,480 Speaker 1: Jesus is staying away from Judea because the Jews were 96 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:56,279 Speaker 1: seeking his life. But his brothers give him absolutely terrible advice, 97 00:04:56,560 --> 00:04:59,359 Speaker 1: and they're like, look, you claim to be the Messiah. 98 00:04:59,360 --> 00:05:01,520 Speaker 1: You can do all these miracles and everything, so just 99 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:04,400 Speaker 1: go to Judea and do them, Like show yourself to 100 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:07,080 Speaker 1: the world. You know, Judea is the place where everybody 101 00:05:07,120 --> 00:05:09,040 Speaker 1: is going to see you. If you stay in Galilee 102 00:05:09,160 --> 00:05:12,320 Speaker 1: doing secret miracles, then nobody is going to know who 103 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:15,799 Speaker 1: you are. And of course this advice was both terrible 104 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:20,200 Speaker 1: and also uncaring of Jesus's life. Interestingly enough, and it 105 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:23,320 Speaker 1: also says in verse five that even his brothers did 106 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:27,680 Speaker 1: not believe in him, that includes James. But later on 107 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:33,520 Speaker 1: in one Corinthians fifteen three through eight, James actually becomes 108 00:05:33,720 --> 00:05:37,240 Speaker 1: a believer. Here's what this says. For I deliver to you, 109 00:05:37,320 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 1: first of all that which I also received, that Christ 110 00:05:40,279 --> 00:05:42,800 Speaker 1: died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he 111 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:45,000 Speaker 1: was buried, that he was raised on the third day 112 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:48,400 Speaker 1: according to the scriptures, and that he appeared Decephis, then 113 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 1: to the twelve. Then he appeared to over five hundred 114 00:05:51,320 --> 00:05:54,080 Speaker 1: brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but 115 00:05:54,160 --> 00:05:57,200 Speaker 1: some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then 116 00:05:57,320 --> 00:06:00,240 Speaker 1: to all the apostles, and last of all, as to 117 00:06:00,279 --> 00:06:03,719 Speaker 1: the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me. Also, 118 00:06:04,200 --> 00:06:06,120 Speaker 1: so that is Paul writing about all of the people 119 00:06:06,279 --> 00:06:10,960 Speaker 1: that saw Jesus after his resurrection, and James, one of 120 00:06:11,040 --> 00:06:15,520 Speaker 1: Jesus's brothers, was on that list, which implies that James 121 00:06:15,520 --> 00:06:19,760 Speaker 1: became a believer when he saw Jesus resurrected from the dead. 122 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:23,520 Speaker 1: And then in Galatians two James is mentioned once again 123 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:26,599 Speaker 1: as being a pillar of the church that's talked about 124 00:06:26,640 --> 00:06:29,400 Speaker 1: in verse nine. It says, when they perceive the grace 125 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:32,600 Speaker 1: that was given to me, James and Cephis and John, 126 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:36,520 Speaker 1: those who were reputed to be pillars, gave to Barnabas 127 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:38,640 Speaker 1: and me the right hand of fellowship, that we should 128 00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:42,279 Speaker 1: go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision. So, 129 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:45,440 Speaker 1: if I'm remembering correctly, that is Paul discussing the first 130 00:06:45,440 --> 00:06:48,839 Speaker 1: time he ever met some of the other disciples. It 131 00:06:48,880 --> 00:06:51,919 Speaker 1: says that he met James and Cephis or Peter and 132 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:56,600 Speaker 1: also John, these three pillars of the church. So this 133 00:06:56,680 --> 00:07:01,360 Speaker 1: means that James did end up believing in Jesus, probably 134 00:07:01,440 --> 00:07:04,840 Speaker 1: right after Jesus appeared to him when he was resurrected. 135 00:07:05,440 --> 00:07:08,640 Speaker 1: So James, the half brother of Jesus by the same 136 00:07:08,720 --> 00:07:13,480 Speaker 1: mother Mary, became a pillar of the church. And so 137 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:17,679 Speaker 1: it's very likely that James, the brother of Jesus, wrote 138 00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:20,960 Speaker 1: the Book of James. So here is how James starts 139 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:24,120 Speaker 1: this book out. He says, James, a servant of God 140 00:07:24,200 --> 00:07:26,960 Speaker 1: and of the Lord Jesus Christ. To the twelve tribes 141 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:31,040 Speaker 1: which are in the dispersion, greetings. Notice that James does 142 00:07:31,080 --> 00:07:34,880 Speaker 1: not mention himself as the brother of Jesus, which I 143 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:38,240 Speaker 1: would imagine, you know, would be really hard to not do. 144 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:41,720 Speaker 1: Like if I were the sister of Jesus, I would 145 00:07:41,720 --> 00:07:44,880 Speaker 1: want to declare that news to everybody. I'd be like, yeah, 146 00:07:44,960 --> 00:07:47,800 Speaker 1: I look at me. I lived in the same house 147 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:51,040 Speaker 1: as Jesus did for a while, I had a personal 148 00:07:51,080 --> 00:07:53,720 Speaker 1: relationship with Jesus. That would be what I would want 149 00:07:53,760 --> 00:07:55,440 Speaker 1: to do, you know, if I was writing a letter 150 00:07:55,480 --> 00:07:57,760 Speaker 1: to somebody. But you can see here that James learned 151 00:07:57,800 --> 00:08:00,400 Speaker 1: some humility. He wasn't even going to call himself the 152 00:08:00,440 --> 00:08:05,120 Speaker 1: brother of Jesus. Instead, he calls himself the servant of Jesus. 153 00:08:05,160 --> 00:08:08,080 Speaker 1: He says, a servant of God and of the Lord 154 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:12,640 Speaker 1: Jesus Christ. Now notice he puts that word Christ after 155 00:08:12,760 --> 00:08:16,720 Speaker 1: Jesus's name. In today's day and age, people actually think 156 00:08:16,760 --> 00:08:21,000 Speaker 1: that Christ is Jesus's last name. It is not. Christ 157 00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:24,520 Speaker 1: is a title. It means Messiah. So yes, James's last 158 00:08:24,600 --> 00:08:30,880 Speaker 1: name was not James Christ. James was calling Jesus the Messiah. 159 00:08:31,240 --> 00:08:33,240 Speaker 1: And he writes all of these things to the twelve 160 00:08:33,280 --> 00:08:35,960 Speaker 1: tribes which are in the dispersion. So this would be 161 00:08:35,960 --> 00:08:40,960 Speaker 1: the twelve tribes of the Jews. Remember in Galatians chapter two, 162 00:08:41,000 --> 00:08:44,440 Speaker 1: that verse we just read when Paul met James and 163 00:08:44,480 --> 00:08:47,400 Speaker 1: Cephis for the first time. It mentions in that verse 164 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:50,280 Speaker 1: that Paul and Barnabas were supposed to be missionaries to 165 00:08:50,720 --> 00:08:55,120 Speaker 1: the Gentiles, and James, Cephis, and John were to be 166 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:59,280 Speaker 1: missionaries to the circumcised, also known as the Jewish people. 167 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:02,560 Speaker 1: So James is writing to the Jewish people because that 168 00:09:02,679 --> 00:09:06,840 Speaker 1: is who he is, a missionary too, essentially, and so 169 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:10,360 Speaker 1: he gets to his point in verse two, count it all, joy, 170 00:09:10,400 --> 00:09:14,640 Speaker 1: my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that 171 00:09:14,679 --> 00:09:18,480 Speaker 1: the testing of your faith produces endurance. Now a few 172 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:20,480 Speaker 1: things I want to say about that verse. Firstly, the 173 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:23,840 Speaker 1: Greek word for brothers includes like everybody. It's kind of 174 00:09:23,880 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 1: like the term for siblings, so it would mean brothers 175 00:09:27,080 --> 00:09:29,480 Speaker 1: and sisters. And depending on the version you're reading it 176 00:09:29,559 --> 00:09:31,600 Speaker 1: might say that might say count it all, join my 177 00:09:31,640 --> 00:09:34,720 Speaker 1: brothers and sisters, or something like that when you fall 178 00:09:34,760 --> 00:09:39,160 Speaker 1: into various temptations. Now, the Greek word for temptations could 179 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:43,640 Speaker 1: also mean trials, and again, whatever version you might have, 180 00:09:44,040 --> 00:09:47,640 Speaker 1: it may say trials. I believe the NIV version translates 181 00:09:47,679 --> 00:09:50,680 Speaker 1: it as trials, but it could be translated either way. 182 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:53,920 Speaker 1: And I honestly think that James specifically used that word 183 00:09:54,280 --> 00:09:58,040 Speaker 1: because regardless of whether you're going through trials or temptations 184 00:09:58,120 --> 00:10:02,520 Speaker 1: to sin, you can count these things as joy as 185 00:10:02,520 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 1: long as you do not give in to those temptations. 186 00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:07,880 Speaker 1: And here's what James means by this. He is not 187 00:10:07,920 --> 00:10:11,520 Speaker 1: saying that we need to rejoice during the middle of trials, 188 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:15,599 Speaker 1: because obviously trials are not fun. Even Jesus did not 189 00:10:15,760 --> 00:10:18,719 Speaker 1: rejoice in the middle of his trial when he went 190 00:10:18,760 --> 00:10:20,960 Speaker 1: to the cross. What did he do? He was so 191 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:25,240 Speaker 1: stressed that he was sweating blood. But what Jesus did 192 00:10:25,320 --> 00:10:28,599 Speaker 1: do was he looked forward to the joy. That is 193 00:10:28,640 --> 00:10:31,000 Speaker 1: actually something we just read in the Book of Hebrews. 194 00:10:31,320 --> 00:10:35,000 Speaker 1: It said that Jesus looked forward to the glory that 195 00:10:35,040 --> 00:10:37,880 Speaker 1: would be revealed after he went to the cross. And 196 00:10:37,960 --> 00:10:39,960 Speaker 1: forgive me that is not verbatim, that those are my 197 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:44,480 Speaker 1: own words. But essentially, Jesus was counting the joy like 198 00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:47,920 Speaker 1: what James says right here. He was looking forward to 199 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:51,040 Speaker 1: the joy that would be offered to him after he 200 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:55,960 Speaker 1: went to the cross. And so as Christians who follow Jesus. 201 00:10:56,440 --> 00:10:59,560 Speaker 1: We can learn to do that exact same thing. We 202 00:10:59,679 --> 00:11:03,040 Speaker 1: learn to count the joy when we are going through 203 00:11:03,120 --> 00:11:08,800 Speaker 1: temptations or trials because we know that these things test 204 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:12,640 Speaker 1: our faith and produce endurance. And here's why this is important. 205 00:11:12,679 --> 00:11:15,960 Speaker 1: As a Christian. Let endurance have its perfect work, that 206 00:11:16,040 --> 00:11:19,800 Speaker 1: you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Now, 207 00:11:19,840 --> 00:11:23,840 Speaker 1: this does not mean that if we endure trials well, 208 00:11:24,200 --> 00:11:28,560 Speaker 1: that we're going to become a perfect individual. Even Paul 209 00:11:29,120 --> 00:11:33,160 Speaker 1: said that it was not possible. In Philippians three, verse twelve, 210 00:11:33,320 --> 00:11:36,000 Speaker 1: it says not that I have already obtained or am 211 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:39,120 Speaker 1: made perfect, but I press on that I may take 212 00:11:39,160 --> 00:11:41,600 Speaker 1: hold of that for which I was also taken hold 213 00:11:41,640 --> 00:11:45,000 Speaker 1: of by Christ Jesus. So when James one says that 214 00:11:45,040 --> 00:11:48,440 Speaker 1: you're going to be made perfect and complete, the idea 215 00:11:48,840 --> 00:11:53,720 Speaker 1: is not sinless perfection, but maturity as a Christian. So 216 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:56,200 Speaker 1: you can kind of gauge, I suppose how mature of 217 00:11:56,240 --> 00:12:00,280 Speaker 1: a Christian you are depending on how well you are 218 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:04,040 Speaker 1: able to endure through something. And this is a learned trait. 219 00:12:04,679 --> 00:12:07,319 Speaker 1: This is not something that we're automatically going to have. 220 00:12:07,600 --> 00:12:10,079 Speaker 1: And that's kind of what James says right here. He says, 221 00:12:10,920 --> 00:12:14,880 Speaker 1: count the joy in these trials, knowing that all of 222 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:18,680 Speaker 1: these things are going to give you a more perfect faith, 223 00:12:19,160 --> 00:12:24,160 Speaker 1: a more enduring type of faith. Even Paul had to 224 00:12:24,280 --> 00:12:27,880 Speaker 1: learn to be content in every single circumstance and learn 225 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:31,000 Speaker 1: to endure. That is what he says in Philippians chapter 226 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:34,160 Speaker 1: four eleven. Not that I speak because of lack, For 227 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:37,240 Speaker 1: I've learned in whatever state I am, to be content 228 00:12:37,520 --> 00:12:39,880 Speaker 1: in it. I know how to be humbled, and I 229 00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:43,800 Speaker 1: also know how to abound in any and in all circumstances. 230 00:12:43,840 --> 00:12:46,600 Speaker 1: I have learned the secret both to be filled and 231 00:12:46,679 --> 00:12:49,679 Speaker 1: to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. 232 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:53,080 Speaker 1: I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. 233 00:12:53,760 --> 00:12:57,200 Speaker 1: So even Paul says, I had to learn endurance. It 234 00:12:57,320 --> 00:13:01,280 Speaker 1: was not something that I was naturally and with. I 235 00:13:01,360 --> 00:13:04,160 Speaker 1: had to learn it by having faith in God, by 236 00:13:04,240 --> 00:13:08,000 Speaker 1: understanding that God is good and that God can accomplish 237 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:12,240 Speaker 1: anything despite the situation that I am in. So whether 238 00:13:12,240 --> 00:13:14,880 Speaker 1: I'm hungry or my belly is filled with good food, 239 00:13:15,280 --> 00:13:17,280 Speaker 1: I am going to put my faith in Jesus because 240 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:20,880 Speaker 1: he gives me everything that I need. So even Paul, 241 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:25,240 Speaker 1: the pinnacle of endurance, had to learn to have endurance. 242 00:13:25,800 --> 00:13:27,640 Speaker 1: So that is one of the ways we can gauge 243 00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:33,040 Speaker 1: our spiritual maturity and also a blessing. I suppose that 244 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 1: comes from the trials and the temptations that we are 245 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:39,480 Speaker 1: going to deal with in this life, and it really 246 00:13:39,520 --> 00:13:42,200 Speaker 1: is a positive thing. When I worked at that terrible 247 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:46,480 Speaker 1: factory back in twenty nineteen, I can honestly say I 248 00:13:46,520 --> 00:13:51,600 Speaker 1: had zero endurance of anything. I was unable to look 249 00:13:51,640 --> 00:13:55,400 Speaker 1: past myself and give anybody any of my time if 250 00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:57,280 Speaker 1: I did not want to do it. And suddenly I 251 00:13:57,360 --> 00:13:59,840 Speaker 1: was stuck in this job that I could not get 252 00:13:59,840 --> 00:14:02,480 Speaker 1: out of, no matter how many different places I applied to, 253 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:06,440 Speaker 1: I was stuck at that factory, and I actually had 254 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:09,520 Speaker 1: to learn to give away my time. And suddenly, I'm 255 00:14:09,520 --> 00:14:12,120 Speaker 1: not even joking, I saw this verse come to life 256 00:14:12,160 --> 00:14:16,200 Speaker 1: in myself because when a Saturday rolled around when I 257 00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:19,520 Speaker 1: didn't have much time at all to do anything, it 258 00:14:19,600 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 1: really did become easier giving that time away to other people, 259 00:14:23,560 --> 00:14:26,000 Speaker 1: because I was like, you know, this is better than 260 00:14:26,040 --> 00:14:28,560 Speaker 1: working at the factory. First and foremost, I would rather 261 00:14:28,600 --> 00:14:32,120 Speaker 1: do anything than work there. So any time that I 262 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:34,760 Speaker 1: have away from there is a good time. And also 263 00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:37,960 Speaker 1: I remembered thinking, it's okay, I'm going to have time 264 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:40,120 Speaker 1: later on. This is not that big of a deal. 265 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:43,120 Speaker 1: I can give three hours of my time on a 266 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:47,240 Speaker 1: Saturday to you know, help somebody in my family or 267 00:14:47,520 --> 00:14:50,880 Speaker 1: whatever was going on during that day. And I'm telling 268 00:14:50,920 --> 00:14:53,080 Speaker 1: you this verse came alive in me, and I was 269 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:56,120 Speaker 1: able to give more of my time something that was 270 00:14:56,240 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 1: very precious to me before that more willingly, through a 271 00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:03,120 Speaker 1: bad Ta circumstance, I was able to endure and find 272 00:15:03,400 --> 00:15:07,080 Speaker 1: more joy in life even when things were not ideal 273 00:15:07,400 --> 00:15:10,320 Speaker 1: for me. If that makes sense. So there is something 274 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:13,840 Speaker 1: really good that comes from trials and temptations and negativity. 275 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:18,240 Speaker 1: We are able to just find more contentment and peace 276 00:15:18,520 --> 00:15:22,760 Speaker 1: and happiness when things are not ideal. And he continues 277 00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:26,040 Speaker 1: in verse five, if any of you lacks wisdom, let 278 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:29,120 Speaker 1: him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and 279 00:15:29,160 --> 00:15:32,280 Speaker 1: without reproach, and it will be given to him. But 280 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:35,680 Speaker 1: let him ask in faith without any doubting. For he 281 00:15:35,760 --> 00:15:38,440 Speaker 1: who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven 282 00:15:38,520 --> 00:15:42,040 Speaker 1: by the wind and tossed. For that man shouldn't think 283 00:15:42,080 --> 00:15:44,560 Speaker 1: that he will receive anything from the Lord. He is 284 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:49,720 Speaker 1: a double minded man. Unstable in all his ways. So basically, 285 00:15:49,800 --> 00:15:52,480 Speaker 1: God doesn't just abandon us when we're going through trials. 286 00:15:52,920 --> 00:15:56,400 Speaker 1: We can ask for help. If we are struggling through 287 00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:59,240 Speaker 1: something where we need wisdom, we can go to God 288 00:15:59,320 --> 00:16:02,440 Speaker 1: and say, hey, God, I really need help and wisdom 289 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:05,080 Speaker 1: during this time, and it says that God will be 290 00:16:05,160 --> 00:16:07,760 Speaker 1: there with you. He will give to all liberally and 291 00:16:07,840 --> 00:16:11,200 Speaker 1: without reproach, and it will be given him as long 292 00:16:11,400 --> 00:16:14,920 Speaker 1: as it is done in faith. Though it says the 293 00:16:14,920 --> 00:16:17,400 Speaker 1: person who doubts God is kind of like a wave 294 00:16:17,480 --> 00:16:19,680 Speaker 1: of the sea. It's driven by the wind and tossed 295 00:16:19,720 --> 00:16:23,160 Speaker 1: around essentially, so that wisdom is not going to have 296 00:16:23,240 --> 00:16:25,960 Speaker 1: any true effect in their life. There has to be 297 00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:29,440 Speaker 1: a true faith in God there that God's way is best, 298 00:16:29,680 --> 00:16:32,360 Speaker 1: that you want to do his will, that you trust 299 00:16:32,400 --> 00:16:35,920 Speaker 1: His wisdom and his ways, and then that wisdom will 300 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:39,120 Speaker 1: have its full effect in your life and you'll be 301 00:16:39,160 --> 00:16:42,320 Speaker 1: able to weather these trials and temptations in your life 302 00:16:42,640 --> 00:16:45,760 Speaker 1: far better with the wisdom that God gives you. So 303 00:16:45,800 --> 00:16:47,760 Speaker 1: we can't be double minded. It's what it says in 304 00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:50,920 Speaker 1: verse eight. He is a double minded man, unstable in 305 00:16:51,040 --> 00:16:55,200 Speaker 1: all his ways, So don't be unstable, not trusting God's wisdom, 306 00:16:55,640 --> 00:16:59,360 Speaker 1: but rather trust God's wisdom is what James is getting 307 00:16:59,400 --> 00:17:02,440 Speaker 1: at here, trust that his way is the best. And 308 00:17:02,480 --> 00:17:04,960 Speaker 1: continuing in verse nine, it says, let the brother in 309 00:17:05,040 --> 00:17:09,440 Speaker 1: humble circumstances glory in his high position, and the rich 310 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:12,560 Speaker 1: in that he is made humble. So, continuing with this 311 00:17:12,640 --> 00:17:18,679 Speaker 1: theme of enduring through trials and temptations, James really starts 312 00:17:18,720 --> 00:17:21,399 Speaker 1: to focus, I think, on the temptation aspect of all 313 00:17:21,440 --> 00:17:24,400 Speaker 1: of this. Now, before I think he was focusing more 314 00:17:24,440 --> 00:17:26,760 Speaker 1: on the trials, you know, the things that are kind 315 00:17:26,760 --> 00:17:29,560 Speaker 1: of outside of our control, things that just hit us, 316 00:17:29,880 --> 00:17:33,760 Speaker 1: miseries that we have to deal with, pain, suffering, whatever 317 00:17:33,800 --> 00:17:37,200 Speaker 1: it might be. But we can also endure through temptation. 318 00:17:37,760 --> 00:17:40,920 Speaker 1: But with temptation we have a choice. We can either 319 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:44,080 Speaker 1: choose to give in to the temptation or we can 320 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:48,679 Speaker 1: choose to reject that temptation. The example he gives is 321 00:17:48,760 --> 00:17:53,679 Speaker 1: in wealth. Firstly, the poor person. He says, let the brother, 322 00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 1: in other words, the Christian in humble circumstances glory in 323 00:17:58,040 --> 00:18:02,840 Speaker 1: his high position. He's speaking to the unwealthy. Now he's saying, look, 324 00:18:03,240 --> 00:18:05,200 Speaker 1: all of you who don't have a lot of money, 325 00:18:05,520 --> 00:18:08,480 Speaker 1: who don't have a lot of finances. Don't be tempted 326 00:18:08,640 --> 00:18:11,840 Speaker 1: to be greedy and have a love of money. Instead, 327 00:18:12,400 --> 00:18:16,119 Speaker 1: glory in your high position. And that is something we 328 00:18:16,200 --> 00:18:20,440 Speaker 1: don't often think about somebody who is unwealthy. We would 329 00:18:20,480 --> 00:18:23,080 Speaker 1: never think that somebody who is poor is in a 330 00:18:23,160 --> 00:18:27,080 Speaker 1: high position. Instead, we look at movie stars and popular 331 00:18:27,200 --> 00:18:33,000 Speaker 1: musicians and you know, tech CEOs and billionaires. We think 332 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:36,320 Speaker 1: of them as being in high positions. Right, But James 333 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:39,320 Speaker 1: actually says that the poor Christian is the one who 334 00:18:39,400 --> 00:18:44,520 Speaker 1: actually has a high position. And what is their high position. Well, 335 00:18:44,520 --> 00:18:46,879 Speaker 1: they're a son or a daughter of the King of 336 00:18:46,880 --> 00:18:51,320 Speaker 1: the universe, who gives everything to everybody, and they are 337 00:18:51,359 --> 00:18:55,560 Speaker 1: someday going to live in complete and total harmony with 338 00:18:55,680 --> 00:18:59,399 Speaker 1: all of their needs being met as a child of royalty. 339 00:18:59,840 --> 00:19:02,080 Speaker 1: That's pretty cool if you think about it. So basically, 340 00:19:02,359 --> 00:19:06,080 Speaker 1: don't envy the rich people, don't worry about their finances, 341 00:19:06,280 --> 00:19:10,320 Speaker 1: don't idolize money, because if you're a Christian, God has 342 00:19:10,359 --> 00:19:14,680 Speaker 1: already given you a high position, and also God will 343 00:19:14,720 --> 00:19:18,400 Speaker 1: take care of your needs. So God works through these trials, 344 00:19:18,920 --> 00:19:21,280 Speaker 1: and that is why James tells us. He tells the 345 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:25,720 Speaker 1: poor don't be tempted by wealth. Don't be tempted to 346 00:19:25,760 --> 00:19:29,359 Speaker 1: be greedy, because God is going to provide your needs. 347 00:19:29,880 --> 00:19:32,119 Speaker 1: He might provide them in a way that you're not expecting, 348 00:19:32,680 --> 00:19:36,720 Speaker 1: through a trial, maybe through a nasty circumstance, but He 349 00:19:36,800 --> 00:19:40,000 Speaker 1: is going to provide for you all of your needs 350 00:19:40,840 --> 00:19:43,560 Speaker 1: glory in that high status. That's what he says right here. 351 00:19:44,280 --> 00:19:46,720 Speaker 1: Then in verse ten, he has a warning for the rich, 352 00:19:47,760 --> 00:19:50,720 Speaker 1: he says, and for the rich he is made humble 353 00:19:51,240 --> 00:19:53,760 Speaker 1: because like a flower in the grass, he will pass away, 354 00:19:54,080 --> 00:19:56,680 Speaker 1: for the sun arises with the scorching wind and withers 355 00:19:56,680 --> 00:19:58,840 Speaker 1: with the grass, and the flower in it falls and 356 00:19:58,880 --> 00:20:01,560 Speaker 1: the beauty of its appearance perishes. So the rich man 357 00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:04,400 Speaker 1: will also fade away in his pursuits. So the same 358 00:20:04,440 --> 00:20:06,159 Speaker 1: way that the poor man is to glory in his 359 00:20:06,240 --> 00:20:10,399 Speaker 1: high position, the rich man is supposed to glory in 360 00:20:10,440 --> 00:20:13,720 Speaker 1: the fact that he is made humble because his or 361 00:20:13,720 --> 00:20:16,240 Speaker 1: her wealth is going to go to someone else. His are, 362 00:20:16,280 --> 00:20:21,960 Speaker 1: her pursuits, endeavors, company career, all of these things will 363 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:26,320 Speaker 1: pass to somebody new. The wealth will all pass away. 364 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:29,600 Speaker 1: And that is something that the Christian rich man should 365 00:20:29,640 --> 00:20:33,080 Speaker 1: look favorably on and say, God, thank you so much 366 00:20:33,119 --> 00:20:37,760 Speaker 1: for humbling me that ultimately nothing really matters in my 367 00:20:37,920 --> 00:20:42,280 Speaker 1: life except for you. Now you might be like, how 368 00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:46,280 Speaker 1: is humility a good thing? Like why would somebody want 369 00:20:46,320 --> 00:20:51,720 Speaker 1: to glory in their humility? Well, actually, in Philippians chapter three, 370 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:55,520 Speaker 1: that's exactly what Paul does. He says in verse eight 371 00:20:55,720 --> 00:20:59,280 Speaker 1: through eleven, Yes, most certainly, I count all things to 372 00:20:59,320 --> 00:21:02,600 Speaker 1: be a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, 373 00:21:02,640 --> 00:21:05,480 Speaker 1: Jesus my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of 374 00:21:05,560 --> 00:21:09,119 Speaker 1: all things, and I count them nothing but refuse that 375 00:21:09,200 --> 00:21:12,200 Speaker 1: I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not 376 00:21:12,240 --> 00:21:14,560 Speaker 1: having a righteousness of my own, that which is of 377 00:21:14,640 --> 00:21:17,320 Speaker 1: the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, 378 00:21:17,560 --> 00:21:20,879 Speaker 1: the righteousness which is from God, by faith, that I 379 00:21:20,960 --> 00:21:23,639 Speaker 1: may know Him, and the power of his resurrection and 380 00:21:23,680 --> 00:21:27,439 Speaker 1: the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death, 381 00:21:27,840 --> 00:21:30,400 Speaker 1: if by any means I may obtain to the resurrection 382 00:21:30,480 --> 00:21:33,720 Speaker 1: from the dead. So in those verses, Paul saying he 383 00:21:33,800 --> 00:21:37,720 Speaker 1: rejects everything he once thought was valuable in his life, 384 00:21:38,200 --> 00:21:40,160 Speaker 1: and don't forget you know, Paul was in a very 385 00:21:40,200 --> 00:21:43,480 Speaker 1: prominent position before he became a Christian, before he met 386 00:21:43,520 --> 00:21:46,840 Speaker 1: Jesus on the road to Damascus. He was a pharisee, 387 00:21:47,200 --> 00:21:50,960 Speaker 1: possibly setting out to become the next high priest. He 388 00:21:51,040 --> 00:21:54,440 Speaker 1: was a politician of sorts. He was probably well off, 389 00:21:54,800 --> 00:21:57,679 Speaker 1: quite honestly, and not hurting for money. He was a 390 00:21:57,720 --> 00:22:00,080 Speaker 1: man who kind of had it all his wad. His 391 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:04,399 Speaker 1: career was on a fantastic path forward. And yet he 392 00:22:04,480 --> 00:22:08,879 Speaker 1: rejected all of that for something so much better, for 393 00:22:08,960 --> 00:22:12,680 Speaker 1: the humility of Jesus Christ. And that is what the 394 00:22:12,800 --> 00:22:16,639 Speaker 1: rich man is supposed to do as well, realizing that 395 00:22:16,760 --> 00:22:19,280 Speaker 1: his wealth is only temporary and that there's something so 396 00:22:19,560 --> 00:22:23,280 Speaker 1: much better out there. So James warns the rich person, 397 00:22:24,040 --> 00:22:28,280 Speaker 1: do not become complacent in your wealth. Do not become 398 00:22:28,320 --> 00:22:32,639 Speaker 1: greedy for more wealth. Do not act selfish in your wealth, 399 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:36,199 Speaker 1: saying that this is all mine. That you know, I 400 00:22:36,320 --> 00:22:40,200 Speaker 1: did all of this, look at me. Do not become arrogant. Instead, 401 00:22:40,240 --> 00:22:42,920 Speaker 1: search in that humility that comes from Jesus and avoid 402 00:22:43,160 --> 00:22:46,320 Speaker 1: the temptation of wealth. So, whether you're poor or you're rich, 403 00:22:46,760 --> 00:22:50,399 Speaker 1: the moral of the story is to avoid temptations and 404 00:22:50,480 --> 00:22:54,520 Speaker 1: to count joy for what you've been given in the future, 405 00:22:54,800 --> 00:22:58,400 Speaker 1: which is basically your eternal afterlife. Look forward to that, 406 00:22:58,800 --> 00:23:01,760 Speaker 1: not to the things of this earth. And here's what 407 00:23:01,840 --> 00:23:06,240 Speaker 1: James concludes by saying, blessed is a person who endures temptation, 408 00:23:06,640 --> 00:23:09,280 Speaker 1: for when he has been approved, he will receive the 409 00:23:09,280 --> 00:23:12,800 Speaker 1: crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who 410 00:23:12,840 --> 00:23:16,320 Speaker 1: love him. So every single person who truly believes in Jesus, 411 00:23:16,359 --> 00:23:19,440 Speaker 1: whether they're poor or rich, whether they're Jewish or gentile, 412 00:23:19,680 --> 00:23:23,040 Speaker 1: whether they're slave or free, these people will experience the 413 00:23:23,240 --> 00:23:31,560 Speaker 1: ultimate joy of receiving a crown of life from Jesus himself. Okay, 414 00:23:31,560 --> 00:23:33,800 Speaker 1: faithful listeners, I do have one last thing I want 415 00:23:33,840 --> 00:23:36,560 Speaker 1: to say about this episode before I tell you guys goodbye. 416 00:23:36,760 --> 00:23:38,600 Speaker 1: But before I close out the episode with all of that, 417 00:23:38,840 --> 00:23:43,119 Speaker 1: please listen to this one last sponsor for today. Okay, 418 00:23:43,160 --> 00:23:44,639 Speaker 1: the last thing I want to say before I end 419 00:23:44,640 --> 00:23:47,240 Speaker 1: today's episode is that there's one more moral that we 420 00:23:47,280 --> 00:23:51,560 Speaker 1: can take from James Chapter one, and that is, whether 421 00:23:51,640 --> 00:23:54,760 Speaker 1: you're poor or you're rich, you're going to experience a 422 00:23:54,760 --> 00:23:56,800 Speaker 1: lot of trouble in life. And that's kind of what 423 00:23:56,920 --> 00:24:01,000 Speaker 1: James says right here. The rich have temptations, they have trials. 424 00:24:01,600 --> 00:24:05,159 Speaker 1: The poor people have temptations and they have trials. So 425 00:24:05,200 --> 00:24:08,119 Speaker 1: we shouldn't be envying each other. We shouldn't be looking 426 00:24:08,160 --> 00:24:11,240 Speaker 1: at this person being like, Oh, they have it so easy. 427 00:24:11,640 --> 00:24:15,800 Speaker 1: They have their entire life figured out, they have everything 428 00:24:15,840 --> 00:24:19,520 Speaker 1: going for them. Now, granted, somebody might present that way. 429 00:24:19,960 --> 00:24:22,920 Speaker 1: They might present that they have everything going for them 430 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:26,720 Speaker 1: and eternally they might be living in complete misery and depression, 431 00:24:27,160 --> 00:24:29,200 Speaker 1: or they might be struggling with some sort of secret 432 00:24:29,280 --> 00:24:32,439 Speaker 1: sin that is eating them alive with guilt, or they 433 00:24:32,520 --> 00:24:35,560 Speaker 1: might be struggling in their marriage, or with their children, 434 00:24:35,680 --> 00:24:38,919 Speaker 1: or in their family, or anything else. We don't know 435 00:24:39,040 --> 00:24:42,080 Speaker 1: what is going on in each person's life. There's a 436 00:24:42,119 --> 00:24:44,240 Speaker 1: proverb that I did not look up, and I apologize 437 00:24:44,240 --> 00:24:46,000 Speaker 1: for this, but it says something along the lines of 438 00:24:46,800 --> 00:24:50,440 Speaker 1: no one can know the depth of somebody else's misery, 439 00:24:50,880 --> 00:24:55,080 Speaker 1: and they also can't know the depth of somebody else's joy. 440 00:24:55,160 --> 00:24:57,520 Speaker 1: You can only know the depth of your own joy 441 00:24:57,600 --> 00:25:00,880 Speaker 1: and your own misery. So we should not be envying 442 00:25:01,040 --> 00:25:04,080 Speaker 1: anybody else because we do not know what they are 443 00:25:04,119 --> 00:25:06,959 Speaker 1: going through. Even if they have the most money in 444 00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:09,720 Speaker 1: the world, even if their kids and their family seems 445 00:25:09,760 --> 00:25:13,040 Speaker 1: to be so happy, even if they look like they 446 00:25:13,080 --> 00:25:15,800 Speaker 1: have everything together, we do not know what they are 447 00:25:15,880 --> 00:25:18,080 Speaker 1: going through and how they are struggling. We can only 448 00:25:18,080 --> 00:25:21,080 Speaker 1: see the image that they are presenting to us. We 449 00:25:21,160 --> 00:25:24,480 Speaker 1: don't know what's behind those scenes. So keep that in mind. 450 00:25:24,880 --> 00:25:28,240 Speaker 1: This world is a broken place. Every single person is 451 00:25:28,280 --> 00:25:31,720 Speaker 1: going to go through brokenness and trials and temptations. So 452 00:25:31,760 --> 00:25:33,840 Speaker 1: are we going to be the person that cannot endure 453 00:25:33,920 --> 00:25:37,760 Speaker 1: through these trials that we're going to experience anyway? Or 454 00:25:37,800 --> 00:25:40,760 Speaker 1: are we going to be somebody that endures through these 455 00:25:40,800 --> 00:25:43,479 Speaker 1: trials and says Jesus, I am giving all of this 456 00:25:43,560 --> 00:25:46,880 Speaker 1: to you. I'm going to have faith in your ways, 457 00:25:47,119 --> 00:25:50,520 Speaker 1: in your will, in your wisdom, and I'm going to 458 00:25:50,520 --> 00:25:53,160 Speaker 1: do the best that I possibly can through these trials 459 00:25:53,320 --> 00:25:57,399 Speaker 1: and these temptations I am experiencing. We have a choice 460 00:25:57,560 --> 00:26:01,679 Speaker 1: to be somebody who suffers. Well. Faithful listeners, have a 461 00:26:01,800 --> 00:26:04,959 Speaker 1: wonderful rest of your day, happy listening, and God bless 462 00:26:11,680 --> 00:26:13,159 Speaker 1: I just want to take a second to thank the 463 00:26:13,160 --> 00:26:15,399 Speaker 1: team at Life Audio for their partnership with me on 464 00:26:15,440 --> 00:26:17,919 Speaker 1: the Bible Explain podcast. In fact, if you go to 465 00:26:17,960 --> 00:26:21,040 Speaker 1: lifeaudio dot com you'll find dozens of other faith centered 466 00:26:21,080 --> 00:26:25,400 Speaker 1: podcasts in their network. They've got shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, 467 00:26:25,640 --> 00:26:26,040 Speaker 1: and more.