-Reason for the Series: To try to help us answer the whys and whats in our lives.
-Pt. 1 What Do You Do When Life Squeezes You?
*James 1:1-4
--Times are tough and it is easy to get down, but there is something amazing happening right now that God is doing in your life. You can't see it now, but He is in the middle of bringing something incredibly good out of the difficult times in your life.
--Tough times (when our faith is tested) help us grow and persevere and develop patience.
--We are interested mostly in being happy. God is mostly interested in making us Holy. For us, it's about developing comfort, for Him, its about developing character. He wants to develop in us the character of Jesus Christ.
--We will go through some of the same tough times Jesus did, and we are being prepared for those times.
--We need to learn a lesson instead of just getting the pressure relieved in our lives.
--How we respond to the pressures in life makes all the difference.
--There is a purpose/plan behind all of the problems. Not all prayers are always answered because God has a different plan.
*James 1:5
--How do we hold on to the perspective that God is using the trials in our lives to fulfill His purpose?
--We have to have wisdom. If we lack it, we should ask God for it and it will be given to you.
--We have to lean hard into God and recognize that He is always with us.
--Everything changes when we see life from God's perspective.
--Our point of view: everything seems hopeless. God's point of view: it is an opportunity to quit worrying and life by faith. Quit trusting in us, and depend on Him.
--God strategically places people and events in our lives.
--When we begin to see from God's point of view, everything changes.
--Seeing life from His point of view does not make life easy or take the pain away, but it gives you the strength and the hope to endure.
--PRAY FOR WISDOM early and often!
--God gives generous to all without finding fault!
--You will have patience, perseverance, and become mature and complete, not lacking anything!
Listen to it!:http://tiny.cc/PD1sp
Really cool, Nate! This is a great reminder for me through the week. I enjoyed getting to see what you took out of the message.
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