Morning Coffee With JamesSample

Pure Joy?

Read James 1:2-3

God's Word to Them...

James wrote these words to encourage early Christians who were going through very difficult times. Early converts often lost their jobs, their homes, and even their families, simply for claiming to be followers of Christ. Many of them were put in prison, and some were even killed.

God's Word to Us...

This is one of those hard verses. Are we really supposed to be happy when bad things happen to us? Of course not. Happiness and joy are two entirely different things. Happiness is an emotion that comes and goes in waves. Joy, however, is something more permanent. Happiness is a state of our emotions, while joy is a state of our soul.

Happiness is based on our current situation, while joy is based on our future. We may not be happy if we lose our jobs, break our legs, or wreck our cars. But we can have joy in knowing that in spite of all these things, God is good. Although He doesn’t cause the bad things in our lives, He will use those things to make us into the people He wants us to be. Becoming the person He created us to be will eventually bring us both joy and happiness.

Cream and Sugar...

Remember a difficult time in your life. How did God use that time or event to make you stronger?

Our Heavenly Father, please help me to remember today when trials come, both big and small, that You did not send them. Help me to rest in knowing that if I let You, You will use those things to bring about good in my life, and to make me stronger. Thank You for the joy I have in knowing You. Amen.

The Last Drop...

“Grace grows best in winter.” —SAMUEL RUTHERFORD