Faith To Live By

By Val Waldeck

Christians are not immune to problems, trials and temptations and how well we know that.

There are some people, however, who believe that unpleasant events in our lives are proof that there is something wrong with our faith. They assume that there is a problem in our relationship with God and they tend to correlate goodness with prosperity.

This is not Biblical teaching and James gives us some clear teaching in his epistle on the subject. The Early Church in his time was a scattered and persecuted Body and James assures us that the Lord never allows anything in our lives without PURPOSE and that He always provides the WISDOM needed for us to deal with trouble. At the same time, He requires a very definite RESPONSE from us.

Faith To Live By is a very practical letter to Christians of all ages and is our theme for this devotional teaching.

Be blessed and encouraged in your faith as you follow the daily devotionals.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Val Waldeck
• Release date: May 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310116001

Val Waldeck

Val Waldeck: Author, Publishing Consultant and Bible Teacher resident in Cape Town, South Africa.

Book preview

Introduction

Christians are not immune to problems, trials and temptations and how well we know that.

There are some people, however, who believe that unpleasant events in our lives are proof that there is something wrong with our faith. They assume that there is a problem in our relationship with God and they tend to correlate goodness with prosperity.

This is not Biblical teaching and James gives us some clear teaching in his epistle on the subject. The Early Church in his time was a scattered and persecuted Body and James assures us that the Lord never allows anything in our lives without PURPOSE and that He always provides the WISDOM needed for us to deal with trouble. At the same time, He requires a very definite RESPONSE from us.

This is a very practical letter to Christians of all ages and is our theme for this devotional teaching.

Be blessed and encouraged in your faith as you follow the daily devotionals.

Val Waldeck

Email: mailto:[e-mail]

www.valwaldeck.com

1. James, a Bondservant

James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. -- James 1:1

TWO of the original twelve Apostles were named James (Matt. 10:2,3 James the son of Zebedee... and... James the son of Alphaeus). The JAMES who wrote this New Testament letter, however, was not an apostle.

Known as James the Just by the New Testament Church, he was, in fact, the brother of the Lord Jesus Christ (in that Mary and Joseph were his parents). Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers JAMES, Joses, Simon, and Judas? -- Mat 13:55

James was not a believer at the start of Jesus' ministry according to John 7:5. - For even His brothers did not believe in Him. After the resurrection Jesus appeared to him personally. .. He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. -- 1 Cor 15:5-7

He was present on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:13), became the recognised leader (overseer) of the Judean Church and pastored the Jerusalem Church. (Acts 12:17, 15:13-21, 21:18, Gal. 1:19, 2:9,12). James was martyred after thirty fruitful years of ministry. Historians tell us that he was stoned to death while on his knees praying, Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.

This is the James who wrote this epistle around AD 60. The brother of the Lord and a renowned Church leader, he makes no claim to a unique relationship with Jesus, nor does he share stories from his youth. No name-dropping. He is the bondservant or slave of the Lord Jesus Christ, a man of HUMILITY and faith.

Are you proud of your status today? Or your relationships? Like John the Baptist - and James - we must decrease that HE may increase (John 3:30).

Prayer:

Lord, please keep me today, and in the days to come, from all pride and self-conceit. Help me to remember that without You I can do nothing. So keep me all my days in humility and in gratitude to You, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

2. Trouble Be My Friend

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, -- James 1:2

BE HAPPY, says the Living Bible when (not if) your life is full of difficulties and temptations. Human wisdom rejoices when we escape trouble... but James teaches that there is a reason and purpose for our problem. God has allowed it in order to achieve something very special and eternal in our lives.

Why should a Christian have trouble? The short answer is because the Lord has purposed it to be so for our eternal benefit. That makes