The secret to enduring trials

Here are the notes from last Sunday Evening’s message........




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July 24, 2011 -THE SECRET TO ENDURING TRIALS-
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GRAB YOUR BIBLES James 1:5-8
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Tonight’s message....is in direct response to last weeks message:
(About the trials and troubles........we will experience in life
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And it continues to give us instructions...on how to fulfill God’s desire for us:
While we are going through life’s trials:
(The Lord wants us to........rejoice during trials!)
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LETS READ THE TEXT James 1:5-8
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The place of “Faith”......when it comes to enduring trials!
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V.5A “If any of you lack wisdom,”
-UNDERSTANDING “WHY”.....THIS IS HAPPENING TO US-
(This is a question the Lord...”wants to answer”
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But we need to be willing...to accept “His answer”!
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V.5B “let him ask of God,”
-THE LORD’S DOOR.....IS ALWAYS OPEN “TO US”-
(For us to come before His throne
And ask Him.....for help and guidance;
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But sometimes His answers come slowly:
As a test of our faith!
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V.5C “that giveth to all [men] liberally,”
-THE LORD’S DESIRE......TO GIVE US LIGHT-
(He wants us to understand what is happening
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But He want’s us to....”learn the answer”:
Rather than just....”be told the answer”!
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And learning the answer...takes time!
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V.5D “and upbraideth not;”
-HE WILL NEVER REPROVE US....FOR ASKING QUESTIONS-
(Because asking questions....demonstrates a good attitude
Because we are still wanting to know the truth:
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It’s those who stop asking questions:
Who are really in trouble!
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V.5E “and it shall be given him.”
-THE LORD HAS PROMISED......TO ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS-
(But His answers might not come immediately
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-ONE CONDITION........TO GETTING THESE ANSWERS-
(We will get them.....in “God’s time”
Not our’s!
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-THE LORD’S GUARANTEE....TO ALL HUMANITY-
(Everyone....will be told everything....in the end
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The trick is...to learn the truth...about what life is all about:
On this side of eternity!
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V.6A “But let him ask in faith,”
-THOSE WHO ARE GOING TO RECEIVE ANSWERS.........FIRST-
(Are those.......who ask in faith
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-THE LORD WANTS US.......TO KEEP ASKING HIM QUESTIONS-
The more & longer....we keep asking “Him” for answers:
The more we are demonstrating our faith:
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Because we are going to “Him”.....for answers!
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V.6B “nothing wavering.”
-WHAT TRUE FAITH........IS ALL ABOUT-
(It's all about....who we are trusting in
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(1)(Trusting that God...is Who He says He is
(2)(And that He is in “complete control”
(3)(Then not doubting his promises!)
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-THREE EXAMPLES OF....BEING BLESSED....BY NOT “WAVERING”-
(And simply trusting the Lord
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Note: 3 places this same Greek word is used.........
(1) When Peter went to Cornelius’ house.....Acts 10:20
(“Doubting nothing”/not wavering)
(2) Abraham was promised a son.....Romans 4:20
(He “staggered not”/didn’t waver)
(3) And when life’s mountains are moved.....Mark 11:23
(Not “doubting in his heart”/not wavering)
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V.6C “For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea”
-THE UNSETTLED LIFE......OF UNBELIEF-
(Never having an assurance...about anything
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You can’t be sure about anything....when your filled with unbelief!
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V.6D “driven with the wind”
-THE CONFUSED LIFE.......OF UNBELIEF-
(Going in whatever direction the wind is blowing
By following every wind of Doctrine...that comes along:
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While never getting any “real answers” in life!
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V.6E “and tossed.”
-THE END RESULT......OF UNBELIEF-
(It's long term effects
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(1) (Being up in the air about....”everything”
(2) (Being absolutely sure about.....”nothing”
(3) (Being the kind of people...who will fall for...”anything”!)
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V.7A “For let not that man think”
-THE LORD DOESN’T WANT US.....TO DECEIVE OURSELVES-
(Thinking that we are right....when we aren’t
And being surprised....when we stand before Him:
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A lot of Christians....will be ashamed at this time.......
Qt. 1John 2:28 "And now, little children....”
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V.7B “that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”
-THE LORD......WANTS US TO SEE THE TRUTH ABOUT OURSELVES-
(So that we can repent
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Before it’s.....”eternally too late”!
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V.8A “A double minded man”
-THE RESULT OF NOT BEING....GROUNDED IN THE TRUTH-
(We won’t know what to ask for
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➀Because one part of us....will want the Lord:
➁While the other part of us....will want the world!
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So we just won’t ask the Lord for anything!
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V.8B “[is] unstable in all his ways.”
-THIS WILL EFFECT......EVERY PART OF YOUR LIFE-
(Causing you to be totally unreliable
To the LORD....or anyone else:
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The Church is filled with these kinds of people!
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