Mature and Complete

October 7, 2019

DAILY READINGS

Psalm 137
Lamentations 1:16-22
James 1:2-11
This weekend’s scripture: Proverbs 29:17

FIELD NOTES

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.

Beginning in the fifth grade my parents would give me a dollar for every verse of the Bible I memorized; James 1:2-4 were some of the first verses I memorized.  The $3 I’m sure went to comics or baseball cards, but the truth of these verses have sustained me for over 30 years now.

At the hint of trouble, they sneak out as a mantra: may this lead to joy!  In the midst of trouble, they rumble out as a prayer from some deep place within me: how long must I endure?  Sometimes even during good times, they show up unannounced as a reminder that there is still work that needs to be done in my life: so that you may lack nothing.

QUESTION FOR THE FIELD

• How do the themes of James 1 compare and contrast with the themes of Psalm 137 and Lamentations 1?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• Does life ever feel like a test for you? 
  
• How can we as a family support each other when we need help?

PRAYER GUIDE

I pray my brother and sisters that whatever the conditions of your life may be, that you too would find life-giving truth in these verses.