James 1:2-4

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

First of all, many people have written and taught on being joyful in the midst of trials. Many stop on the thought of being joyful, that is where change really begins not ends. The whole purpose of being joyful is to produce a steadfastness in us. We are to be joyful because the trial will make us stronger. We are to be joyful because the trial will produce a testing of our faith (can I get an Amen to that). From the testing of our faith our patience is tried. This is the real struggle of life. Many of us are not patient. I know that I am not. We want everything yesterday and we have no time to wait. So when God puts a trial in our paths that tests our patience we sometimes freak out. But it is in this time of patience that our character is built and our walk with the Lord is strengthened.

James give a warning in this passage of scripture. He state that we are to let our patience have it’s time. He calls is “perfect work” (perfect here means “having reached the end”). Once this happens the Word says that we will be perfect and complete. Now no one is perfect in the world’s sense, but it does mean that we can endure to the end and be made whole in Him. It also means that we will not lack anything as long as our trust is in Him who makes us complete.

We are not perfect, but He is, and when we put our trust in Him, He will see to it that we reach the end.

This morning I was doing some cleaning and I popped in a Hillsong DVD (Mighty to Save) to listen as I cleaned. My kids were helping me and I knew that they liked the songs. But as I was cleaning I noticed that things were not getting done as quickly as they were before the music started. I then saw this:

Before I was able to get on them about not doing what they were told to do, the Lord spoke to me and popped the scripture of David dancing before the Lord (2 Sam 6). I saw that my kids did not care what they sounded like or if they were even playing correctly, but they were worshiping the Lord.

I am a huge fan of worship music (even though I can not play or sing). I believe that worshiping the Lord is a privilege and a honor to do. My kids this morning reminded me that no matter what we should always take time to worship Him.

Today was my first day of my breakfast with Jesus time. You can read the post about this here. As I was sitting in a little coffee shop close to my house pondering on how all of this was going to work, I had a mental picture of having a cup of coffee with Jesus. As I began the morning I prayed that He would open my heart to a new vision of His word. I prayed that as I was reading His word it would be like having a conversation over the cup of coffee that was sitting in front of me. Here is what I got today.

Proverbs 22:1,4

1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

4 Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.

Character reveals who we are. From that character or reputation is based. We can have a character that provokes a good reputation, or just the opposite. Proverbs 22:1 says that having a good name is better the any wealth. This does not mean the type of name that your parents gave you when you were born, but rather the thoughts that come to mind in people when they here your name spoken.

You know as well as I do that when certain names are spoken around you there is a certain feeling you get. Whether it is a feeling of joy, sorrow, or anger there is an emotion tied to names.

If we are to portray Christ to people, then our name (reputation) must be one that is in good standing. Proverbs 22:4 goes on to say that with humility and fear of the Lord our wealth (or Godly riches) are established. Our character produces humility or reveals the opposite. The question we must ask ourselves is, “what seed is my character sowing in the lives of others”?

I had an epiphany this morning. It came to me as I groaned and crawled out of bed to get ready to go to work. You see I am not a morning person. I never have been. I am not like all of you bubbly morning people that jump right out of bed before the alarm goes off and go about your day. In fact, I am the complete opposite. I really enjoy my sleep and enjoy all that I can get. So I usually hit the snooze button 5-6 times before I get up. This morning was different. I did not hit the snooze several times, but I also did not jump out of bed (I was really warm and it was really cold in the room). Anyway, I believe that the Holy Spirit was speaking to me and asked me this question; “why don’t you spend the first part of you day with me”? Good question. I really did not have a valid reason other than I don’t like mornings.

Over the last several weeks I have witnessed my wife set the alarm for 30 minutes earlier than her already crack of dawn time and she takes this time to enjoy fellowship with God. She has her cup of coffee and spends some time in the word to start her day. As I thought on this the thought came to me that I am always ready to go if I have a meeting or somewhere to be no matter the time. Why am I neglecting time with God?

So here is the epiphany. Why not have daily breakfasts with God? This would be something that I would have to get up to do and be ready. This would have to be at some coffee shop or restaurant just to make it real for me.

So for all of you not-so-morning people, this may give you some motivation to set an appointment with God. I think that my day will thank me for it as well as yours.

Sometimes we look ahead on the road that God has us on and we see something that catches our attention. Many times that thing tends to distract us. Often it is not a bad thing, but we take the exit and realize that there is no immediate on ramp back to the road God has us on. With no on ramp, we are forced to take a long detour to get back. When we take a way that is not a part of His plan, it often leads to a longer delay in our ultimate destination.

In my journey through the church plant process, I have had many opportunities to detour. Many of these things seem like a road that He has planned for us. By God’s grace we did not take the roads. Looking back, I can see that now. But now knowing that, I must be careful to keep focused on His destination and let Him drive. He knows where we are going and how to get there.

Now that the holidays are over, and for us the birthday season, we are now back to reality. A new year and a fresh new outlook on the new year. Our plan for the new year is to get geared up for what God has for us this year. I have been reading Visioneering by Andy Stanley and this book is really showing me some good things. The process of waiting on God is not a bad thing. I tend to get anxious and rush into things without seeking God’s timing. So as I sit on a new year I am determined to pursue patience and wait to hear God’s timing.

Currently we are finishing up the preliminary work on the Church Planters Intensive booklet and awaiting to hear when there will be a Foursquare Boot Camp for Church Planters. That is our next step. We will keep you all posted.