The Vineyard- November 23, 2014

The Vineyard

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

 

James 1:1-21

Pray that God will speak to you through the reading of His word.

-          Thankfulness in Trials

o   We have a God who can bring something good even out of the bad things in life.  We might not be able to rejoice over our trials, but we can rejoice that God uses trials to make us better people. 

-          What defines us?

o   James says that the poor should find joy in knowing that they are rich through Christ, and that the rich should be humbled by the transitory nature of their wealth and their very lives.  Does your relationship with God define you, or does your wealth?   

-          A Good God Giving Good Gifts

o   God is not the source of evil, but he is the source of good.  Every good gift is from God.  How often do you thank God for those gifts?

Pray for the ability to be thankful in trials, even though we can’t be thankful for them. 

Pray that we will be defined by our relationship with God, rather than our wealth and possessions. 

Praise God for His goodness, and the good gifts he showers upon us.