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Our gracious Father loves to give good gifts to his children.
Our gracious Father loves to give good gifts to his children.
January 20, 2017
James 1:4-5
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
New International Version (NIV)
               Every Sunday morning I bake cinnamon rolls.  When last my mom stayed with us she expressed concern, “Do not burn them.”  I am not in the habit of burning them.  More likely, I will remove them too soon.  Like Ephraim in Hosea’s observation, my baking can end up half-baked.  I know they are ready by the smell.  When they fill the kitchen, not with smoke, but with smiles then they are ready. 

                Just as cinnamon rolls need to finish baking, so our perseverance in trials needs to finish its work in us.  I remember a pastor saying, “When God gives us tribulation, he expects us to tribulate.”  He was right, if you think about it.  James says you will know when perseverance is done if you are mature and complete, not lacking anything.  Remember that God is out to make something out of us.  He wants to form Christ in us. 
                Some of the most mature believers I know are not those who claim to have been exempted from pain.  They bear the scars of life on their bodies and hearts, but they have trusted God to make it well with their souls.  God not only makes us well, but also wise.  One thing we might lack is wisdom.  James says, “Just ask.”  Our gracious Father loves to give good gifts to his children.  He is not keeping score and denying us blessings.  If we ask God for what we need, he will give it to us.  When we are where God wants us to be, we will reflect the aroma of Christ to all who are around us.  
Pray with me: 
Father, please don’t ever stop working in us until you see we can be all you want us to be.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.           
I want to invite you to join me in memorizing 52 passages this year
from the 2017 set of Fighter Verses.
You can find the Fighter Verses App at the App Store on your phones
 As we study the Bible this year, let's look at each text and learn what it says about God. 
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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