GrowthStarts

Digging Deeper ... Bring It: Chin Up ... Tuesday

Read James 5:10-11 (NIV):

Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. [11] As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Whose example should we follow, and why?

What did the prophets gain from their suffering and perseverance?

Read Job 42:12-17 (NIV):

The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. [13] And he also had seven sons and three daughters. [14] The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. [15] Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job's daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.

[16] After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. [17] And so he died, old and full of years.

How did God extend His compassion and mercy to Job?

Read James 1:2-4 (NIV):

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, [3] because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. [4] Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

What develops our perseverance?

What is the result?

Read Colossians 1:10-12 (NIV):

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, [11] being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully [12] giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

What role does endurance and patience play in living a life worthy of the Lord?

Have you ever persevered in spite of a difficult circumstance? What were the rewards for your perseverance?

How can you use your experience to show God’s compassion and mercy to others?

Digging Deeper is a series of daily devotions based on Sunday's sermon at NorthStar. Click HERE to listen to the message "Chin Up" or other messages.

Digging Deeper ... Bring It: Chin Up ... Monday

James concludes his letter talking about perseverance, integrity, prayer, and restoration.

Read James 5:7-9 (NIV):

Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. [8] You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. [9] Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

How does the farmer “wait” for the harvest? (Does he sit back and do nothing during the summer?)

How does the farmer waiting for the harvest relate to us waiting for the Lord’s return? Can you think of similar examples?

The phrase “Be patient” literally means to be long-tempered. It means to think long, to focus on the final lap on the race of life.

What are some ways in which you can think about eternal implications in everything you do?

How does thinking long-term give us a healthier view of life, especially in the trying times?

Grumbling against and blaming others is so much easier than owning our share of the responsibility. And it’s human nature. See Genesis 3:11-13, where Adam blames Eve and Eve blames the serpent. But grumbling and blaming can be so destructive and sinful.

Why does James say we should not grumble?

How can the promise of Christ’s return help me to face my daily struggles?

How can the promise of His return also enable me to help others who are struggling?

Digging Deeper is a series of daily devotions based on Sunday's sermon at NorthStar. Click HERE to listen to the message "Chin Up" or other messages.