HOW PEOPLE CHANGE: THE BIG PICTURE
SESSION 3
James 1.1-17

You’ve all heard the saying:
If you can’t stand the heat, ______ ______ ___ ______ __________________!

It’s a nice thought: That if the anxiety mounts… if the stress becomes too overwhelming… I should simply remove myself from my own circumstances.  That is, if the heat increases, I should just “get out of the kitchen.”  The problem is that I CAN’T do that.  Even if I close my eyes and my ears, even if I bury my face in my pillow refusing to get out of bed, my circumstances are still there.  The stressors and pressures are still there.  The heat inside (and outside) the kitchen is still there.

My heart is very honest about this.  It not only knows that the heat is there, it constantly reminds me of how I feel about it.  The Bible is honest about it as well.  It doesn’t sugarcoat a sinful disposition.  It doesn’t make light of a fallen world.  No, the Bible describes in vivid detail the heat I experience in my own life.  But more importantly, it describes my heart—it’s sin nature—and how it is prone to respond.

But open your eyes and ears!  Lift your head!  God wastes nothing!  God uses everything (and yes, even our trials) to grow us, complete and PERFECT US in His grace!  The Father of Lights and the Giver of perfect gifts is not only present, He is at work!  In the circumstances!  In the heat!  IN YOUR HEART!  And that is indeed, a cause for joy!

Worship tonight with the CG band. Bring your best friend, arch-enemy and some cash to eat.  Supper follows at Moe’s on Westover Blvd.

I love your hearts!
B-Daddy

SUPPER LOCATION: MOE'S ON WESTOVER BLVD.