trials and an upside down world

Good morning friends,
Tonight there is no supper and scripture, choir or discussion series at the Boulevard for Thanksgiving. I pray everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving. Today's reading is from James, a short gem of a letter we don't read from often. James reminds his readers that trials, difficulties in life help us mature by strengthening our endurance. James also talks about how God's economy is different from ours. James focuses on how wealth disappears while God honors the poor. Jesus put it another way: "The first will be last and the last first." As we give thanks for what we have, let us remember those with less.

God bless,
Sam

James 1:2-12

²My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, ³because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; ⁴and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. ⁵If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. ⁶But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; ⁷for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

⁹Let the believer who is lowly boast in being raised up, ¹⁰and the rich in being brought low, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field. ¹¹For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the field; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. It is the same way with the rich; in the midst of a busy life, they will wither away. ¹²Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.