May 9 | James 1:2-4, 12-18

---

DAILY READING

James 1:2-4

James 1:12-18

---

REFLECTION

Truth, Not Temptation

By Jennifer Jerrome

The Book of James is short & sweet – five chapters that hit the basics of Christian life. A good fit for today’s “quick bite” society. An AI overview states…

This book is one of the 21 epistles in the New Testament, traditionally attributed to James the Just, the brother of Jesus. It is a letter or didactic work intended for Jewish Christians outside Israel, focusing on the practical application of faith and emphasizing the importance of actions.

The beginning of Chapter 1 is titled, “Trials and Temptations.”

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (v. 2-4).

This week throughout Daily Worship we have been focusing on “Hope in Affliction.” An easy conclusion is that in life we face hardships, but through faith we find hope.

Oh, how I wish it were that simple. Or maybe it is.

Testing » Perseverance » Maturity » Crown of Life

Obviously, perseverance is important to James. It’s what leads believers to maturity. But another key takeaway is that God is not the one doing the testing/tempting.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone (v.13).

Moreover, God does not change like shifting shadows (v.17). He’s consistent and genuine. He gives us truth, not temptation.

Now there have been times I’ve cried out, “Father, why are you testing me?”

A shift in thinking might allow me to see that God is not throwing stumbling blocks in my path like some kind of spiritual obstacle course. He’s not sitting back to watch and judge how I react.

Do crappy things happen? Yes.

So, what do we do when life gets messy? We grab on to what’s close. For believers, hopefully that’s faith, but in all honesty, there are many times I’ve grabbed on to other things. Do they bring me comfort? Maybe temporarily, but they slip through my fingers like sand. Sometimes all I can do is reach out for someone nearby who has faith enough for the both of us until I get my footing.

PRAYER

Thank you to all those fellow believers out there who’ve carried me to Jesus when I struggled to “let perseverance finish its work.” May we remind each other daily that “every good and perfect gift is from above” (v. 16). And thank you Father for giving us the wisdom to recognize deceit. Your truth is what keeps us going. Amen 

Find additional "Dying to Live" study materials designed for small groups or individual use here.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JENNIFER JERROME

I have known I was a child of God from the beginning. I was baptized and raised in the Catholic church and began attending UALC about 18 years ago when my husband I were searching for a place to worship and serve as a family. UALC has helped shape our faith over the years. We have been through several seasons of life and the constant has been our faith and family.

---

MAY 8 | MATTHEW 5:2-11

---

DAILY READING

Matthew 5:2-11

---

REFLECTION

Pie in the Sky? Or Miracle

by Judy Webb

We live in a world full of violence and corruption; a world where might makes right; meaning that those who hold the power can do what they want because no one can stop them. As Christians we know there is a better way, a better path to a brighter and more perfect world; a world where love is the final answer. Do we believe it is attainable, or do we believe it will take a miracle?

We know that our world is upside down. It is obvious to us that good is often viewed as bad, and truth is seen as a lie. This text from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is an ethical discourse, meant to point out our flaws, and to reveal how our values are way off base. It is time to turn the ship around.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit (v.3), Blessed are those who mourn (v.4), Blessed are the meek (v.5), Blessed are those who hunger (v.6), Blessed are the merciful (v.7), Blessed are the pure in heart (v.8), Blessed are the peacemakers (v.9), Blessed are those who are persecuted (v.10)” Matthew 5:3-10

The first few verses here set forth the character of Kingdom men and women. One commentary describes these Beatitudes as antibiotics from God's pharmacy that can aid life transformation.

This message is primarily for those already committed to following Christ or learning from Him. When originally delivered, Jesus was addressing his disciples, who have already made a commitment to Jesus as Messiah. The crowd, though curious, were not yet sold out for Jesus, but seeds were planted.

The eight points Jesus made are still valid for us today. When we embrace the message and turn to this right-side-up way of living, we Christians will be a positive influence in the world. When we are motivated by love rather than personal gain, we will have obtained utopia. Heaven is real and the Sermon on the Mount is a stepping stone into paradise.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for Jesus, for His life which gives me eternal life. As these verses from the Eight Beatitudes promise, we are blessed in so many ways, for so many reasons. Amen.

Find additional "Dying to Live" study materials designed for small groups or individual use here.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 17 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.

---

May 7 | Colossians 1:24-2:4

---

DAILY READING

Colossians 1:24-29, 2:1-4

---

REFLECTION

Rejoicing in... Suffering?

By Katie Borden

What stirs within you when you read Paul’s words about rejoicing in suffering? 

Be honest. 

Do you read it and say “of course, that’s the Christian thing to do” and move on without much thought? (Really–be honest, it’s okay.)

Do you read it and find a sense of deep peace in the knowledge of Christ’s sufferings?

Do you read it and have a little bit of an internal cringe at the thought of rejoicing in suffering? (Since we’re being honest…there are still times that I do.)

In our modern Western world, we don’t know what to do with suffering. Not really.

We know that the Bible talks about rejoicing in suffering, and yet we can’t stand the thought of looking around at all the oppression, injustice, and abuse in our world and claiming that it’s a good thing. (And, to be clear, we shouldn’t. These things grieve God’s heart.) We can’t look at the internal turmoil of our hearts and souls and claim that that is a good thing, either.

So what is Paul talking about when he says that he rejoices in what he is suffering (1:24)? 

Let’s back up a couple of weeks to Resurrection Sunday. 

As we continue to celebrate the Easter season, we rejoice in the resurrection of Christ. We rejoice that he defeated death, that he lives, and that he reigns over this world. He will one day restore all wholeness and goodness to his beloved creation–which includes you and me. In this we rejoice!

And.

There cannot be a resurrection from the dead without… a death. Jesus did not defeat death by avoiding confrontation with death. Jesus, in his earthly body, for the sake of the creation he loves, overwhelmed the power of death by... dying. And then being raised to life. We rejoice in his resurrection, and we also know that his death is part of why we get to rejoice in the resurrection. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus lived for the sake of others, and then died for the sake of others, and then was raised to life for the sake of others. 

Now that’s love. Jesus’ suffering is a suffering born of a deep and powerful love.

This Spirit-empowered love, which has more power and authority than any other power in the universe, is what Paul is pointing to both in himself and in us (2:2). By the work of the Holy Spirit in us, we will lovingly labor for the good of those around us. Sometimes we will suffer for them and for the sake of the gospel. This is part of our “dying and rising” with Christ. In this, we know that Jesus is with us–or, perhaps more accurately, we are with Jesus. We know that we are being made more like Jesus, and that eventually Jesus’ glory will fully reign in us and in the world. Jesus has already won. The end of the story is already written, and in the end, the whole universe will be rightly ordered to this reality.

The knowledge of this truth can give us hope and endurance–and yes, even joy–in suffering.

PRAYER

God, may your self-sacrificial love reign in us–in me–today. Make me more like you, Jesus. Remind me, even in the face of suffering, that your love is greater than this. Holy Spirit, empower me to labor for a love-shaped world, knowing that I am always held by your all-powerful, all-loving hand. Amen.

Find additional "Dying to Live" study materials designed for small groups or individual use here.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KATIE BORDEN

I’m a lifelong member of UALC and have had the privilege of serving our community in both volunteer and staff roles over the years. I love learning, OSU football, good conversations, chocolate croissants, laughter, and sharing about the good news of Jesus in whatever capacity I can.

---