one step: James 1.2

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

James 1:2-3

Life is so hard sometimes. When the trials of life come, we can find ourselves without words. Only pain, anger, or mind-numbing disbelief serve as companions. James tells us to “count it all joy.” How is this possible?

First, we must understand what James is and is not saying by looking at the original Greek. This verse is easy to read as “consider everything joy.” This is not correct. He is not inviting us to be happy all of the time.* In this verse, “all” describes “joy” not “it.” Meaning, James instructs us to to consider “it” all-joy… or said another way, “pure joy.”* The joy he speaks of is not happiness, but it is contentment in every circumstance.* It is an unwavering thankful trust in God that cannot be shaken.*

Second, we must know that God is not asking us to enjoy trials. Jesus did not enjoy the cross. The disciples did not enjoy the persecution that they endured. No, God is inviting us to look ahead, through the pain, and all the way to the promise. What is the promise? The promise is that the pain has a purpose. The pain moves us toward endurance.*

Endurance is seen as a virtue not as a passive waiting in weakness, but a lengthy faith walk that requires strength.* This is what trials birth in our lives. This endurance is a joy to receive.

Life is hard. James invites us to look past the pain and into the fruit of it. From looking ahead to the promised fruit, we can have joy. We do not deny our circumstances, but we look through them. The hallmark of genuine faith is to be able to look ahead to the promise without denying the pain of the present trial.* God isn’t into denying the pain of today for religious pseudo-happiness. He is into helping us to get through it. God is into using it for a purpose.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to endure - keep going - don’t quit. Perhaps today God wants you to look through the pain of your trial to the joy of the gift of endurance. Maybe today God wants you to allow yourself to genuinely grieve the reality of the difficulty that you are in.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Blomberg, C. L., & Kamell, M. J. (2008). James (Vol. 16, pp. 48–49). Zondervan.
McCartney, D. G. (2009). James (pp. 84–87). Baker Academic.
Stulac, G. M. (1993). James (Jas 1:2–4). IVP Academic.
Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, p. 212–213). Zondervan.
Nystrom, D. P. (1997). James (pp. 45–48). Zondervan Publishing House.

one step: James 1.1

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ...

James 1:1a

Some scholars suggest that the word in the Greek for “servant” in James 1:1 is better translated slave.* Why would James refer to himself as a slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ?

Slaves in ancient Rome were much different than what we understand a slave to be from the painful history of this country.* During the time of Jesus, slaves in the Roman empire fell into four main categories:

1. Slavery in the mines: often used as punishment for criminals. Life expectancy was low.*

2. Rural slavery: work conditions were terrible. Many times people enslaved in this way worked while chained in groups. Family life was controlled by the slave owner. Food could be taken away or brought to a minimum if a slave was sick.*

3. Urban household slave: could be a chosen way of life. It usually lasted several years with the expectation of eventual freedom. Household slaves could expect food, shelter, and training in a new skill.*

4. Imperial slavery: this slavery placed the slave in the home of the emperor. Some of these positions held a lot of power and wealth, second only to the emperor.*

Can you guess which type the New Testament most often refers? The answer is 3. Urban Household slave.

To be a slave to Christ is to commit oneself to Christ completely, committing unconditional allegiance to Him.* This must be true for us as followers of Jesus no matter how hard life or whatever suffering comes our way.*

We see this quality in Moses, David, and Isaiah, who all hold the title “servant of God.”*

What does your commitment to Christ look like today? Are you completely committed to Him? Did you know that living as His slave means He provides for all that you need and teaches you in His ways?

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to commit yourself to Him as a servant. Perhaps today God would ask you to see that the commitment He asks from you is reflective of the commitment that He first gave to you. Maybe today God wants you to humble yourself before Him in service.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Blomberg, C. L., & Kamell, M. J. (2008). James (Vol. 16, p. 47). Zondervan.
Stulac, G. M. (1993). James (Jas 1:1). IVP Academic.
Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, p. 210). Zondervan.
Nystrom, D. P. (1997). James (pp. 34–36). Zondervan Publishing House.

one step: Hebrews 13.12

Grace be with all of you.

Hebrews 13:25

Life is full of change. Sometimes we choose change; sometimes others force change upon us. We refer to the kind of change that involves new seasons and new environments as “transition.” Transition is not fun, and the enemy often uses the uncertainty of the future to capitalize on our innermost fears. Transitioning from what is to what will be promises an intimate meeting with the unfamiliar, and the unfamiliar often feels like a threat.* The perceived threat of the unfamiliar causes many of us to resist the change, no matter how necessary that change may be.* For some of us, our resistance to change may cause us to cling to those things that were or to the ways things were once done.

Others enjoy the unknown, see it as an adventure, and embrace change just because it’s new. Like early adopters of new technology, some people enjoy the “next season” so much, they dive in without proper perspective.

God invites us through the book of Hebrews to another approach: rather than cling to the past, or embrace the future, God invites us to plant ourselves in the things that cannot change and never do.*

God is always doing something new, and His Holy Spirit carries forward the purposes of God.* The book of Hebrews demonstrates the perfect orchestration between the fresh wind of the Spirit and those things that never change.* This is Kingdom living.

The writer ends his work with these brief but to the point words: “grace be with all of you.”

The letter of Hebrews was written when the Roman Empire was changing as was Judaism.* Believers were looking for something to hold onto. What are you looking to hold onto?

The words of George Guthrie:

I pray that you will heed “the word of exhortation” that is Hebrews. May you grasp fully the message of the exalted Christ, who has died for our sins and lovingly embraces us in the new covenant. May you consider him, fixing your eyes on the author and perfecter of our faith. May you heed the warnings and exult in the promises of this book, following the good examples such as Abraham and Moses and avoiding the errors of the bad. May you receive an inheritance with the saints in the heavenly Jerusalem as we worship with the angels “in joyful assembly.”

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to take hold of those things that never change. Perhaps today God wants you to let go of the past, surrender your future, and rest in Him.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Stedman, R. C. (1992). Hebrews (Heb 13:22–25). IVP Academic.
Grindheim, S. (2023). The Letter to the Hebrews (D. A. Carson, Ed.; pp. 707). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
France, R. T. (2006). Hebrews. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, pp. 195). Zondervan.
Guthrie, G. (1998). Hebrews (p. 452). Zondervan Publishing House.

one step: Hebrews 13.11

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21

In the world of the living, only those things that are dead or dying do not grow. As those who are alive in Christ, the expectation is that we would grow spiritually. In the physical, we can grow in size and weight, and there are known factors that help with this growth (foods, rest, exercise, etc). What factors help with spiritual growth?

The author of Hebrews gives us the factors that help with spiritual growth as a summation of the entirety of his work:*

• the God of peace*

• the blood of the eternal covenant*

• the resurrection of Jesus*

• His Shepherd care for his sheep*

• the indwelling life of God himself*

• the equipping of the Spirit*

• the aim to please God*

• the eternal glory and lordship of Jesus*

Conspicuously missing from this list… you. Sure, your will must be engaged, but your willful engagement in the process of God does not involve “making transformation happen.” The agent of original creation is the same transformational agent God uses for making you and me a new creation as God’s people: Christ Jesus (Hebrews 1:2).*

As the author of Hebrews closes his letter, he emphasizes the heart of God for His people: live out the will of God in light of the work of Christ.* If we can do this simple thing, we will see God make good in us what was previously imperfect.* We will see growth.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to focus on one factor listed above that enables spiritual growth, and allow Him to do the work. Perhaps God wants you to surrender once again to the process of His transformation, setting aside your efforts of self-change. Maybe today God wants you to allow Him to highlight something that He wants to do to bring to good that which is imperfect in you.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Stedman, R. C. (1992). Hebrews (Heb 13:7–19). IVP Academic.
Grindheim, S. (2023). The Letter to the Hebrews (D. A. Carson, Ed.; pp. 693–696). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
France, R. T. (2006). Hebrews. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, pp. 191–192). Zondervan.
Guthrie, G. (1998). Hebrews (p. 441–442). Zondervan Publishing House.

one step: Hebrews 13.10

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.

Hebrews 13:17-18

These words of the author of Hebrews make many of us cringe. Past hurts from leadership (coaches, teachers, bosses, church leaders, spouses, etc.) coupled with a growing distrust of organizations, the promises that they make, and the people who lead them make submission to leadership an uncomfortable subject in the very least.

The first thing we must understand about this passage is that this passage, like the others in the Bible, are God’s words. We must heed them. The second thing that we must understand is what God is trying to say through these words.

Because of experiences with abuses of power, we might read the words of Hebrews 13:17-18 and hear, “do whatever leadership tell you to do no matter the request.” This is not the case.

The foundation for urging believers to heed the instructions of leadership is the understanding that this leadership is keenly aware of their accountability to the Lord in regard to how they care for people.* This care for people is not just physical (such as caring for hunger, thirst, housing, and ensuring that they are regularly present in a building for church gatherings). It’s a care of the inmost being of a person.* It refers to their spiritual care.*

The care of these leaders must reflect the Gospel, as the Gospel of Jesus Christ serves as the source of their authority.* Without alignment to Christ and His Gospel, their authority ends. These leaders, according to the Greek language used, must keep watch as someone who watches all night, sacrificing their sleep for the best interests of those under their care.* It’s the same intentful watching that Jesus commands us to use in looking out for His return (Mark 13:33).* This is a weighty responsibility of care for the spirit; and it comes with accountability in heaven.

This is the leadership that God calls for, and it sometimes feels rare. Knowing that leadership is sometimes hard to follow, God uses language in the Greek that indicates a choice.* It’s a choice to trust leadership that, as used in other New Testament letters, implies a confidence in leadership that is based in one’s faith in God.*

This leadership, if self-aware and submitted to God, must rely on the prayers of the people that they lead. As posture of the writer of Hebrews demonstrates in his words, “pray for us,” leadership must know that they are not perfect and need support. Those being lead must understand this as well.

Submission to leadership has many benefits, including protection from being lead astray by false teachings.* Leadership and the opportunity to submit to it are a gift from God.

Our part is two fold: 1) don’t make it hard on leaders but pray for them,* and 2) realize that we are all leaders accountable to God.

We can put our confidence in Godly leadership when we trust God to keep them accountable. Trust issues with leadership are often tied to trust issues with God. The trust that God invites us to involves total reliance on Him rather than a blind following of imperfect people. Can we trust God?

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to allow Him to heal your heart from past leadership abuses. Perhaps today God wants you to help you see leaders as they are: humans in need of prayer. Maybe today God wants you to allow Him to examine your heart in your place of leadership (work, family, church, etc).

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Stedman, R. C. (1992). Hebrews (Heb 13:7–19). IVP Academic.
Grindheim, S. (2023). The Letter to the Hebrews (D. A. Carson, Ed.; pp. 693–696). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
France, R. T. (2006). Hebrews. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, pp. 191–192). Zondervan.
Guthrie, G. (1998). Hebrews (p. 441–442). Zondervan Publishing House.