IT!

James 1:1-18

INTRODUCTION: THE STORY OF “IT!” “it” may come to pass or “It” may stay for weeks or months; perhaps even for years. But our Lord has not forgotten. Christ has sent another Comforter to be with us forever. Jesus, on His last day on earth gave us three words to encourage each of us: John 19:28-30. What is “IT” in your life? That thing in your life you pray for all the time for God to take “IT” away but He does not? Today, from the Scriptures we will learn how to make something beautiful from “IT”. Heat and pressure is the way all precious metals as well as most gem stones are formed: 1 Peter 1:3-9. Today we will speak of those long irritants in our lives that we though god’s will must live with hour after long hour. Day after day, week after week. Sometimes until death we bear some of these trials.

I. WHEN GOD ALLOWS AN IRRITATION IN MY LIFE I MUST RESPOND BY COVERING IT WITH A LAYER OF MY OWN SUBMISSION TO GOD!

Regardless of what “IT” is in your life we will learn not only how to deal with “IT” but also we will learn how to turn “IT” into a beautiful gem for Christ glory and your growth in Christ. We will look at a gem stone that is made by a living organism with low pressure and low heat; we will look at the oyster and the pearl. When an irritant enters the oyster, it has no hands or feet to remove it so it begins to secret a milky substance called “mother -of-pearl” until that irritant is transformed into a beautiful pearl. Revelation 21:15-21. Lord, I don’t understand this. I don’t like “IT”. But you Lord, through your permissive will have allowed “IT” to touch my life. I cannot run away from “IT!” 1 Peter 5:6-11.

II. I MUST COAT “IT” WITH THANKSGIVING TO GOD!

We all have a choice with our irritants. They can fester and become ugly if they are not properly coated. They could become a beautiful pearl when we coat them with God’s “mother- of-pearl.” We must learn to thank God for “IT” not because we like “IT” but because our God has told us that “IT” is for our good. Romans 8:28-30. Our lives can be ugly or beautiful and it often depends upon how we respond to the irritations of our lives. God wants us to learn to thank Him for “IT” not just when “IT” is over but right during “IT”. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-23.

III. I MUST COAT “IT” WITH PRAISE!

We must go beyond just thanks all the way to praise for “IT!” Lord, I want to escape “IT’ but You want to make my life beautiful. I want to escape, but you want to increase my faith. The Lord Jesus Christ is our example here during His “IT”. Mark 14:32-42. Our Lord Jesus had His “IT!” He wanted it to go away, but He was willing to submit His will to His Father’s will. The apostle Paul also wanted to escape his “IT” but he submitted to God and thanked and praised God for his “IT!” 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. Our Lord delights in taking irritations and turning them into beautiful pearls for His glory and our good.