MESSAGE NOTES

"God is often doing His DEEPEST WORK during our hardest seasons.

1. TRUST GOD THROUGH TRIALS

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. - James 1:2-4 ESV

Following Jesus doesn't EXEMPT you from trouble.

Faith isn't tested to expose weakness. It's tested to PRODUCE MATURITY

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV

God isn't trying to destroy your faith. HE’S DEVELOPING IT.

2. RECEIVE GOD'S WORD

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. - James 1:21 ESV

The Bible isn't information. It's TRANSFORMATION.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. - James 1:22 ESV

There are two kinds of Christians: Those who know Scripture & Those who live Scripture. GOD IS AFTER BOTH.

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. - James 1:23-24 ESV

God didn't give you His Word to admire. HE GAVE IT TO APPLY.

3. REFLECT GOD'S CHARACTER

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. - James 1:27 ESV

/// Three Marks of Someone Who Loves God

1> CONTROL Your Tongue
How you speak reveals your heart.

2> CARE For People
Widows. Orphans. The forgotten. The overlooked.

People matter because they MATTER TO GOD.

3> STAY Different
"...keep oneself unstained from the world."

We're called to INFLUENCE culture, not imitate it.

Loving God isn't measured by what happens in church. It's REVEALED by how you live outside of it.

When you love God: trust Him in trials. hunger for His Word. Begin looking more like Jesus. Loving God changes how you respond to pressure, how you receive His truth, and how you reflect His character.

You can't REFLECT a God you don't PURSUE.

TAKEAWAY: This week ask yourself three questions: Am I trusting God? Am I receiving God's Word? Does my life reflect Jesus?