Today
James One
Profiting from Trials
“2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the LORD; 8 he a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Role Call
Every day, roll calls are taken in schools to ensure students are in attendance. If a student is marked present in one class but not in the next, teachers are alarmed and call the front office to ensure the student is in a safe situation, such as parents picking her up early or being in the nurse’s office.
Jesus told Thomas, “Because you have seen Me, you believe, but blessed are those who have not seen and believed.” As students, if we enter the heavenly gates with hearts filled with thanksgiving and seek our Teacher in the heavenly classroom, He sees that we are present and hears and answers our prayers. Also, as students head out to the playground to play, we enter the playground called Life. May the LORD OF HOST surround us with His Heavenly hosts, protect us from the devil’s spiritual bullies, and cover us with His feathers. May He send His warring angels to guard and fight for us and empower our loved ones and us by His Holy Spirit as a mother dresses her children and packs their daily meals. May we be dressed with the armor of God and filled with the Fruit of His Spirit. Let us ask our Teacher, Jesus Christ, to equip us with everything we need to accomplish His work in and through us, to God be the praise and glory.
Heavenly Teacher, I come into Your heavenly classroom with a heart filled with thanksgiving, praise, and a teachable spirit. Thank You, Father, for surrounding us and our loved ones with the spirit of Wisdom, Truth, Grace, Courage, Knowledge, Prudence, Diligence, Discernment, Faith, Patience, Love, and Joy. May they surround us as our companions. Forgive me, LORD, for doubting Your Presence with me; heal me of my unbelief, and open the eyes of my heart; give me eyes to see and ears to hear Your still small voice throughout this day, called Today. In the Name of Jesus, I break the yoke of double-mindedness and declare that Patience will complete her perfect work in me and my loved ones by the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us. I declare in the Name of Jesus that no physical, spiritual, mental, or emotional weapons formed against us and our loved ones shall prosper but returned to sender, marked as address unknown, and every tongue that rises against us in judgment shall be nullified. By the authority given to me by Jesus Christ, I return the curses against those who have cursed me and my loved ones. Let them be put to shame, and give them the gift of repentance, for it is not Your will that anyone should perish, but be saved through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Remind us that we, too, did the same things, and by the grace of God, we were saved. God’s timing is perfect, and our patience in His plan is a testament to our faith. To God be the glory always, amen.