Dearly Beloved, I never seem to stop marveling at the simplicity and yet accurate application to life that is found in the Gospel. I began a study on integrity with the School of ministry students here and the thoughts from the book of James seem to stay with me as it seems to be a book that exposes attitudes and motives etc Within the first 8 verses a lot of ground has been covered. Our understanding of 1. Trials; Patience; Faith/prayer; then double mindedness all will affect our depth of appreciation for what the apostle wrote in the book.

As an introduction I will like to put it on record that the various moves of God in the past were designed to equip us with the wisdom of God to ensure our victory and the fulfillment of His purposes on the earth. No move should be taken in isolation. The faith movement as well as the prophetic and Apostolic moves of God. They all should complement one another.

What are trials? They things that test you and test your faith living. Faith was not designed by God only to get material things. The principle is true for material things though but thinking of it only in those terms do not do justice to our appreciation and understanding of Faith. Faith and Trust are intertwined together. Our faith is like a tree and trust is its fruit. The goal of faith is knowing, pleasing and trusting God. God receives Glory when through our faith in Him we believe, act on His word and put our personal life in His hands in absolute confidence in His love and ability to sort us out for good and our lifestyle reflects this deep assurance. The just shall live by faith; faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God; Great faith cometh by understanding authority and submission and prompt /total obedience is the atmosphere of faith. It is anything that challenges this life of faith that is called a trial. There are 3 avenues for trials that come readily to my mind,

1. Your own short comings. When you say and do things that you know are not right ,your need to repent repeatedly can be trying at times. The answer is to repent anyway.

2. Trials come through relationships. Betrayals, disappointments and faults generally.

3. Your willingness to obey God can also be trying when there is opposition and misunderstanding. Also when circumstances are not favourable and you are going to obey anyway. Forgiving people sometimes may not be convenient but you will release those that offend you in love.

James says count it all joy when your faith is tried. Joy is the secret to spiritual victories. When the devil can't steal your joy he cant keep your goods. With joy you will draw from the wells of salvation. The joy of the Lord is your strength and joy is a fruit of the spirit that you choose to walk in. Rejoice is to release joy.

Patience like other parts of the fruit of the spirit is actually developed in the midst of trials when you allow the atmosphere conducive for growth to prevail. Joy and knowing how things works give you rest. Joy is the atmosphere and patience means endurance and being consistently constant. When patience has run its full course, you will be entire wanting nothing.

Humility is the foundation for grace and hence answer to prayers. We ask in faith for that which we know has been provided through the finished work of Calvary. In prayer we ask and in faith we believe we receive. God does hold back what is already provided. Doubt steals what belongs to you. We need to deal with our hearts and feed our inner man with truth not religious jargon. Integrity comes to play when we want to be real in our hearts. Faith has to do with our hearts being in connection to our mouth and with truth. Integrity is when we are true in our hearts and live out the reality of truth in our lives. Double mindedness is a lack of integrity We receive nothing because we are doubting and hence double minded. Christ has been made unto us Wisdom from God... pray receive and act on the wisdom that is now flowing. You will know how to handle the trial with the wisdom of God and will you be victorious. You will be more matured and more sensitive to God. Welcome to CHRISLIKENESS.

Rev. Kola Ewuosho