Nothing is impossible with God.  We have memorized the whole first chapter of James and I know that would be totally impossible for me if God wasn’t helping.  I’m not good at memorizing things…..but scripture is different.  God makes it possible.

So with hearts filled with gratitude to God for helping us carve these words right into our hearts and minds, we lift these words to you, dear Father:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without fault, and it will be given to him.  But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea blown and tossed by the wind.  That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position while the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, for he will pass away like the wild flower.  The sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the plant; the blossoms fall and its beauty is destroyed.  In the same way, a rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because, when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me’ for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.  But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters, every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows.  He chose to give us birth through the word of truth that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this; everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word that is planted in you, which can save you.

Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word and does not do what it says is a like a man who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that brings freedom and continues to do this, not forgetting what he heard, but doing it – that man will be blessed in what he does.

If anyone considers himself to be religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.  Religion that God the father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after the orphans and widows in their distress and to keep from being polluted by the world.

One of the ways we keep ourselves from being polluted by the world is memorizing scripture.  God’s truth sinks into our brain, changing our thoughts which changes our attitude which changes our actions.

Thanks you, dear Father.