James: Purpose of Trials
Excerpt… Recently, I saw that someone found one of my websites by searching on Google for the phrase, “Why does God give us trials?” First, let me say that I do not believe God causes the trials that come into our lives. Some are the result of our own actions, others result from the actions of those around us and some hardships occur to everyone in a particular location (like hurricanes). Since I believe that God is omnipotent (all powerful), I must conclude that He ALLOWS these things gto happen to us. But He does so because hardships become “object lessons.” The result of our trial should be that we learn and grow.

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James: What does God want from me?

Excerpt from an article on the “James On Trial” website… If God’s plan for each of us is to give us hope, why do we have to endure such trials, hardships and pain. And why does He allow us to get into such despair? Well, the short answer is that God’s plan is that He wants us to experience a life of righteousness (James 1:20). This is the cornerstone of what the Book of James is all about.

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Snoopy Writing

For many years, I have had a burning desire to write a book – actually two books. Until I retired, I could never seem to find that much time to dedicate to writing. It is still a difficult discipline but I have determined that I am going to write the two books that I have been harboring in my head for such a long time!

The first book is titled, “James on Trial” and it deals with the hardships that we face here on earth. I have studied this extensively and I believe that one of the best resources to find God’s plan for our life is the Book of James in the Bible. You can follow along with the development of this book online at http://james.cdntoday.com where I will be publishing the book in installments.

The second book is titled, “Eye on the Future – Hand on the Salt” and will be a study of the prophetic events that we are starting to experience – viewed through a “reality check” filter. Follow the writing of this book at http://salt.cdntoday.com where it is also being published in installments.

I welcome your comments on either or both of these books. Just visit the respective site, sign in (or register) and tell me what you think.

Ray

Updated Jul 31, 2009

The Spring (2008) issue of Leadership Journal asked the question whether God intended a continuation of the office of “apostle” up to the present time? That issue has been debated a great deal. Everyone is familiar with the twelve men that Jesus called out and designated as “Apostles” (Lu 6:13). But what about the others in the Bible who are referred to as apostles? And, what about those in the present time who call themselves apostles?

I have been interested in this issue for a long time. In 2004, while I was preparing for my first missionary trip to Africa, a word of prophecy was given. The prophet said that God had called me to be an apostle in Africa. I realize that well-meaning (& otherwise godly) prophets sometimes confuse their existing knowledge (& concerns) with the inspiration of prophecy (cf. 1Cor 13:9 & Acts 21:3-14). But this was a man that I have high regard for. So, my question about the office moved a bit higher on my list of “study this” doctrines.

While in Africa, many (most?) of the ministers with which I came in contact recognized me, both verbally & literally, as an apostle. My thinking at the time was that God had called me to do a work and that the primary issue was fulfilling the mission that I was given – not the title that someone may assign to that work. My African brothers treated me in the same way when I returned to Africa in 2006. So again, the question of present-day apostles moved up on my priority list.

Now, several years after those trips to Africa, I have been brought back to study this issue.

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