Episode 91

Today’s episode is centered on one of those if/then passages in the Bible. In other words, our Bible reading contains a conditional promise. According to James 1:12, God promises untold blessings to those of us who persevere under trial. If we choose to hang on, press through, and keep believing God, then we will receive a victor’s crown. I memorized this conditional promise many years ago, having learned it from an older edition of the NIV. “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.” The if/then conditional promise is this: If we withstand the test, then we will receive the crown of life. God always keeps his promises. Always. You and I can know for certain that God will give us victory if we don’t shrink back, if we don’t fall away, if we hang on through life’s difficulties. After you have stood the test, you will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. As a lover of God, you will continue to experience the untold blessings of God—even as you experience excruciating hardship. So, stand firm and stay faithful. God sees you and is more than able to strengthen you. This week's scripture: James 1:12 Discover the healing power of Psalm 139 in my book, Longing to Belong: Discovering the Joy of Acceptance. Available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart.com, Booksamillion.com and Christianbook.com. Also available as an audiobook from Audible, and as a digital download to your Kindle or from the Apple store for your iBooks app. Take the 10-day journey with me and let Scripture heal your heart. Look for the Longing to Belong Reading Plan on your mobile device via the YouVersion Bible app.