Let's begin our study concerning affliction in the Book of James.

James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receive the early and latter rain.

Be patient and wait for the True Messiah to return at the second advent. Spiritually, the early and latter rains are knowledge of our Father's Word. The early rain causes a seed to germinate and sprout into a plant. The latter rain allows the plant to mature and produce fruit.

James 5:8 Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

James 5:9 Murmur not, brethren, one against another, that ye be not judged: behold, the judge standeth before the doors.

Don't murmur against your brothers and sisters. Satan already has you in his pocket, if you have tendencies to murmur. There is only One Judge. He is our Father.

James 5:10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the LORD, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

James 5:11. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the LORD; that the LORD is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

In the Hebrew language Job means "persecuted". Job did suffer affliction; however, in the end he received double that which he had before. Make note of the word "endure" in this last verse. Endurance is how we overcome affliction.

James 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea by yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

Swear. Do not use heaven or earth or anything else to swear by. If you mean yes, say yes. If you mean no, say no. You will be guilty for saying anything more. Learn the Word of God and, absorb the latter rain which will allow you to endure the affliction.

James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms. Don't pray for the affliction to be removed. Satan wil1 not be removed until the end of the millennium. Pray for the strength to endure affliction. Armed with the strength of God's promises and knowledge of His plan you will do just fine. There is nothing to fear. You will endure and conquer the affliction.

Turn to James 4:7 with me.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

In the name of Jesus Christ the devil has no choice but to flee from you. You have power over Satan.

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

A double minded Christian is one that just occupies a place in the pews every Sunday.

Let a little affliction come there way Monday morning, and they begin to doubt the very existence of God. If you are a double minded Christian, the next verse applies to you.

James 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

Don't be double minded. Be all for Christ, or not at all for Christ. You will be happy while the double minded people will be looking for a dark cloud to walk under all of the time.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the LORD, and He shall lift you up.

What do you have to cry about? Nothing! Don't be "helpless or hopeless". Your Father loves you very much. Humble yourself before Him, and He will raise you up.

James 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Do you think God appreciates someone attempting to take His place as the Judge? No, not one little bit. It is far better to be a doer of God's Word than to set yourself up as the judge of His Word. The latter will bring some extreme chastisement on yourself.

James 4:12 There is one Lawgiver, Who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

There is nothing wrong with utilizing discernment when dealing with your brethren; however, be careful not to judge.

Let's turn to II Timothy as we continue our study.

II Timothv 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Did Paul say to be strong in yourself? No. He said to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

II Timothv 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. What you have heard me say in front of many people, you must teach to faithful men. Then they will be able to teach others also. II Timothv 2:3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

don't pray that the affliction be taken away from you. You would be a useless soldier to God in the spiritual war. Pray for the strength to endure the affliction.

II Timothy 2:4 No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.

Your Father must come first, if you are going to be a soldier for Him. Things of this life are not important.

II Timothy 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

No matter how hard you exercise to become a masterful soldier for God, don't expect a crown unless you stay within the law.

II Timothy 2:6 The husbandman (farmer) that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

You may think of a husbandman as a farmer. If you labour in God's garden, you may expect the reward of the first fruits. That my friend is a double portion just as Job received when he had demonstrated his faith (Job 42: 10)

II Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

II Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

Paul's gospel was the Word of God. As the Word promised, Christ was raised from the dead.

II TimothY 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

Paul endured affliction even unto prison. He found strength in the Word of God which can not be bound.

II Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

II Timothy 2:11 It is a faithful saying: "For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him:

II Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us:

Some would call taking care of business with Satan suffering. I don't. I like to "take names and kick dragon". Strength and faith overcome evil.

II Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself."

If we have no faith, He will still be faithful for He cannot go against what He is.

II Timothy 2:14 Tell your people about these things again. In the name of the Lord, tell them not to argue over words that are not important. It helps no one and it hurts the faith of those who are listening.

Don't strive over the words of men. That would be a disgrace, when you have the Word of God. The words of men won't save souls. The Word of God will save souls.

II Timothy 2: 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

How do you rightly divide God's Word? There are several questions you should answer as you study the Bible who is this written to? What is the subject? Which dispensation does this apply to? This is why I recommend the Companion Bible. The whole Bible is broken down into outlines, or structures, that help you understand God's Word.

Let's turn to Philippians as we continue our study.

Phillipians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Phillipians 1:22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

Paul knew that it is better to be with Christ after we are finished with these flesh bodies. If I keep on living here in this body, it means that I can lead more people to Christ. I do not know which is better.

Phillipians 1 :23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Paul says, There is a strong pull from both sides. I have a desire to leave this world to be with Christ, which is much better.

Phillipians 1 :24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

We are here in the flesh for a reason. Always serve God, until you have accomplished the work He has established for you here on earth.

Phillipians 1:25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all, for your furtherance (profit) and joy of faith;

Phillipians 1:26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

For this reason give more thanks to Christ Jesus.

Now, sharpen up for me.

Phillipians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Live your lives as the Good News of Christ says you should. If I come to you or not, I want to hear that you are standing true as one. I want to hear that you are working together as one, preaching the Good News.

Phillipians 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

Make certain your conversation aligns with the gospel of Christ. There is absolutely nothing for you to fear in your enemies. Christ gave you power over all of your enemies. If they don't change their ways, it is their destiny to perish, but you have the salvation of God and Jesus Christ.

Phillipians 1 :29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake;

Christ was afflicted; Christians will be afflicted. The world doesn't particularly care for us. We are in a spiritual war, and there will be suffering.

In conclusion, let's go to the Book of Matthew.

Matthew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My name's sake.

It would be a spiritual death for the elect to bend a knee before antichrist. Those of you with eyes to see and ears to hear know that your purpose is to be delivered up and affliction goes along with that.