Isn’t it great to be empowered? I looked up the definition of this word; this is what I found:

1. To give power or authority to; authorize, especially by legal or official means.
2. To enable or permit.

After reading this, I said the above verse again in a different way:

​Most of us have heard of the above scripture and about the servants who were faithful with the talents given to them and those who were not.  I ponder on the fact that many a time we are given things and what we do with them, whilst in our hands, is so important. 
 

• Are we mature enough to receive from the Hand of Yahovah / God?
• Does He trust us enough?
• Will we be faithful with the little so that we are able to carry more?

 
Something I have observed, and I believe Master Yeshua / Jesus has brought to my attention, is when my 3 ½ year old would cry for something, something he would want to play with and I would give it to him in the hopes that he would explore and learn something.  I would give it to him wanting to see what he would want to do with it.  Or when someone gives him a gift but the box says 5yrs and older, yet it is given to him to enjoy.  Unfortunately, days go by and the toy or item is broken into pieces or pieces are missing and scattered all over the house or even completely damaged.  At the time the gift was given to my son, he was actually not mature enough to receive the gift.

Where light exists, it's impossible for darkness to remain.  Even a small light changes everything.  Can you imagine how we must look in the spirit?  We are bright lights!  The Lord shines in us, and then shines through us bringing His light, and His life everywhere we go!  We need to remember who we are in Him, and the authority and life that we carry in us.

On a regular basis, we're accused by the accuser.  He's good at that, and He works hard to try to remind us of who we were, our failures, our problems and every negative view of our present circumstances.  That isn't enough though, for He tries to bring fear of what is to come.  The Lord has delivered us from all darkness, and brought us into the Light!  As long as we stay in agreement with the accuser's lies, we stay in the dark once again.  

Jas 1:2  My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
Jas 1:3  knowing that the proving of your belief works endurance.
Jas 1:4  And let endurance have a perfect work, so that you be perfect and complete, lacking in naught.
 
This morning in my quiet time with Messiah Yeshua/Jesus, I felt He was asking me the question, “What do you think it means to endure through trial with joy”.  I usually ask my 3yr old questions as I want him to think for himself, it will get in quicker and will show me his level of maturity.  Scripture encourages us to mature and eventually move away from milk on to solid meat.  As I gave a few answers I realized that He was giving me the opportunity to really think about it and to change my perspective.
 
I don’t know how many times I have had to read James Chapter 1 but I know one thing is for sure is that the King is trying to teach me how to endure with joy.