When the more familiar passages of Scripture come across my daily reading—James 2:14–26 included—I find it hard not to go back to those “first impression” places as I read now. I’m whisked back to a creaky pine desk and overly-enthusiastic seventh grade Bible teacher that opened class that day with what can only be described as a true oration of this text. Seriously, Shakespearean theatre troupes would be impressed.
The cost of these first-impressions is a coloring of the text that, for better or for worse, shapes how we interpret them—and how we envision God, His work in our lives, and His love for us.
I do wonder if I can read the tone of James 2 a lot lighter than some of those voices of my past. When I swap the stern brow and commandeering voice with a beseeching, imploring one, I find this presents new ways to take in James’s message. I imagine James as being so compelled by his love for his Lord that he couldn’t help but make sure that those who say they also follow Jesus are representing this new way of living well.
For example, I know my best friend loves vulnerable conversations, dark chocolate and raspberry ice cream, and a good poetry book. If I know these things but then decide to grab them a mystery thriller and some vanilla soft serve and have a chat about the weather, then I don’t think I can say I truly care about my friend or what they care about.
Our Lord is concerned with extending grace and mercy to those who sin against Him (Romans 3:23–26), He is humble by nature (Matthew 11:29), and He has said that if you want to show Him that you love Him, you take care of His children (John 21:17). Yet how many of us (go ahead and add me to that “us”) know these things but then feel compelled to point out our spouse’s flaws whenever we can, pivot work conversations back to what we’ve done right and how our coworker messed up, or let the pastors deal with the poor in our churches and neighborhoods?
James 2 is giving fierce clarity to the subtle differences between believing in Jesus and placing faith in Him. We can believe He is the Savior of the world, but our genuine faith is revealed when we make decisions that align with His teachings. We can know that He rose from the grave to save us all from the consequences of sin, but it’s the evident changes in the ways we think and act that reveal authentic faith.
Full transformation in Christ is not just expressed internally but externally too. As for me, I want to be transformed from the inside out by Jesus more than I want to just meet the basic requirements for salvation.
Because as I come to know Him more deeply, I can live more fully.
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95 thoughts on "Faith and Works"
That last sentence is ringing in my head! As i come to know him more deeply, I can love more fully!
Yes!!!
Amen
This is where I struggle. I have faith and works. But do I work enough for it to count?
Amen! Loved this reading, thank you!
❤️✝️
Glad that you’re here Missy. Welcome back.
I have to remember to do good works as well as have faith in God and Jesus. Im getting back into the word after being astray for a while. I hit the bottom and decided I needed to come back to my faith to get back up again. Im blessed to be a part of this community.
Sharon thank you for your comment yesterday. I believe if I look at it like Satan is the one to hate, I just may be able to overcome this.
Full transformation in Christ is not just expressed internally but externally too. As for me, I want to be transformed from the inside out by Jesus more than I want to just meet the basic requirements for salvation.
This had me thinking of the book Rhonda did a study on, Change Me. My prayer is often change me Lord. Change me to be more like Jesus.
James 2 is giving fierce clarity to the subtle differences between believing in Jesus and placing faith in Him. We can believe He is the Savior of the world, but our genuine faith is revealed when we make decisions that align with His teachings. We can know that He rose from the grave to save us all from the consequences of sin, but it’s the evident changes in the ways we think and act that reveal authentic faith.
Well this says it all.
It’s possible to think faith is mostly internal, but today’s reading reminded me that faith should become visible in everyday life too
✨Well I had to come back and update… So I shared this AM that I am praying for clarity over some things and I’m doing a prayer fast for a couple of days. I’m asking specifically for him to make me mindful so we can clear out whatever blocks/distractions I am allowing to quiet his directional voice in my heart. In a session of prayer earlier I was laying things out, casting cares, asking for conviction over areas of sin i’m not seeing and BAM. My relationships. I’ve known for a while now that being a good friend has gone out the window over the last couple of years. My first year of seminary I was all-in, over the top, keeping everything regular in my schedule (leading bible studies, coaching my daughter’s running team, PTO board, daily care of 3 young kids– even kept working part time for the first semester. Needless to say burnout was waiting for me–and didn’t have to wait long. As I slowly started closing doors of access to myself from others, I pulled in to an unhealthy level. I became terrified of being drained and not having what I needed to survive classes and mom-hood. I stopped checking in with close friends who needed it, stopped responding/praying/supporting close friends when they reached out. In particular – one very close friend – was left out hanging, honestly ghosted by me and my fear of someone needing one more thing from me that I didn’t have the energy to give. I confessed my sin of the poor way I handled it and immediately reached out to that friend for forgiveness (we haven’t spoken, bc of my lack of response, in over a year)– and she immediately responded and gladly gave it!! ❤️ WHAT’S MORE- the issue i’ve been dealing with on the friend who hurt me last weekend? God clearly opened my heart to see that her motivation in saying what she did/how she did was hurt from me about the same issue- neglecting reaching out/checking in. The way she responded was still wrong – but to be fair? She’s not a Christian. I am. I am the one with the responsibility to follow the example of Jesus, not her. She reacted out of her flesh and I can’t judge that–she has no other option, sadly. So, I reached out and asked if she’d like to do lunch this week. She responded almost immediately with a “YES!” :)
Honestly I feel like a child. How could I not see that I had walled myself in so much that I was such an awful, hurtful friend? I’m not sitting in any ounce of condemnation over it, but I am looking seriously at how slowly (yet quickly) I side-stepped myself into a place that was causing hurt — in others AND, unknowingly, in myself.
ANYWAY- just wanted to thank you all for the prayers and update that God is indeed hearing them :)
This was very convicting for me to read. And I have been there, and I honestly still struggle with people needing one more thing me! Still haven’t figured out how to have more peace/patience with that. I also loved how you said that your friend isn’t a Christian, but that you are, and your response should’ve been different because so. That was SO good. Such a great reminder for us all!
I was convicted as well.
thank you heidi for this! I’m in the same spot. I have been praying so hard for a community here and as I was on a walk with a new friend I confessed to her, I’ve had a hard time making new friends bc I haven’t even been a good friend to my old ones. working on this too!
Good morning, sweet sisters! I am a bit late to the discussion from yesterday but wanted to add something. I read my Bible and pray very early in the morning before I get ready for work so I go back and read the comments from the previous day. I know that no one wants to hear “fire and brimstone” all the time but it needs to be talked about sometimes. God is indeed all about love but His grace and mercy need to be talked about more. He gives us His salvation through His son Jesus and forgives all our sins. God doesn’t send anyone to hell. This comes from our personal choices. If everyone was going to heaven anyway Jesus would not have had to die on the cross for our sins. Every knee will indeed bow and confess Him Lord but sadly this will be at the judgement and it will be too late for those who have not already trusted Jesus as Savior.
I often don’t comment on prayer requests because of time restraints and I hate to comment on some and not all. Please know that I pray for each of your requests every day. I’m praying a special prayer for those who are suffering from church hurt. That is one of the worst hurts.
Very well said Lynne.❤️
Amen, Lynne! ❤
I want to be fully transformed in this way. To show I believe truly and have complete faith in Jesus. Where I won’t get mad at the little things in my daily life. Where I can forgive. Where I know I am a child of the most high and live in that assurance everyday.
Today’s scripture is one that all of us know, but will struggle with in different seasons of our life. Here’s the thing though, (I sound like Tina) regardless of the ups and downs, and the winding of the road through struggles, valleys, and beautiful places, we still have so many opportunities daily, to reflect Jesus in the things we (can) do. When we look to see how God can use us, it actually takes our focus off ourselves and our problems, and blesses us when we bless others. It feels good, it grows us, and it makes us more like Jesus which is the goal of our journey in life.
As most of you all know I wanted a church that served the community when I first moved to SWF almost 7 years ago. Boy did God lead me to the perfect church in that way. They have endless opportunities to get involved to serve in many, many capacities. But the great thing is, like I said at the beginning we ALL can do things in the day to day to do “works” for the Lord. Honoring our husbands and families happily by tending to them and the chores. It is a gift right!? We should turn our attitudes to that. When I am perturbed and irritated I turn my attitude around by thinking of the gifts. When I am out, I change the trajectory by being nice when someone is having a hard day and it shows in their attitude. (back to loving people, which is a work of the Holy Spirit in us!)
I am preaching to myself just know, of course! :)
Our works don’t save us, they don’t move us up a scale (though, we will be rewarded in the afterlife- that’s exciting!), but his love for us is never-changing, and he has good plans and PURPOSE for us! Lean into that today! What is my purpose!?
I have tried this attitude change as well — when vacuuming up an amount of crumbs that are somehow HIGHER THAN THE AMOUNT OF ACTUAL FOOD I PUT OUT (WHAT MUTATED FORCE OF NATURE CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN?!?!?!) I try and outloud say “thank you that you provided food for my family”, or washing dishes – “thank you for a dishwasher and clean running water”… Fact is, most annoying tasks that I have to do are because of some form of blessing/gift. If I didn’t have a roof over my head and more clothes than I could wear in a week, I wouldn’t have a need for cleaning a home or doing laundry (again…sigh..). My heart does well to keep the posture that it’s all a gift in the first place ❤️
Good reminders Heidi!
Great point!
First, just thanks for the prayers over my comment yesterday because I did have moments in my day I felt them. Because of a previously planned thing, we will be having dinner with them (she/husband), and a few other people, this weekend, so I am praying for God to continue working in my heart to really see her through the eyes of her Creator.
-The question I have to always come back to when making emotional decisions: Who stands to benefit from this response? Is it reflective of the heart of my God or my enemy? Boundaries are healthy- no argument. But I am aware of myself enough to see setting healthy boundaries is not my intention. My intention, had I chosen to just cut ties, would have been to prove a point and self-protect.
To the point of today’s commentary for James 2 — my faith is revealed in the decisions I make that directly align with what Jesus lived and taught. He lived and taught mercy, grace, forgiveness, rebuke, respect, and ultimately, surrender to the will of God over his own.
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In other news – I am praying for clarity over some big things and small. I think I am going to go through John Eldredge’s 30 Days to Resilient ✨(PauseApp dot com- it’s free scripturally guided meditations/prayers – SO excellent!!!)✨ while fasting for the first 2 days. Fasting is a practice I haven’t participated in for a long time and it’s a shame because it is something Jesus exemplified for us to do on a regular basis as a natural rhythm in our walk with him… Anyway, I welcome any and all prayers as I seek to spend this intentional time speaking to and hearing from God on some specific situations in my life :) Chaos and confusion has moved into my little brain for a bit too long now, time for an eviction notice! hahaha :) :) :)
Thank you for sharing yesterday and being “real” concerning how you feel about those hurtful words that were hurled at you.
Praise God He is not done with us yet, we are still a work in progress – but, “we can be confident of this one thing, that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
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Praying for you, me and each of our sisters here “that the decisions we make directly align with what Jesus lived and taught.”
This whole book is stepping all over my toes! It’s good because I need it. I know I’m not saved by my works but I serve out of love for God and others. Where I need work is not making works another thing to check off my list! It is the attitude of my heart that I must surrender daily to Him!
He is so faithful to gently nudge me when “I” get in the way!
God is so good
totally agree!! In my class on James in seminary (and they even touched on this in the podcast this week!) it can be helpful to read james next to paul, on the topic of works/grace/faith specifically. It helps hold a balance that reminds me it’s only through his grace that I even have the OPTION to respond in faith-filled works in the first place. I’ve said it before- many have – everything we do is and will always be just a reflection/response of what God did first. He loved first, graced first, demonstrated faith first, exemplified Spirit-lead works first. :) All of it, like you said, is a response from a surrendered heart ❤️
My second and most important prayer request this morning is for our Principle. Her name is Bri and was diagnosed with breast cancer. Please pray for healing and for her body as she under goes chemo. I work as such a wonderful school and we have rallied around her to come alongside her and her beautiful family! She’s such a beautiful person.
What a GREAT devo this morning!! “…I want to be transformed from the inside out by Jesus more than I want to just meet the basic requirements for salvation.”
I don’t want to be caught up in “just” the basic requirements of my salvation as Jesus has done SO much for me! SO MUCH! And all because HE loves me!!! Yes He does!! I would never have made it this far if it weren’t for my Jesus! Sweet Rhonda reminded me of this when I texted her regarding my court appearance. In a nutshell the sale of home is a “no go” as that was dealt with in 2020, too much detail to comment here. Please just pray for what the Judge did order to do and it gets done quickly. I have two other prayer requests that are important, but the “more” important one I will write it separately as I feel it’s MOST important.
Please pray for my son Caleb. He still hasn’t found a job since they closed the coffee shop end of December and living off unemployment is not cutting it, and he realizes that! He’s still working on starting his own coffee cart, but meanwhile he needs to earn income. Thank you ahead of time as I know you will pray.
Praying for Caleb! ❤
My genuine faith put into action should produce fruit. When I seek the Lord, abide in His presence, it should transform my life, to be faithfully mature, spur me on and compel me to love well and the out pouring of that should bless, lift up and encourage others. In my desire to love and serve my Heavenly Father I need to be moved to love and serve those around me by seeing, recognizing and meeting their needs. My faith and how that guides my life has to be visible and lived out as Jesus teaches us in scripture. Lord, let this be so in my life.
I always love talking about this topic, but I’m sitting here this morning giggling, because this morning I received an email from my church (I volunteer in guest services), and it seems that it’s always the same people who want to volunteer. And in my mind I automatically go “In a church of almost 1000+ members, it’s always the same people volunteering. We shouldn’t have vacancies in roles.” Today’s devotional reminded me then volunteering at church is a way to show the love of Christ. And so I’m sitting in that realization this morning. Have a blessed day, sisters.
“I want to be transformed from the inside out by Jesus…”
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This is my desire. Whether it’s to love people more, forgive where needed, dropping the grudges I’ve carried or examining why I do the “good works” that I do.
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I want to be more like Jesus in every way and to daily be growing in my spiritual maturity.
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That takes action on my part – dying daily to self, (Galatians 2:20) letting God’s word transform my mind (Romans 12:2) and bringing every thought to the captivity of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
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Song that comes to mind, From The Inside Out by Hillsong…
A thousand times I’ve failed
Still your mercy remains
Should I stumble again
Still I’m caught in your grace
Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame
Your will above all else
My purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise
Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul
I give you control
Consume me from the inside out
Let justice and praise
Become my embrace
To love you from the inside out
Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring you praise
From the inside out
Lord my soul cries out
—-
Praying for your requests sweet She’s. And just a little reminder to each of us – we have divine power to demolish strongholds! (2 Corinthians 10:4)
Have a beautiful day! ❤️
From the inside out. Yes!
That’s really good friend! And I sang along as I read the words!
Today at Jail Ministry..We will talk about becoming NEW in Christ! We have watched and studied Jesus going to the cross for us for 7 weeks, then saw that He AROSE and IS alive, which gives us a living hope!! NOW, when we trust and believe in him we are new!! BUT..what does that mean?? So you said it that we are new in him, yet it takes ACTION on our part. Not only to read the word and pray- but to let our transformation start changing us from the inside out! Oh what a place to figure this out for them. So many struggles and challenges in where they are physically, emotionally, and Spiritually.
It is true for all of us though to examine. Are we dying to ourselves daily? Are we eager to KNOW our Savior that went to the cross? AND- IS our life revealing living for him in what we do and say! It matters. Lord Help US!! I can definitely, truly say that “doing” has made such an impact on my Spiritual life. It takes stepping out of our comfort zone! Action! Awkwardness. BUT trusting in the Holy Spirit to guide and direct, it will truly make you even more ALL IN!
So good.. :) You wrote “He arose..” and my brain snapped into singing a song that I’ve recently downloaded (may be old, but new to me, idk) – “He Arose” by Tommee Profitt & Phil Wickham. Such a great one to sing/pray through!! ❤️
That is absolutely a fabulous song! It’s a new song based on an old hymn! I have it on my playlist too.
is it that old song “up from the grave he arose… with a mighty *something something* foes…” ?? hahaha! I was a kid singing that, clearly I didn’t understand the vocabulary… lol :) :) :) I agree- fabulous song… grateful for the remake!
I LOVE that old hymn. I have been playing one old hymn each week at jail…but only 1 knew them, so I stopped short today and this was the one I wanted to play! lol. I thought about playing the new version you mentioned, it’s good!!
I’m also laughing at your lyrics, because me and my sister were singing it as we were videoing, and she had to keep carrying us with the words…and my hubby walked in and just shakes his head!!
Haha, Rhonda, LOVE THIS IMAGE!! lol!!!
Faith and works reminds me of fruit. If you have faith, you should have fruit of the faith. Not just “I believe” but do you have works to back it up? It puts feet to faith and words to works. You can just say you love someone, like Kayla said, but not do as they ask and if you do the opposite of what they like or give them something they don’t like, I’d question if you liked or knew them at all!
I have been encouraged by Ephesians 2:8-10 lately. We are not saved by works BUT GOD has prepared in advance good works for us to do. We were created for these these verses say. This speaks to purpose and design. May we find our identity as God’s handiwork and do the work he has for us!
I don’t comment very often, but I am here every morning. I also am struggling with these verses today. I have been grappling with this very thing for weeks, if not months. I try to be conscientious and obedient when I feel the Holy Spirit leading me to fulfill a need. But at the same time, I would be lying if I said I ‘want” to invest in other people or have a vulnerable conversation. This struggle has been something new for me in the last few years… the older I get and after some of the life experiences I’ve had, I have find myself being less emotionally attached, less connected and less willing to initiate relationships with other people. Simply put, I almost don’t really want to have those intimate relationships with people anymore. I talk to people literally all day long every day, but I’ve found myself not actually wanting to connect with them on a heart to heart level. I really just want to love them from afar. Lol.
You’re not alone in this feeling . Thank you for sharing and being honest. I’ll pray with you thatGod would give you deeper desires to know people
I appreciate your honesty and for articulating what is true in my heart as well. I think God must want to do some work in my heart.
I was reminded of Amy Grant’s song “My Father’s Eyes”
“I may not be every mother’s dream for her little girl
And my face may not grace the mind of everyone in the world
But that’s all right, as long as I can have one wish I pray
When people look inside my life, I want to hear them say
She’s got her Father’s Eyes
Her Father’s Eyes
Eyes that find the good in things
When good is not around
Eyes that find the source of help
When help just can’t be found
Eyes full of compassion
Seeing every pain
Knowing what you’re going through
And feeling it the same
Just like my Father’s Eyes
My Father’s Eyes
My Father’s Eyes
Just like my Father’s Eyes
And on that day when we will pay
For all the deeds we have done
Good and bad they’ll all be had
To see by everyone
And when you’re called to stand and tell
Just what you saw in me
More than anything I know
I want your words to be
She had her Father’s Eyes
Her Father’s Eyes
Eyes that found the good in things
When good was not around
Eyes that found the source of help
When help would not be found
Eyes full of compassion
Seeing every pain
Knowing what you’re going through
And feeling it the same
This is strange, the post I wrote yesterday is gone – disappeared! Has anyone else had this happen to them?
I know sometimes if you name a website it doesn’t post, but I had no websites named.
SRT staff – was there a reason that I need to correct so it doesn’t happen again?
Frustrating. That happened to me a few days ago as well :(
Well that’s very strange, especially that it had already been posted.
For I was hungry
and you gave Me something to eat;
I was thirsty
and you gave Me something to drink;
I was a stranger and you took Me in;
36 I was naked and you clothed Me;
I was sick and you took care of Me;
I was in prison and you visited Me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? 39 When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?’
40 “And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.
Matthew 25: 35-40
God didnt just say He loved the world. ” For this how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son,so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”John 3:16
God GAVE!
BG verse Job 19:25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;
Hallelujah!
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Reminded of the saying that your life may be the only Bible that some people read, and another – if you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
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Whew. Are we walking the walk or just talking the talk? A good question to ask ourselves at the beginning of each day, and then honestly grade ourselves at the end of each day.
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Someone (maybe more than one) mentioned the other day the importance of living their faith in full view of their children, that much of what children learn is by watching and imitating.
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I’ve been in situations with people who knew I was a Christian and they made it clear they had a very different set of beliefs and lifestyle. It’s a challenging place to be, living & sharing your beliefs and convictions without judging or condemning them personally.
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VANESSA BALE and MELISSA VANDIVER praying for your neighbors, and for you as you work on loving them. We also have frustrating neighbors :/
DR JAMIE SHOCKLEY OWENS – amen!
TANYA EVANS – may the Lord bless your obedience and your relationship with this coworker. Praying for her healing and coming to know Christ as Savior.
INDIANA ELAINE & DONNA WOLCOTT – church hurt is the worst, especially involving a pastor. We have been through several pastor upheavals at different churches over the years -either them leaving or being asked to leave – and it is so painful. Praying for peace in the membership and the right person to serve each of your churches.
MARIA B – praying this relationship is restored at some point. After my first marriage ended, I had several friends tell me they wanted to speak up before the wedding but didn’t. I don’t know if I would have listened, but even closing in on 40 years later, I wish they would have tried.
MELANI FRYER praying for Nev’s recovery
HEIDI praying with you
B praying today is a great day
CEE GEE ❤️
MERCY ❤️
SUSAN BURLEY praying for Paul’s health and no return of cancer. Praying for the family member and family – for God’s mercy, grace and healing. Wondering why the long wait …
Two great ‘old time’ questions that never lose their value; Thanks for mentioning them today! ❤
Praying over these requests
AH! Bring it Job… bring it…! ❤️ :)
On the podcast Back Porch Theology (Lisa Harper + friends) this week, Job was the book they discussed. Such a great listen!
Thank you for the prayers – always ✨❤️✨
Thanks for the prayers, Searching!❤️
There is more to the story, but not to be aired here. So much disappointment!
Thank you for praying! Seems like it goes every other day—good/rough— but it’s looking like possibly 2 good in a row! Still so many miracles needed, but I am so grateful to God and for your prayers for the good days. ❤️❤️❤️
Anen
Amen! ♥️
Amen! Love today’s passages and the challenge to be cognizant of our first impressions of scriptures. / Prayer request: Paul’s hemoglobin levels have dropped. Please pray that his cancer hasn’t come back. Also, another family member has been diagnosed. He & his wife had to break the news to their son who is in college in a different state. They have to wait 2 weeks to find out the prognosis, but they were told it was bad over the phone. Our God is good no matter the circumstance.
Praying for Paul, and for your family member, his wife and son.
Thank you!
Praying for Paul and your other family member!
Thank you!
Amen!❤️
Amen
Amen and Amen!
This hit me like a ton of bricks today: He has said that if you want to show Him that you love Him, you take care of His children (John 21:17). Yet how many of us (go ahead and add me to that “us”) know these things but then feel compelled to point out our spouse’s flaws whenever we can…
I never thought of my husband being one of his children that I should “take care of…” Ouch! Truth be told he has been on my last nerve lately and it is spilling into my words and actions towards him, my thoughts even worse. I truly need a heart change. Lord forgive me.
Sister, this is one of those things I pray about every day. It is so frustrating.
Lord, help me to be kind to him, and take my gripes to You – and if they’re valid, trust You to speak to his heart. At some point everyday, I have to give it to God, lay it down and move on. Lots of biting my tongue as I ask myself, will any good come from saying what I’m thinking? Working on consistency with this.
In the amen corner with y’all on this! ❤
Praying that God helps you to overlook his flaws and see the good in him, and that you can truly be the help-meet God called you to be. ❤️
I am struggling with this, too. I’ve been praying for God to give me kind feelings toward him rather than allowing all the frustration, and, yes, resentment to dictate how I interact with him.
Tami – you gave me a giggle this morning.. NOT your situation, at all, I understand it all too well. Just the words – “truth be told he has been on my last nerve lately…” HAVE TRUER WORDS EVER BEEN UTTERED BY A SPOUSE?! UHG!!! I just have to giggle because it’s the human condition. I went to bed with some tearfully deep hurts from my own relationship last night and God was kind to pop some worship songs in my head that just reminded me – we’re all a work that He is lovingly working on. We reach different places of growth at different times and his grace is sufficient for all of it. A big BIG help to me in these moments is taking 10 min to listen to a favorite praise song or 2, pray a couple of minutes of JUST telling GOD who he is and naming back his own characteristics to him — THEN shooting up a prayer or two (or however many God lays in my heart) over my Man and his own heart/mind/spirit. It’s my way of “letting go and letting god”, as well as actively working on a shift in my heart. It tends to show me my own pride in some things too, often in places I legit didn’t realize was even there… Anyway – your situation isn’t funny, but your way of telling of it was something I needed so thank you :) :) :) :)
I love you ladies! It is good to know I am not alone and that there are others praying alongside me! And Heidi your response made me laugh out loud! My pride has been put on huge display during this study and the beatitudes as well. I literally feel like Paul, I do what I don’t want to do even though I know it is wrong… well no rest exact words but you all get the jist.
You KNOW I feel you girl! I have been dealing with this in a big way for a few years now. Heidi recommended a great marriage book that I promptly read. And some other books. I put my hand on my husband when I come to bed and pray for him every night while he is asleep. I also think of every situation as the devil trying to get us against each other, that helped a lot that first year. We did a devotional last year every night- that helped. And lastly…my word of the year this year is Peace, and mainly on my marriage. All these things have finally been bringing back a more peaceful (and fun) home! Oh…and I can’t forget some good talks from Carol M and Sharon Jersey Girl too, and prayers from ya’ll!
Amen❤️
“James 2 is giving fierce clarity to the subtle differences between believing in Jesus and placing faith in Him. We can believe He is the Savior of the world, but our genuine faith is revealed when we make decisions that align with His teachings.” Thank you Kayla for this succinct way of saying our faith determines our actions.
The faith vs works has always been a bit of a struggle for me to understand. However, this past summer in my women’s small group bible study there was a discussion where a woman gave an example about her husband doing something nice (he was a Christian and she was still struggling with her faith) and she asked him why he did it and he said it was the right thing to do and she went on to say that they talked about how Christians do the right thing even if no one is looking or acknowledges them. We went on to talk about this in small group as being a way that someone else can “see” your Christian faith demonstrated to them in a tangible way. Not because it is necessary or that God needs us to do it for him, but because it is a way that our faith is outwardly visable. This made more sense to me than many other times when I have read these verses and not understood the balance so I just wanted to share.
thank you brenda that was really helpful! I have a pretty legalistic background so I struggle with this as well. your words reminded me of my grandmother. she said one of her proudest moments was when a coworker who had worked with her for several years asked her about Jesus. she said how did you know I was Christian (bc she said she never spoke about her faith at work) and the coworker said bc of your integrity. my nana helped her come to faith, and she told me that when you are a Christian you don’t have to go around telling people that they will know by how you live. it’s always stuck with me.
Amen.
“As I come to know Him more deeply, I can live more fully.”
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Abide, abide, abide.
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Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
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MELANI FRYER – rejoicing in Nev’s successfull surgery.
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INDIANA ELAINE – praying for you and your church family.
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TANYA EVANS – praying your act of kindness toward your coworker in her time of need is a seed that bears fruit.
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Be Jesus to those around you today, ladies.
I love that Kelly! “Be Jesus to those around you.”
Amen! Be Jesus to those around you today!
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Thank you for the prayers, Kelly! ❤️
There is so much more to the story not to be aired here. So much disappointment.
Well, this hit me hard this morning. I am complaining in my mind about having to serve once again this Sunday during church service and care for the two-year-olds but I’m not realizing the condition of my heart. I’m not seeing that this is an opportunity to love my church well by serving them instead I am looking at it selfishly as a quid pro quo. I don’t have kids, so how can they pay me back? How selfish of me. Lord, help me to repent and see this is as an opportunity to demonstrate my faith through my works. Change me from the inside out. Do for me what I cannot do create in me a clean heart.Amen.
O, may you be blessed as you are a blessing to the littles!
I too need some changing from the inside out.
Please know that your service in the nursery is so needed and so very appreciated. When my son was small it was a huge blessing to be able to be in worship service and Focus On Christ and the service of the word and not where the bag of Cheerios was.
melanie! you are awesome for volunteering for 2 year olds! my almost two year old is in the phase of throwing an absolute fit when we drop her off and I feel so bad for the volunteers, they didn’t volunteer to deal with that!! but they said they would try. and as I was in worship I just started praying Lord please help her stay today, I need to hear your voice, I need this quiet time, and right on cue the nursery worker texted me that she had settled down. it was an answer to prayer. so just know when your are there you are answering prayers in real time!
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The Good samaritan came to mind as I read the verses and the devotional.
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His works, whilst a priest and a Levite walked by, infact, on the other side of the road, has me wondering, did he have faith.? Or was the action, just a works without faith situation?
Let’s face it in the parable he does everything right, he stops, he takes care of the Jewish man, he even takes him to an inn and pays for his care, and even promises to pay the rest, should there be any, on His return…
He did not say God bless you, and walk on by, he did something, whereas the priest walked by.
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Did he have faith?
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Or did he show his faith by his actions?
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I know this is a parable of Jesus’s, I just wondered.
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Back to the devotional, this had me at..
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We can believe He is the Savior of the world, but our genuine faith is revealed when we make decisions that align with His teachings. We can know that He rose from the grave to save us all from the consequences of sin, but it’s the evident changes in the ways we think and act that reveal authentic faith..
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Keep ploughing through my girl, each day you grow, it may not seem like it .,
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BUT GOD..
He is with you/us as we align our daily life with His teachings..
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Amen.
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May your day be blessed my loves, as you are a true blessing to me..
Love, hugs and prayers, always.❤️
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Yes…Keep ploughing through.
Some days it’s harder than others.
But we’re still growing.
Still changing.
And God is still working.
He is with us as we align our daily life with Him.
Good words, Tina.
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