Genuine faith must be accompanied by action. Therefore, we can’t offer empty phrases to someone who we plainly see is in need…for it only goes to illustrate the deep disconnect between our professed faith and practical action. But for many, they feel that if they just live a “good life” that’s enough. That’s because, their confidence is based only on their “good life” and not on works. But we all know that we’ll never be able to live a perfect life…for by the blood of Jesus, we are justified by faith alone…but not by a faith that is alone. We only need to read the next verse for clarification of this…”Faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17) Our faith alone cannot justify, for it isn’t alive… thus, it’s only through a living faith, a producing of good works…or the fruit of service one to another, that will transform our life and others.
Philippians 2:13 ” For it is God Who works in you to Will and to act according to His good purpose.”
Your purpose is found in those quiet moments when no one but God sees the work of your hands. That’s because God’s plan and purpose for you will always be good, but not necessarily full of accolades and appreciation. Many times you will discover your purpose behind the scenes, as that person who just gets things done. Very often then, you will be taken for granted. But even though people may never show a lot of gratitude, you still need to trust in God’s process…for it’s Him Who sees the work of your hands. Therefore, in those quiet moments of understanding, God will show you His Divine objective and design for your life, and in it, you will find your purpose.
Psalm 4:5 “…trust in the Lord.”
My mind totally agrees, “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.” (Psalm 56:3) But yet I’m constantly asking God for an elaborate and intricate road map of what lies ahead. I want to know His plan…a detailed explanation…so I can be prepared, I tell myself. I ask for clarity, but what I really want is control. For it’s easier for me to “do something” rather than trust in God. So instead, I hold tightly to my control, demanding clarification…but instead, God offers His hand and tells me to “Trust in Him.”
“Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.” Corrie ten Boom
This quote from the well-known Christian Writer and Speaker comes from the deeply personal experience of being imprisoned in a concentration camp for hiding Jews during the Holocaust. And if you look closely at the wording, you will see the true difference between unforgiveness and forgiveness. One faces outward…the other inward. Unforgiveness binds and restricts us… and no one else. Resentment and bitterness hampers us from moving on with our life…but really affects no one else. That’s because, as we remain fettered to the past with our unforgiveness, we can only grow more and more miserable about our life. So, forgiveness is the key. (Matthew 6:14 & Ephesians 4:32)
Psalm 23:2 ” He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters…”
When the world is loud and chaotic…when our only desire is for peace and tranquility in our life…we can find comfort and security in the quiet place of God’s Presence. It’s a place of calm in the troubling and tempestuous times of our life when everything seems frightening. For God reassures us here that He will always be with us…guiding, protecting, and leading us to that place of rest, because of His abundant love for us. (Psalm 36:8 & Psalm 46:4) So today, allow God to guide you to that beautiful dwelling place of His Presence.
Titus 3:4-5 ” But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.”
As much as we’d like to think that all our “good works” are somehow influencing our merit with God…Salvation by grace through faith is a gift from Him and is in no way contingent on any of our good works, moral intentions, or virtuous actions. We are reminded of this again in Ephesians 2:8-9 that tell us that it’s by grace we’ve been saved, through faith alone. And in I Peter 1:3 it also ties our Salvation solely to the work accomplished by Jesus Christ… based entirely on God’s loving initiative…and nothing from us.
The importance of steadfast faith amidst trials.
The Apostle John, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, commended the Church in Philadelphia for their enduring patience under the presence of turmoil, difficulties, and evil challenges. (Revelation 3:10) Though the Greek word for “enduring patiently” in this verse is much more than just hanging on by your fingernails. Sure, it’s resolute perseverance in spite of the trials in front of you…but within the heart of this definition is an abiding and persistence hope and certainty in God that doesn’t allow one to surrender to the circumstances or succumb under the trials. Rather, it’s a suffering well, that God sees and will deliver us from, if we but endure with hope.
God’s purpose is often found in the process…
In Genesis 37:5, Joseph had a dream. He prayed, believed, and trusted in God for the promise…but didn’t know that the path to the palace went through the pit and a prison first. At the time, the process seemed like punishment to him…but in God’s eyes it was Joseph’s preparation. It happens to us too, we want the promise, but resist the process…we desire answered prayer, but would rather not go through the painful self-growth that God often requires to get there. We have to trust in the process…for the same God Who heard your prayer, is shaping you for the answer. And what He’s building in you is every bit as important as what He’s building for you.
Isaiah 43:19 ” See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Remember this today, God is still working in the unseen areas of your life. Remember also that His timing is perfect, and He will always bring good out of hardship if we but have faith in Him. Jesus spoke of this kind of faith in Matthew 17:20 when He compared it to a mustard seed. Now to really understand the tiny bit of faith we need, let’s look at the mustard tree, or really, mustard bush. This tree-like bush can grow up to 30 feet high with a spread of 20 feet in diameter. It’s one of the fastest -growing trees and can survive in various soil conditions and in different weather conditions from extremely hot & dry to wet & cold climates. It’s roots grow deep, making it very resistive to drought and able to thrive in very poor soil. So today, take your tiny seed of faith…for that’s all you need, and allow it to take root in submission to God. For only our Sovereign Lord knows the future and can plan, declare, and execute His perfect plan & purpose for your life. (Isaiah 41:22)
Joshua 24:31 ” Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel.”
Moses had done a excellent job of mentoring & discipling Joshua…in turn, Joshua had discipled the elders with him. For they had all experienced firsthand the miracles and mighty works of God… and it had shaped their lives. But as they grew old and died, they failed to disciple their own successors…resulting in the next generation succumbing to Canaanite idolatry. For we read in Judges 2:10, “And there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which He had done for Israel.” Therefore, it shows the striking difference that can happen from one generation to the next when the things of God are not taught and passed along. It also underscores the importance of discipleship & strong leadership to the younger generation. For the last thing this next generation needs is spiritual disconnect and a crisis of faith because they have no personal relationship with God.
Safetypinlove 