Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Imagine Siegfried without Roy, Peaches without Herb or Cheese Fries without cheese. I know I know, a stretch right but I had to get your attention. What do each of these things have in common? The latter is good but oh so much better when it is combined with the former. The bible says the same is true of faith and works. In chapter 2:14-26 of his book, James the half brother of Jesus, challenges us to really examine our claim to faith if our actions do not demonstrate what we say we believe. How can we truly walk out a life of faith in God if our works do not back it up? So here is one more…The body without a soul. We are considered dead if our body has no soul just as our faith is dead if we have no works. James goes on to say that faith by itself is not enough because unless it is accompanied by action, it is dead. So how can we practically demonstrate our faith through works? One thing you can do is find a simple way to bless someone else. Speaking a kind word or making a concerted effort to go out of your way to help someone in need plants a seed which in turn will reap a harvest. Secondly, showing forgiveness really challenges us to step outside of ourselves and rely completely on God. Forgiving is hard especially when you consider something as simple as the person that cut you off on your way to work or the physical assault you may have endured. Undoubtedly they do not compare but the act of forgiveness requires an action that releases you from the chains of the enemy. Finally, sharing the goodness of God with others requires action on our part. Yes we can be silent witnesses but nothing reaches to the heart of man like when you share how our heavenly father pursues us always, in hopes that we will accept his gift of life. So let’s get to work! Power Verses James 2:14-26

Test Taking Skills

We have all encountered some sort of major test in our lives. Some come as a total surprise or have been marked on the calendar to remind you to prepare for it. From chapter assessments to life threatening illnesses, we can relate all along the spectrum. 

We are going to be tested. We can not control the test but we can control our response to it. 

One of the most infamous accounts of testing in the bible, is the story of Job. Job was a faithful and righteous man of God who did what right in the sight of God and he prospered because of it. Satan met with God to express his desire to test Job for he believed Job was only faithful to God because of the blessings God had given him. Satan surmised that if his family, wealth and health were stripped from him, Job would curse God and turn away.

In this case we see that the purpose of the test is to shift the focus from God to the circumstance so that Job becomes so consumed with his condition that he turns his heart away from God. 

Then we have Saul, a man who orchestrated the persecution of many Christians. Apparently, God had been testing his conscience prior to his blinding encounter with the light of God on his trip to Damascus. God needed to get Saul's attention so He took away his sight forcing him to examine his heart. God tested the heart of Saul to propel him to a greater purpose so Saul, renamed Paul, could lead numerous people to God. 

In this case we see that the purpose of the test is to shift the focus from the circumstance to God in preparation for the mighty ways God intended to use Paul. 

Every test we encounter is not directly from God but we can choose to direct our focus toward God as he helps us to endure and develop our character for His greater purpose. The by-product of a test is what builds your character to lead people to God. Count it all joy. 

Power Verses

Gold and silver are tested by fire, and a person's heart is tested by the Lord. (Proverbs 17:3 GNB)

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (James 1:2-4 NLT)

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Ready or Not...

Startled in the darkness of night, he jumps out of bed only to hear the rustling sound of feet downstairs. Fear grips his heart like a vice but he manages to retrieve his firearm and make his way toward the noisy intruder. Once at the bottom of the stairs the young man sets his eyes on the intruder and raises his weapon with the intention to kill. He pulls the trigger and the haunting sound of a "click" permeates the space all around him. The intruder now realizes that he has the young man right where he wants him, vunerable and unable to fight back. 

This scenario, although fictional, parallels the idea of entering into the dangerous world around us unprepared for battle. How foolish was the young man to not examine his weapon and prepare himself for battle before descending the stairs. In the same regard, how foolish is it that we leave our doorsteps not having prepared our hearts and minds for the battles ahead each day. Paul reminds us that we are not wrestling against physical opponents but against satan, his cohorts and supernatural wickedness. It is therefore imperative that we gird ourselves with the armor of God so that we remain strong and mighty. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that he has given us tools to enter each day fully clothed with the authority to take a stand against the devil's schemes. 

The belt of truth helps you when you are confronted with the lies of the enemy that taunt you. With the truth of God's word gird around you, you can oppose the opposition. The sandals of peace allow you to continue to the run the race set before you and finish strong. The sheild of faith helps you to repel the firey darts of the enemy. With this impenetrable faith, you will be able to trust the promises of God and his plan for your life despite what the circumstances are. 

The helmet of salvation clothes your thoughts with reminders that you are saved by God's grace. 

The breastplate of righteousness guards your heart and allows you to stand as the righteousness of God while helping you to act in accordance with his will. 

The Sword of the Spirit, the very word of God, is an indespensable weapon. Prayer is also an essential piece in our daily warfare. The bible commands us to pray continually without ceasing. Not only do we pray for ourselves but we pray for others and to build a relationship with the God of angel armies. If you were going to enter into battle everyday wouldn't you want to know the general's plans? Stay connected in order to remain prepared and protected by the armor of God.

Power Verses

Ephesians 6: 10-19

1st Thessalonians 5:17

Who Are You?

Pete Townshend of The Who penned the theme song for the hit TV Show CSI : Las Vegas. The song's chorus asks the question, "Who are you?" The song seems to tell the story of man in search of something that will satisfy and the closing verses read as follows:

I know there's a place you walked

Where love falls from the trees

My heart is like a broken cup

I only feel right on my knees

I spit out like a sewer hole

Yet still receive your kiss

How can I measure up to anyone now

After such a love as this?

In desperation he understands his brokenness and recognizes his need for a Savior while drowning in his unworthy state. I think it's safe to say that we have each found ourselves searching for answers at some point in our lives. Even in this position God is whispering to our hearts who we are in Him. 

We fail ourselves when we look to the world or people to tell us who we are. The only one who knows the purpose and operating potential of an invention is the creator. The same is true of our relationship with God. If we want to know who we are, what our purpose is and how we can impact the world around us for his glory, we should look to His truth about us. When you are at your lowest and when all your efforts on your job, home and every other arena of life seem fruitless, you have to remind your spirit of the truth.

So who are you?

Here are 10 truths or I AM statements about who you are in Christ.

1 - I am loved by God. Ephesians 2:4

2 - I am a child of God. Romans 8:16

3 - I am chosen in Him. Ephesians 1:4

4 - I am part of the family of God. 1 Peter 2:10

5 - I am no longer a slave to sin. Romans 6:6

6 - I am a slave to righteousness. Romans 6:18

7 - I am not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14

8 - I am an ambassador for Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:20

9 - I am a breath of fresh air in this polluted world. Philippians 2:15

10 - I am more than a conqueror through Him who loved me. Rom 8:37 

Let these few truths encourage you to study God's word to find out what else He thinks about you. Bask in the truth of who God says you are in Him. Let the rays of love warm your soul.               

                       

Kinetic and Potential Energy

Kinetic and potential energies are found in all objects. If an object is in motion it is said to have kinetic energy. If an object is at rest it is said to have potential or stored energy. A basketball resting on the court has a certain amount of energy called potential energy and if I pick up that basketball and hold it in my hands it still has potential energy but my work has increased the potential energy of that basketball. Because I did work to move the basketball from the court to my hands it now has a greater potential than it had before. If the basketball had remained where it was, it would not have obtained the added energy. If I then take the same basketball and shoot it towards the basketball net it has now gained kinetic energy because it was forced into motion. 

We all have the potential to do great things for the kingdom of God. His word says that He knows the plans he has for us and these plans are to prosper us and not to harm us but they will give us a future filled with hope or potential. So how to do we move from a place of potential into kinetic movement in God's plan for our lives. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide our every course of action. So every decision we make should be led  by the Holy Spirit. It is through his prompting and reassurance that we move from our potential into bold action. 

Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He chooses not to leave us where we are but to move us to greater heights of potential so that with action we can make a greater impact. Our God given potential partnered with the Holy Spirit moves us toward fulfilling the plans that God has purposed in our hearts and on our lives. 

Power Verses

Jeremiah 29:11

2 Timothy 1:14 

Minority Report

Have you ever been in a bleak situation in which all possibilities have been exhausted? Have you ever tried with all your mights to fix the problem laid out before you only to have each attempt end in failure? Have you ever received terrible results and succumb to the belief that there was nothing more that you could do? Well, we may have all experienced some sort of difficulty in our lives at some point. We have probably all stood at the edge of the cliff ready to jump off because we felt that there was no hope. That is just like the 10 of 12 scouts that were sent to explore God's promised land; Canaan. Moses sent out 12 scouts and 10 of them returned with a grim report of the impossibilities that they saw with their human eyes and limited view. They saw the powerful giants as Goliaths instead of seeing themselves as giant slayers. Of the 12 there were 2 that gave the minority report. Caleb spoke up on behalf of himself and Joshua and painted a very different picture. He quieted the people and told them that they should go immediately to take the land, because he was certain they could conquer it. Unfortunately, his people, the Israelites believed the majority report and it cost them greatly. They had to wander around outside of their destiny for 40 years. Can you imagine that? Let us make a decision today to see and believe the minority report. The creator of this very universe is on our side and we should not find it hard to believe that He can do the impossible. There is nothing too hard for our God. Whose report will you believe? 

Power Verses

Phillipians 4:8 NKJV  Numbers 13:30

Amazing Grace

FACE - Amazing Grace

Dictionaries define grace in many ways. One such definition states that grace is unmerited favor shown to someone. 

God's grace is given to us freely regardless of who we are or where we are from. His grace frees us from the condemnation of ourselves and others. 

God's grace says I love you and I have forgiven you of your past. God's grace is undeserved because we all fall short of the glory of God. Falling short we do not come close to deserving the lavish blessings he has prepared for us in Heaven. It is when we come to this realization that we are undeserving of this grace, that we can stop trying to earn the favor and love of God through our efforts. 

He intended from the very beginning to walk and talk with us for all eternity. Sin entered the picture and as a result God sent Jesus to take on the punishment meant for us. We cannot truly appreciate God's grace unless we deal with the reality that His death was as a result of our sin.

God's definition of grace says I love you, I want you to spend eternity with me, so I will pay the debt, which was your life, and I will send my Son instead. He will hang where you should have hung and the blood that spills out will be a reminder that my love covers a multitude of sin.

Let us not shy away from the realities of where our grace began...at the cross. Meet Him at the foot of the cross and accept the grace He so freely gives.

Ephesians 1:7-8 Romans 3:23 Romans 11:6