Faith leads to works

Jas 2:14  What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? Jas 2:15  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, Jas 2:16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Jas 2:17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Jas 2:18  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Jas 2:19  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. Jas 2:20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Real faith will lead us to action.  True religion begins in the heart, but it is lived out in everyday life.  A true experience with God will produce a heart of love within us, a love for God first, but also a love for our brothers and sisters.  A true experience with God will show in our love and faith being lived out.  Without a faith that leads to action, a faith that demonstrates love in action, our religion is useless.  

Our strength and stability

Hab 3:19  The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

Habakkuk lived in a time of apostasy, a time of the impending judgment of God.  Yet he knew where to find strength and stability.  Our God, the mighty Creator, the Lord of all the earth is our strength.  He can help us to find stability, that our feet can walk steady along a treacherous path.  He can help us to rise to walk on a higher plane, when all around seems to be in decline.  Trust Him, rely on Him in this shaking time.

God takes note

Mal 3:16  Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.  Mal 3:17  And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

In a time of wickedness, God takes special note of those who remain faithful.  This passage was written to ones living in a time of apostasy and wickedness.  Notice that they spoke to one another often and kept their thoughts turned to God.  We too live in a time of wickedness and apostasy, as we have been reminded again this week.  The temptation is to discouragement and to give up.  Instead, we need to encourage one another and keep our heart and mind focused on the Lord.  God takes special note of His faithful remnant in a time of apostasy.  He will not forget or forsake those who are faithful.  God claims such ones as His special prized possession, and will protect and preserve them.  

More with us

2 Kings 6:16 “And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” 

Often when we look around, evil and trouble seem overwhelming.  Elisha’s servant could see the army surrounding them, and Elisha had to remind him of their help.  When we are overwhelmed, we too must be reminded of God’s strength and presence as Elijah pointed out.  No matter the troubles we face, God’s power is always more than enough to face the challenge.

The Lord cares for His own

Isa 27:3  I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.

What assurance! God keeps His own.  He will keep and care for His people, nurturing them always.  He never tires or sleeps, keeping them day and night.  Trust Him, rely on Him, flee to Him for the help and comfort you need

Love one another

1 Jn 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  1Jn 4:8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Love is at the heart of Christianity.  God’s love is the center of all things. God is love, and all of His children also love.  It is a distinguishing trait of the family of God.  In fact, if one does not love, they don’t know God.  This passage encourages us to love one another; to put real effort into living and acting as love acts.  Let’s show that we know God and belong to the family of God by exhibiting the family trait.   

The love of many shall grow cold

Mat 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

One of the great dangers of a time of apostasy is discouragement.  It is discouraging to see evil triumphing.  It is discouraging to see wickedness abounding.  We are in danger of losing our zeal and excitement about the things of God when we are discouraged.  When the things of God cease to thrill us, our love begins to cool.  Take heed to keep your zeal and hope in the Lord during this time of wickedness.  Take heed to cultivate your love for God.  This time of apostasy will pass; let’s make sure we are still on fire when light breaks again.      

What does God want?

Act 7:48  Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Act 7:49  Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Act 7:50  Hath not my hand made all these things?

God is not impressed with all the pomp and ceremony that goes into much religion.  What can we offer to impress the God who made heaven and earth?  It isn’t our great sacrifices or gifts that God desires.  God is interested in what is in our heart.  God desires that we know Him, love Him and worship Him.  Don’t get so caught up in religion that we miss knowing God.  

God is faithful

.  Psa 48:14  For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

In this constantly changing world, there is one constant: God remains faithful.  He has been our God in the past, leading us and guiding us, protecting us.  He will be faithful today.  We can trust Him to take care of us tomorrow, and every day, all the way to the end.  God will lead, guide, protect and care for us all the way to death, through death and into our eternal home.  Trust Him.

God will never forsake those who seek Him

Psa 9:9  The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Psa 9:10  And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

What reassurance is given us in God’s Word!  Again, we are assured that God will never forsake us.  Through the difficulties and dangers of this life we have a safe hiding place.  In times of turmoil and distress, we have a safe retreat.  We can put our trust in Him.  Those who know the Lord, know His goodness, His love, His trustworthiness.  Put your whole trust and confidence in Him.  Run to Him to find that place of safety.  Run to Him to find the help you need.  God will never, never forsake those who seek Him.  

He will not forsake His own

1Sa 12:22  For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.

Over and over God bolsters our faith with an assurance that He will never forsake us.  In this promise we are assured that God will not forsake His own people.  We are reminded that it pleased God to make us his people.  It was God’s doing to make us His people, not our initiative.  Therefore, God will never bring disgrace to His own name by forsaking His own people.  Take courage and faith, persevere, God will not forsake His own.

None like Him

Isa 46:9  Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,  Isa 46:10  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

What an awesome God!! There is none like Him! God knows everything that has been, everything that is, and everything that will be.  He knows the future just as clearly as the past. Nothing has taken Him by surprise.  God in His infinite wisdom and foreknowledge will accomplish everything that He intended to accomplish in this world.  He will accomplish everything when He intended to accomplish it.  We can trust Him, we can trust His Word.

Singing

Eph 5:19  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Eph 5:20  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Here is one of the keys to a happy life and a winsome spirit.  It is singing in your heart, singing to yourself hymns and songs of praise, keeping a song in your heart to the Lord.  Couple this with thankfulness, and you will be well on your way to living a happy life.

Our delight

Psa 40:8  I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

This passage exemplifies the attitude of one who truly loves the Lord.  There is a readiness, an eagerness to please Him.  One of our great joys in life should be in doing God’s will.  Pleasing God involves keeping His commandments.  One who truly loves God is committed to knowing and doing the will of the Father, which is contained in His word.

One mind

2Co 13:11  Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

There is a connection between our harmony as the children of God and the blessing of God.  This passage instructs us to aim to be whole (perfect), to strengthen and encourage one another, have the same purpose and intentions, and live in peace and harmony.  If we do these things, the God of love and peace will be with us.  Let us value and strive for harmony and peace in the family of God.

Our portion

Lam 3:24  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.  Lam 3:25  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

For a Christian, God is our portion in life; He is our “piece of the pie”. Because God is our portion in life, our hope is in Him. In our search for satisfaction, safety and help in life, our hearts and minds should be turned to the Him who is our portion in life.  This passage assures us that the Lord is good to them who look to Him and expectantly hope in Him.

Able to sympothize

Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

There are times when life seems out of control.  There are difficulties and disappointments that frustrate us.  We need someone who understands, who can help.  We have the perfect One to go to! We have One who intercedes for us, One who truly understands us.  He has lived this life, endured the difficulties and temptations, and overcame. He was truly a human, yet He is also truly God.  This is who we flee to in prayer…One who is all wise, all powerful and also truly understands.  This is to whom we come to find mercy and grace to help in time of need.    

Exceedingly abundantly

Eph 3:20  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

This is one of the most awesome promises in all of God’s Word! Our God is able to do more than we can even think or imagine!  God is able to help us much more than we often even allow ourselves to dream.  God is able to do so much more than we ask of Him.  God is able to help us to do and be much more than we think, by His Spirit dwelling within us.  What are you facing? Does it seem impossible?  Take it to our awesome God in prayer.  Do you lack wisdom or strength?  Seek help from the One who can do everything by His Spirit dwelling in us.  

The right kind of savings account

1 Ti 6:17  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 1Ti 6:18  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 1Ti 6:19  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Prosperity tends to cause us to forget God and find our security and comfort in the things we possess.  We also tend to become proud, giving our self credit for what we have accomplished.  This passage reminds us that everything we enjoy comes from the hand of God.  Therefore, we should use the blessings God has given us to do good to others and help those in need.  In this way, we will have true riches that last beyond this time world.

As becometh the gospel

Php 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;

Our conduct and life should be that which is worthy of the great salvation we have received.  We should live our life in accord with that which the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches.  We should conduct ourselves in this manner whether anyone is watching or not.  One of the ways we live as becomes the gospel is in our harmony with one another.  The focus of our attention and effort should be to promote the gospel, not contending with one another.  Let’s purpose to live our lives in a manner worthy of this great salvation.