To All You "Christians" Out There...Don't Let Your Faith Be Dead and Cold!

James 2:14-26

This passage is a very touchy one for me (LOL).  I wrote a sermon in my Homiletics (how to preach class), in bible college, I think on this very passage or at least on this topic.  And well let us just say that it did not go over well.  I believe the word “heresy” was written in quotations and in large, capital, red letters on the margins.  Yup, to this day I joke around with my hubby about what a heretic I am. 

The problem was and what I was trying to not so eloquently express is this idea of faith without works thing.  I want to declare right now…shout from the roof tops, that you are saved by faith alone!  You cannot earn your salvation!  Salvation is a free gift given by God and paid for by Christ death on the cross.  I want that to be perfectly clear.  Yet, when I say all that we must then also understand that there can be no dichotomy in you between your faith and your behavior.

Salvation is free to you through faith

However, the evidence of your faith is your behavior. 

Maybe you have heard something along these lines, I can tell your character pretty quickly by how you spend your money and your time.  I think this is true of any Christian.   I can tell if you are truly a Christian by what you do or as in this James passage your “good works”.   This free gift of salvation is given to us by our faith and then what we do with it is measured by how we handle that gift. 

It is far easier to only lean on this first half of salvation.  Hey, our human nature loves all that is lazy.  We will take anything that is free.  But to then have to work with it, allow it to work through our lives, and let it change us, whoa…that is a whole new ballgame.  It is like winning a treadmill.  I can say I have a free treadmill and still be fat; because I have not used the dusty thing.  It was just easier to just accept the first part in hopes to someday be skinny.

Sadly, we treat Jesus much like the dusty treadmill.   I believe in Jesus and that is it!  I prayed the prayer.  The rest of my life I will live like the rest of the world and still get into heaven because of my free gift.  I’m sorry friends that attitude is like slapping my Jesus in the face over and over again.  He didn’t die so you can continue to live in your sinful slumber.  No, He died to save you from yourself.  Wake up and let Him change you.  And as He begins to infiltrate your life, He is going to come out in all that you are and all you do.  Why?  Because He loves you and you love Him back.

I married my husband 16 years ago.  I can say I am married and I love him until I blue in the face. But what if I treat him like garbage day in and day out, ignore him constantly, don’t do anything with him, and don’t work at having a relationship with him…is it really a relationship or is it all a façade?  Am I really who I say I am by my actions?  Wow, that is the question now isn’t it?  Now replace the object of my affections with the name “Jesus” in those questions, what are my answers?

James gives two examples of Faith, Abraham and Rahab!  He could have used any number of examples; but yet I think he purposely choose these two.  Remember who James is talking to?  Scattered Jewish Christians!  Abraham is considered the ultimate patriarch of the Jews.  He is the one with whom the promise of the Messiah would come through, he would be the father of many nations, and he was honored by all.  Man, any Jew  would hold this guy with the utmost respect.  He is the Jew of all Jews.  He had so much faith that he would even offer his own son to God.  Wow, this guy had faith.  He was honorable.  He was God fearing. He is the man of all men in Jewish history.  Those are some hard shoes to follow for some; but inspiring to others. 

But his faith made him a friend to God.  I cherish the image God creates here.  He shows us that we to can be friends with God.  Abraham allowed the love of God, his faith, to permeate him inside and out, that even his actions declared the very glory of God in his life, his friendship with Almighty God!  Not too many religions allow you to be friends with their gods.  But Jesus, creator of the universe, longs to consider us friend.  How cool is that?

Well, I can’t have faith like Abraham.  I’m not that good.  I have a bad past.  God wouldn’t want me. 

Remember the other example of great faith?  Yeah, Rahab.  Rahab the prostitute, she leaves us all without excuse.  She gives hope to anyone who longs to have faith in God and that they can change who they are.  God is always chasing after us.  You can never be to far gone, to dirty, to smelly, to bad, to whatever…that His free gift of salvation cannot change you.  All you have to do is reach out in faith and let Him begin the process of making you more like Him.  It is a process, sometimes lengthy and difficult, but in the end if you allow Christ to change all of who you are from the inside out you can begin to have great faith with matching good works…just like beautiful Rahab who also became a friend of God just like Abraham. 

I love the last verse, 26, at the end of James 2.  I think it marries perfectly the idea of the free gift of salvation through faith and our good works. 

just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

That is it plain and simple, clear and precise, and so easy for us all to understand as we breathe in and breathe out even as we read it.

May your faith be alive and goodness come out as easily 

as you take in breath and release it.

GET JOY!

 I always thought that I was weird for taking these pictures.  They are from a cemetery in Gladwin last winter.  The snowy day was so perfect and as I was driving by, it just seemed to beautiful in there to not grab some pictures.  They seem to fit with today's post.

Don't let your faith be dead and cold!

As Long As He Gives Me Breath!

My dad at my daughter's birthday.

My dad had a stroke on Mother’s day.  It seems weird to see that sentence typed on my screen. Eight words that are just letters from the alphabet, but those little letters arranged in that certain way have changed my family.  Right now there are so many questions and “what if” thoughts rolling around in my head.  There are simply not enough answers to solve all the problems that my mom and dad face right now.  At times all these circumstances can leave me feeling overwhelmed and inadequate.

Since Easter, my daughter had an emergency appendectomy.  My father-in-law had an emergency gallbladder removal and now my dad’s stroke.  We are all so thankful that they are with us today.  I cannot put into words my deep gratitude to God for His hand of protection.  But, I have been traveling on an emotional roller coaster and I am ready for the ride to be done.  When life hits hard like it has my family or when we find ourselves being attacked by the enemy, how do I react?

Easter 2011

During times like this, it becomes very clear what I cannot do.    I cannot keep bad things from happening.  I cannot control outcomes.  I even cannot kiss it and make it all better.  I feel so helpless and at times frustrated.  There is only one sure thing I can do or control through all of "life" stuff and that is my reaction.

My reaction is a choice.  Sure I have many feelings that flow through me during rough, discouraging, and hard times some of them not so good…hey I am only human.  But how I express those feelings is what I can control.  I choose to react the way God would have me to react.  Sometimes that can be genuinely hard to do, especially when you are really angry or hurt.  Gods just simply asks us to trust even in the middle of tough things.

Christmas program 2011

The last few days, I have been reminded about how much God loves me.  Not only does He love me, but He also gives me everything I need.  He provides for me spiritually, emotionally, physically and mentally.  He brings friends and family to carry my family and encourage us.  He is all and does more than we can imagine.  He holds us in the palm of His hand. 

Starting a new church in the months ahead is a lot of work.  All these seemingly bad things that have happened in the last month and half could really discourage John and I and distract us.  However, I have to know that no matter what we face God is on our side.  He has strengthened my resolve.  He has strengthened my determination.  And when I have done all (Eph. 6), I have decided …..I will stand firm.

Bay City last fall 2011

I was told during boot camp that we would face difficult times and attacks from Satan.  I really did not like hearing those words.  I cringed just at the thought of it.  In fact, I quickly buried those thoughts.  Of course, nobody wants to deal with stuff like that, I am no different.  I really like what George Wood posted on his facebook recently, “Paul does not say, "Everything that happens to us is good." Rather, the apostle declares, "God works good in all things." (Rom 8:28) (Man, I needed to hear that today!)

I read this verse about a week ago and I think God gave it to me for this very season of my life. I've been meaning to blog about this verse.  I just did not know this is how this blog would unfold.

Psalm 116

¹ I love the Lord because he hears my voice
    and my prayer for mercy.
² Because he bends down to listen,
    I will pray as long as I have breath!

I have prayed this as a prayer constantly since I read it. Little did I know how much I needed those few words written on paper so long ago and how they would impact my life right now.   I love the image of God in this passage.  I see Him as a dad bending down to help His daughter.   My Father not only loves me, He bends down to me, hears me, and takes care of me.  He is working all things together for my good and for my family’s good.  He has called me and I will answer that call.  

In bad times, good times, I will pray to my Jesus as long as He gives me breath!

GET JOY!

Romans 4, part 1 The Joy of Faith!

Romans 4:1-22

Wow, I think I am really getting a picture of what Paul was really dealing with...with these Jewish Christians. After studying Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians & Philippians, Paul really has to correct some very strong doctrine issues. After pondering it some more, I have realized that Jesus had to do some course correction with the religious leaders during His time here on earth as well. They really had it in their heads that the only way to receive righteousness is through works.

As we have been studying, Paul and Jesus clearly tell us that this in not so. Faith is what saves us...faith alone. Our prideful humanity somehow thinks that we have the ability to do something, to control something, to be able to force something. Salvation is a free gift and it only comes through Faith.

Paul is a smart guy. He uses the patriarch of the Jewish faith to make his argument, Abraham. (I love the stories of Abraham and his great faith! So much of his relationship with God also foreshadows Jesus the Messiah) He doesn't pull any punches....

³ What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

& ¹⁷ As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

Paul knew that the he needed a strong argument to prove what God had intended all along. The Jews had missed the point. They thought that their act of circumcision justified them....so far from the truth.

¹¹ And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.

God saves us because He loves us and all it takes is faith, it is very simple yet we make it so hard. I love the last part of verse 5

their faith is credited as righteousness

There is nothing we can do, so that no one can boast and think of themselves better than they are not, it is only through a powerful God who can make all things right.

I love, love, love how Paul uses the Old Testament to make his case and this scripture from King David is so beautiful....

⁷ “Blessed are those
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
⁸ Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

Thank you Lord that there is nothing I can do to receive justification; because I could never in a million years do enough. I will give thanks that all I have to do is have faith and YOU make all things new. There are no words that express my deep gratitude for my sins are forgiven, my sins are covered and that they will never be counted against me; because of the precious blood of Jesus that was shed for me. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you sweet Lord Jesus!

I will....
GET JOY!

Check out Jenilee's blog on Romans 4!

Galatians 3 ~ I Am A Star!

Don't forget to visit my dear friend Jenilee and her thoughts on Galatians 3!

Galatians 3
Chapter overview (directly from Tyndale N.T. Commentaries)...

1. Introduction (vs. 1-6)
2. Abraham's Faith (vs 7-9)
3. Who is under the curse? (vs. 10-14)
4. Does the law annul promise? (vs. 15-18)
5. What is the purpose of the law? (vs. 19-29)

Whew...hang on folks, fasten your seat belts it about to get very deep here in Galatians 3! I am almost at a loss as to where to start. Yikes, this is some deep, deep, can I say it again deep theology going on in these 29 little verses. I could probably write a book about it this; but, there are some smart people who already have. So, I will sum up for our purposes; so I can get to the part that really grabbed a hold of me tonight.

Basically, Paul starts this chapter as if he were a parent scolding a child. It is time to put these Galatians in time out and have them write sentences....I am saved by grace not by works....100x's! They have allowed themselves to be led astray and Paul is correcting their path. Sometimes, we need that in our own lives....sometimes we need to be put in time out, get a lecture and write sentences until we get it in our hearts.

The Galatians then go to school. Paul begins to teach them salvation theology 101. We get a history lesson through Abraham and we learn about how God had this all planned out. We are reminded that we are all under the curse. Remember, there is none righteous...no not one (Romans 3:10)! Christ paid our debt by dying on the cross and taking our sin. He then conquered death through His resurrection.

Verses 15- 18 got a little confusing for me; but I will try to sum it up in one sentence...
Basically, Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise....the law's purpose reveals our need for Him.

Okay, this is getting a little long so....
What God Wants To Show Me Today!

Tonight, I went to an "Adoption Shower". A family in our church adopted a girl (12) and a boy (14) from China. We had such a good time. They were so fun to watch as they hugged everyone before they even opened their presents. They have been here in the USA for about two months. Their world has been dramatically changed. Two months ago they lived in a Chinese orphanage and today they have a family and church family who adore them here in the U.S.

When they got their children over there all kids had were literally the clothes on them. Mom and Dad had to bring them all new clothes or buy them there in China. Two months ago they belonged to China and had nothing...two months ago they then became the children of the Moore's forever and were given a future.

This really helped me understand verses 23 - 29. I was once like these kids who were adopted. I lived in the world, my orphanage, and my guardian was the law. My guarding showed me that there was a better way to live but as hard as I tried to obey all the rules I could never leave on my own. Then Jesus came and provided away for me to leave. When I had faith in Him, I was adopted by Him forever. I got new clothes, I have a hope and a future. I now journey with Him to our new home which will someday be in heaven. I am now a part of the promise that was given to Abraham...

I am one of the stars!
(ok crying now)

Galatians 1 ~ Only 1 Good News!

I am so excited. I am joining my dear friend, Jenilee, in a Bible study. Over the next 20 days we will be studying Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians. Today is the first day of our study; so come along and join us as we study God's Word!

Galatians 1 "Only 1 Good News"

There is a few things I want to cover regarding Galatians before we get started. I will be using Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Matthew Henry's Commentary and others for reference; just so you know I am not just making this stuff up.

~Galatians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul.
~It was written to the church in the Roman Province of Galatia
~The letter was written because the church of Galatia was teaching something other than the Good news of Jesus and the freedom He brings through faith in Him.
~The central theme is "Justification through Faith!"

Overview of Chapter 1

Verses 1-3 open the letter from Paul the apostle. It is his formal greeting to the church in Galatia. We also see in verse three the "Good News" in a nutshell....

3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 4 Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. 5 All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

Verses 6-10 Paul begins to declare what the problem is of the church of Galatia. They have turned away from the original teachings of Jesus Christ. They have allowed other guidance to seep in and direct them onto a wrong path. As we dig into Galatians, it will become clearer what the right instruction is "Justification by Faith" and the wrong training is "Salvation through works."

Verses 11-21 We see this chapter end with the beginning of Paul's personal testimony. He writes about his zealous heart as a Jewish leader, his radical salvation and his process of becoming an apostle of Jesus Christ.

There is one verse that really jumped off the page...

10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

This verse may seem strange to some; but to me it made a big impact. I love Paul's heart and I want to follow his example. So many times, I find myself trying to please people when in actuality I only need God's approval.

As humans, we strive so much in our lives and it is so easy for us to fall into old patterns of doing deeds to win favor. We always love that A+ on a paper we worked hard for. We love the accolades from a spouse. We work hard for promotions. We work, work, work to receive approval. That ends up being the Galatians big problem they begin trying to earn their way into heaven by following the law.

Getting God's approval is not by anything I do...I can never "do" anything to make things right with Him. The only thing that can make me right with God is faith in Jesus Christ: faith that He died for me, faith that He conquered death and the grave, faith that He rose again, faith that He alone is the one that can save me. I can only be made right with God through faith. I love this definition of faith.....

Hebrews 11:1 (New Living Translation)
1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

I admire Paul's boldness in dealing with the church of Galatia. He is compelled to preach the truth to please God. I want to make God happy. As I have faith in Him, I will bring joy to His heart. I am thankful for the free gift of salvation through His son Jesus the "Only One Good News". I am so thankful I do not have "do" anything to receive salvation....I could never "do" enough.

I will have faith and .....

31 Virtues for Our Kids ~ Faith

Over the next few months we will be praying for 31 Virtues for our Kids maybe even for ourselves too!

Luke 17:5-6 (New International Version)
5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"
6 He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.

Hebrews 11:1-40

Sometimes, faith is one of the very hardest of virtues to really grasp. It is an act of stepping out and believing in something you can't see, hear or feel. It is one of the biggest hurdles for many people and is the very thing that keeps them from knowing God. Faith is one of the biggest pieces of becoming a Christian. It is the biggest act of love from us toward God. Faith is saying, "I trust in You and Your Word even though I do not understand all that you have for me. But, I know you are True and You are who You say You are!"

We see in Luke 17:5-6 how far even a little faith can take us; and the faith that we have albeit small is more than efficient. True faith is enough to carry us. The only factor that can be an obstacle is implementing that faith. I find that doing as the apostles always helps....asking, "Lord, increase My Faith!" In Hebrews 11 we see the Heroes of Faith. Take some time to read these examples of faith. Keep in mind their humanity; but notice God's sufficiency!

I find that when I doubt I seek God more. My faith is my own based on a relationship with my God. My children's faith must also be their own. They must come to Christ on their own terms. As much as I would like to MAKE them be Christians...I can not, nor would I want that. Christ does not make us love Him...why would I ever consider making my children have to serve Christ. Christ does not treat us like puppets on strings. We always have a choice to love Him. I can not deny it is my hearts desire for them to serve Christ. I will give them as many opportunities and be an example of His love for them. I will then have faith in His promises that if I do my part He will do His.

Pr 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
(I blogged about this verse before...check it out!)

*"I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children's hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them."



*by Bob Hostetler, it is excerpted from Pray! magazine issue #4, 31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Kids

Some Kinda Crazy Faith

I have this wonderful friend at our church who has really challenged my faith in God today! We are praying together about a need that my family has. Wow! Was I humbled by her "Crazy" faith. I say "Crazy" because the world would see as just that "Crazy"! But when have I cared about what the world thinks????? Her faith is so amazing. She told me, "God heard her prayer and she is just waiting on Him to answer it." "Wow, Wow, Wow!" I thought. She really believes that my answer is already on the way. What do I need to do to believe it like her? I need to test God's promises!

Matthew 6:8
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Matthew 7
7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake
11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 18:19-21
19 Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.


OK I hear you God. Help me now to get it into my heart. I read up on a true story today about George Mueller. I find that reading about others faith really encourages my own. This amazing man trusted in God for everything. He never asked people for anything. He just trusted in God to provide. As a result he took care of thousands of orphans fully depending on God's provision. I challenge you to read about him. It will bless your heart. The amazing thing I researched was that his work continues even today. Check out the George Mueller Foundation! God's ways are so much bigger than our ways. What a testimony of God's provision beyond even what George could even imagine.

So, I am not going to tell you what we are praying for. I will tell you when God meets the need; because I am beginning to believe that need will serve more purposes than I can even imagine. It will be a fun testimony of His faithfulness. Friends, our God is able to do the impossible. I just need to believe it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Psalm 50
7Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God.
8 I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.
9 I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens,
10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.
12 If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?
14 Sacrifice thank- offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honour me.

Help me Lord to have even more "Crazy" faith then my friend and George. My God owns everything and He ALWAYS meets our needs!

Have Faith and....
GET JOY!