Tag: faith

Faith Without Works Is Dead

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14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James 2 NKJV – Beware of Personal Favoritism – My – Bible Gateway

 

Walk of Obedience

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Walking with God is a narrow path because few do it. It is full of bumps, of cliffs, of brooks of various depth and width, of missing ground (where you have to leap to get to the other side), of blisters to your feet, of sunburn and bugs bites, of countless tiring efforts, and of pain at times. However, I would not go back to walking the other way, in the larger path, for walking with God is the most amazing thing I have experienced.

I am always amazed to behold His work in every detail and every circumstance He puts me in. As I told a friend,

I don’t force faith, it is something I have because God is a living presence in my life.

I am not here to tell you what to do or what to believe in, I can only bear witness to what God does in my life and tell you why I choose to walk in obedience to Him.

  • Time and time again, He puts me in a situation where I have no other choice but to rely on Him… Regardless of what I think, of what I feel, of what I wish, I say yes to Him.
  • Through this walk of obedience, He teaches me (through comparison, through experience, through observation) and I love learning… I have a thirst for knowledge, I like understanding the “what”, the “why” and the “how” of things so I can be further amazed by His work.
  • Walking in obedience leads you to the truth (about yourself and others) if you have the humility to listen to the Holy Spirit.

Often, He has me doing things I would not do on my own (because the flesh says it doesn’t feel like it or it is afraid), and yet I choose to do them because it helps somebody, because doing so brings me closer to God, because I learn through it, because partaking in His work as His instrument is a great honour, because watching Him in the midst of it is something I will not ever get tired of.

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Make no mistake, choosing obedience requires faith, but I put my trust in God. He is Almighty, that’s all I really need to know.

 

An Approved Workman

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14 Remind them of these things, commanding them before the Lord that they not argue about words, which leads to nothing of value and to the destruction of those who hear them. 15 Study to show yourself approved by God, a workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But avoid profane foolish babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness, 17 and their word will spread like gangrene: Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and who overthrow the faith of some. 19 But the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who calls on the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

20 In a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some are for honor, and some for dishonor.21 One who cleanses himself from these things will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, fit for the Master’s use, and prepared for every good work.

22 So flee youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and unlearned debates, knowing that they create strife. 24 The servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be gentle toward all people, able to teach, patient, 25 in gentleness instructing those in opposition. Perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth,26 and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

2 Timothy 2:14-26

 

God’s Comforting Presence

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4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

Isaiah 54:4 (KJV)

God’s words to me in a moment when I needed reassurance that I would get through the hardship I am experiencing.

This difficult time is making me closer to God. I seek His presence,  His advice, and His comfort. He is who keeps me together, who gives me the strength to pull through and who keeps me strong in my faith in Him.

The Lord is my strength.

His Promise

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” Listen to me carefully.

Stop running aimlessly in every direction, calm down and stand still, I have something important to say to you. You can count on one thing… my love for you. I love you!


Look around you, there is nothing to fear because I am here by your side… always, no matter what.

You are not alone.

You are one strong and beautiful soul, if only you were able to see all the beauty there is in you, you would stop feeling so worthless.

You need to heal; your pain will go away, trust me. I will be there to assist you with that, I will help you stand up again and then you and I will walk together, side by side.

Your days of rejection are over and you won’t be left behind. ”

– God

His Work in Your Life

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Colorful beachHave you ever felt this eerie sense that you clearly see how He is working in your life?

It happened to me this weekend. I was done reading a book (an essay rather than a novel) on the life of Jesus-Christ; and my husband came to me with a question. Once he voiced it, I could feel how special a moment this was; it was a divinely choreographed moment.

God has been guiding him in a most peculiar way, and my husband asked me why He was doing so. Then it hit me like a brick; I knew God’s purpose in doing that. I said to him, “He’s doing it this way to teach you to trust Him. He also wants you to develop your relationship with Him, and that’s His way to tell you. Following His teachings will also show you your own capacity and grow your self-esteem. It will make you, and others, see that you are, with Him, more capable than anybody thinks, including you.”

For months now, I have been reading how-to blogs and handbooks, attending webinars on writing, and researching the miracle recipe for success and I am nowhere near feeling I am adequate for the job. Oh, I did learn many invaluable things about the art of writing, but I am just overwhelmed with the impossibility of task before me.

I understand practice makes perfect, and I can fathom how something very much imperfect can fulfill its specific purpose; yet I do not feel up to par and can only say that it will all be His doing. Whatever I touch on my own will not amount to anything.

With this said, I figured that I have to do my part, which means I have to learn the craft, I have to write, and I have to have faith in Him, in His work with me. He knew me before He made me; what else do I need to know?

I know what I will gain from doing the work He is asking me to do, but I cannot see how this could help somebody else. This part belongs to Him.

And now, while writing this blog, I see He means to do the same thing with me that he did with my husband; on a different level mind you and rather differently, but the purpose is the very same.

Being aware of these things is a blessing, one I am grateful for. Had I not known God’s purpose in doing what He does with both my husband and me, I would have missed one of the ways in which He makes his presence known in our lives.

Thank-you for the blessings You are allowing in my family and for showing me your presence in it. Thank you for allowing me to see Your handy work and your love.

When God is a Business

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I browse the Internet every day,  and on at least four days out of seven, I research the self-publishing industry, writers’ associations and what not… just about anything related to the task of writing a novel and getting it published.

Needless to say, advice abounds. Everyone (whether individual or associations) has a blog, offers services, holds contests, etc. You name it, you will find it!

This whole thing has me shaking my head; this is all about money. God has become a commercial theme. What happened to wanting to spread stories about God’s love to our peers? What happened to telling stories that soothe the soul and the aching heart? What happened to telling stories about being made whole again through God’s love and blessings? What happened to reminding people that all they need is God, that He loves them? What happened to letting the Holy Spirit work through our words?

The process should be simple; there are too many people involved, too many steps to follow. Only the fittest will survive.

It saddens me to see that there is no room for the innocence of the soul, for the beauty of God’s love painted with words of truth, for the truth in its simplest expression. Publishing is done with a key, one you have to follow, one that gives you the only way to have it done because it has been set up that way.

Personally, I have no choice but letting this endeavor into God’s Hands because He knows (and I know all too well) that I cannot do a thing. I am in over my head. I stare at the finish line, contemplate where I am today, and all that comes to mind is “it will take nothing short of a miracle to get there”.

Thy will be done.