True Faith

FAITH:

James 2:14-20 tells us the substance of true faith,

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 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? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 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. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

My favorite translation of this last verse is, “Faith without actions that correspond is dead.” Faith must have actions that correspond with it.

You can talk about catching fish, about what lures you are going to use, and how you are going to cook them after you catch them, but if you never throw a line in the water, you are not going to catch a fish.

Or it’s like the golfer who comes to a 3-par hole with a lake right in front of the green and says, “No problem, I can hit that green with my six iron.” Then he digs out an old ratty golf ball. If he truly believes he can hit the green, he will hit his brand new $3 golf ball!

For faith to be genuine, it has to have corresponding actions.

When speaking of faith, it is critical to talk about the motive of our faith. James 4:2-3 tells us what a wrong motive is,

You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

God is very concerned about the “why” behind our prayers of faith. He is very interested in the state of our hearts. And I think it is good to check our motives from time to time.

Why do we want what we want? Is it ego driven? Am I asking for it because I want to impress someone? Are my motives right?

Now, you don’t have to overdo it. You can over analyze things to the point that you become spiritually frozen and don’t do anything. I think if you will get honest and lay your heart out before God, He will very quickly put the spotlight on the things that should not be there.

Our dog always stands at the back door and scratches on the glass like he really loves us and wants to come in and be with us. But the moment you open the door he runs right by you into the kitchen looking for food.

Why do you want the thing you want? What is the purpose behind asking? Is it for the glory of God? Is it to help people? Is there a pure motive there?

When your motive is right, God will not be long in answering. But if your motive is not right, God won’t answer until it gets right. by Bayless Conley

FRIENDS:

Father, we will never learn faith in comfortable surroundings. You give us the promises with your word, then you step back and wait to see how much we believe them. When the tempter comes and all seems to contradict what you have spoken, it is then when faith wins it's crown. That is the time to look up through the storms and cry out to You, "I believe." Help us when we falter. In Jesus' name, Amen

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE ~July~

1. Luke 7:11-17; Colossians 1:1-14; Psalms 123-124; 1 Chronicles 1-2
2. Luke 7: 18-35; Colossians 1:15-29; Psalms 125; 1 Chronicles 3-4

~1 Chronicles ~
Ever been held up by a grandparent?

You naively ask how the grandkids are, and before you know it the purse opens and out pops a billfold, thick with pictures.

"This is Joey in the third grade holding his puppy named Snapper. And this is Joey in the fourth grade on his little league team where he played second base. And this is Joey in the fifth grade. The kid behind him is his cousin Terry who is living in Seattle with his dad. I've got some pictures of them I'll show you in just a minute. But first let me show you Joey in the seventh grade wearing his football uniform......"

Yawn.

Hard to stay interested hearing names of people you'll never see who live in places you'll never know.

Such is the case with the Book of First Chronicles. Full of names, many hard to pronounce. Full of places you'll never see. The book won't keep you on the edge of your seat. It wasn't intended to. It will, however provide you with a catalog of facts and names of people who matter to God.

Which reminds us of an encouraging truth: God keeps up with his children. He knows their names and keeps them in a book. What may be dry to us matters to him, beause they are his kids. by the way, he's working on a new volume. This one is entitled the Book of Life

Is your name in it?

FOOD:

It can be made with apples and pears in the winter and peaches and
blackberries in the summer. Make it in giant casserole pans and
individual ramekins. It's impossible to screw up. And while there are
people who claim you need a bottom crust, perhaps some cinnamon or
baking soda, I think simple is better. If your fruit is ripe, you can't go wrong.

Easy, Foolproof Cobbler for Any Fruit
makes enough for a 9x9 baking dish

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar, plus a bit more for sprinkling
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
fresh berries or fruit (peeled and cut into chunks) about 4 cups

Combine the flour and sugar. Add the butter, mixing as you go, until
the mixture forms a soft dough. It can be slightly crumbly, but you
want it to hold together when you squeeze it.

Spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Put the fruit in the
dish — you will probably need about 4 cups of berries or chopped fruit.
You want to create a thick layer that comes about two inches up the sides.

If the fruit is particularly tart, sprinkle with a light layer of sugar. If the fruit is soft and sweet, you don't need it.

Take the dough by the handful and pat it into disks that are about
1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick. Lay them on top of the fruit, continuing
with the patties, until it is covered. Bake the cobbler at 350 degrees
for about 45-50 minutes, until the crust is light golden brown. Let
cool slightly, then serve with ice cream.

Note: In my family, we find cobbler is even better the next day, cold
and firm from the fridge.


FUN: