Working Your Faith

Work Your Faith - Exercise The Truth

Acts 24:16 KJV
 "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.."

It is two very different things to know the truth and to exercise - to put into motion - what you know to be the truth. We need to start exercising those truths.

We can know that physical exercise is good for our body and that would be "true". However, just to know it's true isn't enough. If you want to see results, then you must put that truth into motion. As one exercises their body, there will be a change.

If you are looking for change in your life or looking to see a change in someone else - peace, joy, blessings, etc. - it's time to start exercising the truths that you know.

Let's read what James has to say about it:

James 2:14 - 26 NIV
Faith Without Works (Deeds) Is Dead

14  What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
15  Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.
16  If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?
17  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18  But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
19  You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20  You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
21  Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
22  You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
23  And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
24  You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25  In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
26  As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Focus on consistently exercising Scripture in your life every day - day after day. It's one thing to know a truth, but another thing (and an essential thing) to put it into practice through exercise - through "works".

So, what do you say we put on our work clothes! It's time to be moving and be putting feet on our faith and prayer life. Amen?

Outside Our Window

Outside Our Window

John 4:35
"Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest".

Here’s an interesting fact about American church history that you may not have known. Years ago, when the first New England churches were designed, they were built with clear windows rather than the stained glass ones we see so often today. The graveyard was generally built in the churchyard, which could be seen clearly from the pulpit by the minister by simply looking out the window.

Why do you think that was?

Interestingly enough; it was so that the pastor could see the graveyard while he preached his sermon and be reminded of the urgency of his message. It was equally important to be able to see out so he would be reminded that everyone who sat in the pews before him as he spoke, would eventually fill a place in that cemetery outside the window and ultimately have to stand before God to be judged.

Can you imagine the weight of that?

Back during those times, the first and foremost priority of the church was to bring men and women into a right relationship with the Lord. That was the goal; that was the plan. Not to meet quotas, or bring in a certain amount of money in tithes. Not to entertain or wow with theatrics but to simply see people begin and then build on a relationship with God the Father.

What has happened to us that we have started building churches with windows that you can’t see out of or see in to?

What happened to us that we began to lock the doors of the church building at a certain time - locked doors that prevents people that are desperately seeking God at 1 o'clock in the morning from being able to find that solace that being in the church brings?

What has happened to us that we are more concerned with what other people are wearing on the outside than the state of their mortal souls they have on the inside?

We have changed. As a church, as a people, as a society. Sadly; not for the better. There is still a harvest outside of our windows.
 
The only question remains is:
What do you plan to do about it?