October 26, 2008

     Are You A Friend Of God?  

James 2:14-26  

 

James 2:14-26 Faith without Good Deeds Is Dead 14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing,16 and you say, "Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well"—but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?   17 So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.   18 Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." But I say, "How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds."   19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God.* Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.20 How foolish! Can't you see that faith without good deeds is useless?   21 Don't you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete.23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith."* He was even called the friend of God.*24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.   25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road.26 Just as the body is dead without breath,* so also faith is dead without good works.

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Thoughts...

There are many translations to read the word of God.  Even many different ways of saying the same thing by the same Publisher.  The New Living Translation by Tyndale House, which I use, has many different years of printings and updatings per, I'm guessing, the latest in English language vernacular and understanding.  But any way you slice the cake, it still means the same thing and requires us to ask ourselves the same question:  Am I a friend of God?  

In the reference above, it indicates a friend of God is one who believes in God.  But believing in God is not enough, as we see here.  God wants us to show him how much we love him and believe in him by acting on our faith.  Verse 22 says our actions make our faith complete.  We are right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.  And not just doing right in our quiet moments, but in moments where others can see our faith acted upon...a testimony of sorts that God lives and he lives in us.  It's that kind of faith that brings others to an understanding of who God is and who God is in our lives.  And who he can be to others and what he can mean in their lives.  

So, are you a friend of God?  If not, will you become one today?  If you have not received God into your life and Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please read this whole page and receive him into your life today.  If you do know God and have him in your heart and Jesus as your Lord and Savior, are you their friend?  Has Holy Spirit embraced you and have you embraced him?  Are you known by God and are you his friend?  Do others know you and your faith in God by your works?  

In James 4 it says, "Don't you realize that friendship with this world makes you an enemy of God?  I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy this world, you can't be a friend of God."  Make the choice to choose God and he will choose to call you friend.  James 4 goes on to say, "When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor."  Be raised to new heights of glory as God's friend today.  

Don't just say you are a child of God.  Be a friend of, to and for God.  Act on your belief.  Do.  Show him how much you love him today....every day...in forever ways.  Blessings upon you! 

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Let Us Pray

Well, God, you did it to me again.  You made me realize how I am not everything you need me to be.  And yet, I am reminded of the good jobs I did this week in helping all of your children..my brothers and sisters in you...2 legged and 4 legged furries alike.  I couldn't have done it without you, Lord, thank you.  I am humbled by this experience of being made aware of how imperfect I am.  But in you, I shall be made perfect someday.  I know that I am being groomed to be a better Christian.  So I am grateful for these telling moments, so that my testimony may be stronger for you, and others may see you though me.  Oh, my goodness, do I have work to do for you....err....and in me.  Thank you for drawing out into the light, all the things that are not of you, so I can pray to be cleansed and request more of you.  Dear Heavenly Father God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit....please forgive me of my sins, heal me and make me whole, help me to hear you better and answer you MUCH better.  I want to be all you need me to be for you and for all the others around me...as well as for myself, Lord.  For how can I love others, if I don't love myself first?  You say, 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself."  Help me to love myself better, but not a selfish love, but a selfless love.  That I may let you in more.  That I might do for others more.  And let me remember that my nearest neighbor is the person(s) in my home.  Whether it be a spouse, parent, or sibling...or the four legged furry, 2 winged bird, or other.  I am commanded to love them as myself.  Not giving up for them, but giving to them for you.  And where abuse is active, I have a responsibility to not let the doors of your temple be beat upon.  I have a responsibility to walk away to keep you and me safe.  To find sanctuary in you first, so you will help me find me again, putting you first, not another.  Help me, Lord, to do all things through you who gives me strength....to be your friend first.  To l'ove you more dearly and follow you more nearly....day by day'.  Thank you, Lord, for this new day.  A day I have been allotted to become new again and be more right with you.  A day to show you how much I love you and can be your friend.  Thank you, Lord, again and again and again and again.  I love you.  Me

 Amen 

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Psalm 84

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,

  O LORD of Heaven's Armies.

2 I long, yes, I faint with longing

  to enter the courts of the LORD.

With my whole being, body and soul,

  I will shout joyfully to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home,

  and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young

at a place near your altar,

  O LORD of Heaven's Armies, my King and my God!

4 What joy for those who can live in your house,

  always singing your praises.    Interlude



5 What joy for those whose strength comes from the LORD,

  who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

6 When they walk through the Valley of Weeping,*

  it will become a place of refreshing springs.

  The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.

7 They will continue to grow stronger,

  and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.*



8 O LORD God of Heaven's Armies, hear my prayer.

  Listen, O God of Jacob.    Interlude



9 O God, look with favor upon the king, our shield!

  Show favor to the one you have anointed.



10 A single day in your courts

  is better than a thousand anywhere else!

I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God

  than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.

11 For the LORD God is our sun and our shield.

  He gives us grace and glory.

The LORD will withhold no good thing

  from those who do what is right.

12 O LORD of Heaven's Armies,

  what joy for those who trust in you.

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 Alleluia...alleluia...alleluia...alleluia...allelulia...alleluia...alleluia...alleluia......

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