Faith That Works

Wow! What a weekend we all had! Tim and Cario Stewart had told me that we have broken the 100 mark of those in attendance for our last Saturday's 5th Annual Christmas banquet! Finally, after 4 years of "Showing Jesus" to our visitors during the banquet, God provided the triple digits! Even with the triple digits, some of our members could not attend the banquet this year.

I want to extend my thanks to all those who took part of the planning, set-up and clean-up! Without each of you, there will be no banquet to celebrate Jesus and to shine our light and love on those whom we have invited. May God bless those who have served. A very special thanks to our chairpersons, Dennis and Cindi Cesone, for their hard work keeping us focused and prepared! Again, what an awesome weekend! God is good!

Let's talk about "Faith That Works"... James offers several similarities to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount than any other book in the New Testament. James relied "heavily" on Jesus' teaching and this is something we, as Christians, ought to do: "Rely Heavily On God's Word!". Here's the lesson:

1. When your life is full of difficulties and persecutions, guess what? BE GLAD! A reward awaits you! (James 1:2, Mt. 5:10-12)
2. You are to be PERFECT, MATURE, and COMPLETE, not lacking anything. (James 1:4, Mt. 5:48)
3. ASK God, and He will answer. (James 1:5; 5:15, Mt. 7:7-12)
4. Those who are HUMBLE (who don't amount much by the world's standards) should REJOICE in their position as those whom God loves. (James 1:9, Mt. 5:3)
5. Watch out for your ANGER. . . . . It can be dangerous! (James 1:20, Mt. 5:22)
6. Be MERCIFUL to others, as God is MERCIFUL to you. (James 2:13, Mt. 5:7; 6:14)
7. Your FAITH to others express itself in helping others. (James 2:14-16, Mt. 7:21-23)
8. Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS; they sow in peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:17-18, Mt. 5:9)
9. When we HUMBLE ourselves and realize our need for God, He will come to us and lift us up. (James 4:10, Mt. 5:3-4)
10. Don't SLANDER or speak against others, it speaks against God's command to love one another. (James 4:11, Mt. 7:1-2)
11. Be PATIENT in suffering, as God's prophets were PATIENT! (James 5:10, Mt. 5:12)

If we do not rely heavily on God's Word everyday, then how can we grow in faith? If we only learn God's Word on Sundays and Wednesdays, then how can we become strong in the faith? When we do the things that pleases God, won't you hear God speak to your heart saying, "Well done, my faithful servant!" Do the faith that works!

God, we're so blessed to have You in our lives! We feel Your love as we continue to worship You and serve out Your Will in Your Kingdom! Blessed be Your Name, Lord! Blessed be Your Name! Pray that we will grow to be a mature Christian before You. Please help us learn these important characteristics of faith. Our strength comes from You! Especially, when we face trials of all kinds, help us be GLAD! We rejoice in Your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen!