Faith and Works... A purpose and a plan

Faith and Works (James2:14-20)

14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

This is exactly what my husband has been telling me but not in so many words. He says, "so, what? Now that we believe, we just wait and bide our time until we die?"

Everyone is searching for meaning in life and this is it... God has a purpose for each one of us. And, for each one, it's different. For you, it may be helping young couples plan weddings based on a relationship with Christ, or helping an unwed mother make the tough decision to go against social opinion even when it costs her a relationship with her parents. It may be caring for the elderly or spreading God's word abroad.

For us, our mission, our God breathed purpose, is showing His love to the lost and hurting... The homeless and working poor in our area. God continues to bless this ministry that He has given us and He has a plan for you, too.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "for I know the plans I have for you, declares The Lord..."

What plan does He have for you? In Matthew 7:7, He says, "seek and you will find. Ask and it will be given... Knock and it (the door) will be opened." So, go to Him in prayer today. Ask Him to reveal His plan and purpose for your life and then step out in faith, believing that He will open the doors and will unfold that plan... His will... in and through you.

Corporate Worship through Music

Church services are otherwise labeled "Corporate Worship".  Therefore, when one goes to a church service, they are expecting certain things... mainly, the Praise and Worship of the Eternal King of kings.  So, what is Praise and Worship?  Praise is singing songs about God... His grace, wonderful works, mighty power... songs of thanksgiving for what He has done and/or promised to do.  Worship would also include songs of thanksgiving because true worship songs would be songs singing to God.  So, if praise songs sing about God and worship songs sing to God, how do secular songs fit in with praise and worship in a corporate worship setting?  Granted, there are some that may work but with so many true praise and worship songs, why would we need to delve into that gray territory?

Today's worshipper has so much rich music to choose from... there are classic praise and worship songs such as, "Great is Thy Faithfulness", "It is Well with My Soul", "Crown Him with Many Crowns", "Count Your Blessings", etc. and then, over the years, these songs have been added to with music from great songwriters like Andre Crouch ("Through it All"), Rich Mullins ("Awesome God"), and Bill Gaither ("Because He Lives").  And, as many of you will recognize, I've only used one song per person but they each have such a rich history of songs from which to select. 

To further add to our repertoire, we've now got songwriters such as Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, and David Crowder... again, each with so many songs from which to select.

If you are a worship leader at a local assembly, please prayerfully consider... will the songs that I'm selecting for this week truly usher our congregation into the presence of God?  Will they be inviting God into our assembly?  Will they be preparing hearts, as soil, to accept the Word of God?  Or will they be a distraction from the purpose of our time together.  Are these songs laid on my heart by God for a particular purpose for this week's message?

Also, please prayerfully keep in mind 1 Thessalonians 2:4, "... we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.  We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts."

Tell the Nations

During a recent devotion, I was reminded... We have a beautiful story to tell but are we telling it?  Do we share our secret with those around us or pretend that it is such a precious commodity that it must be hoarded and kept to ourselves?

So this song came to mind and the words are so true... We've a story to tell that will turn the darkness to dawn.  Are you telling HIS story?

We've a Story to Tell to the Nations

H. Ernest Nichol, 1862-1928 (CWH attrib to Colin Sterne)

1. We've a story to tell to the nations,

that shall turn their hearts to the right,
a story of truth and mercy,
a story of peace and light,
a story of peace and light.

Refrain:
For the darkness shall turn to the dawning,
and the dawning to noonday bright;
and Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,
the kingdom of love and light.

2. We've a song to be sung to the nations,
that shall lift their hearts to the Lord,
a song that shall conquer evil
and shatter the spear and sword,
and shatter the spear and sword.
(Refrain)

3. We've a message to give to the nations,
that the Lord who reigneth above
hath sent us his Son to save us,
and show us that God is love,
and show us that God is love.
(Refrain)

4. We've a Savior to show to the nations,
who the path of sorrow hath trod,
that all of the world's great peoples
might come to the truth of God,
might come to the truth of God.
(Refrain)