"You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected." James 2:22
This "faith and works" passage in James is familiar to most Christians. We've all learned that faith without works is useless (2:20) since such a faith hardly inspires others to believe or to kindle a life-changing relationship with our Heavenly Father ("can that faith save him?" v. 14).
But this week God showed me a different spin on this passage. I always saw it as faith being dependent on works, meaning our faith really isn't mature until we allow it to manifest itself in our works. This viewpoint is still as true as ever, but really, faith and works are co-dependent. Works depend on faith just as much as faith depends on works.
The fact is, practicing works usually requires faith from us, especially in difficult situations. Choosing to worship when you feel despondent, choosing to give to the poor when your bank account is running on empty, even choosing to read your Bible when you're dead-tired are all works that require faith.
When we carry out a faith-based work, we inspire others and point them to the One who placed that work upon our hearts. And by doing that work, we exercise the very faith it takes to carry it out.
Faith is perfected through our works (v. 22). Carrying out those works prevents our faith from being useless, or worse, dead (vs. 17 and 26). Faith and works build upon each other; they make each other stronger and more lasting. Faith requires works, and works require faith. We can't have one without the other.
September 17, 2011
September 14, 2011
what I've learned from Naomi.
This morning I was looking through past entries in my journal. I mostly use my journal for jotting down sermon notes and devotionals, as well as any dreams or words of knowledge that God gives me for myself or others. I find it particularly interesting to go back one year and see where I was and maybe (hopefully) see how much I've changed.
Around this time last year, underneath a Sunday message, I had this jotted down....
"The name 'Naomi' has been on my heart for awhile now, and I wasn't sure why until this morning when we got to ministry time [a time in our service where people can go up if they want prayer]. I was praying to God about risk-taking and stepping out [the very point of the message I had just heard!] and He brought up Naomi again. He told me that up till now I've been more of a Naomi than a Ruth; stuck living in a cave, grieving my losses while someone else goes out and gathers sheaves. He's calling me out to be more like Ruth in my boldness to step out and work in His kingdom, but to also maintain the wisdom Naomi had to instruct Ruth on how to do so."
Remember the story of Mary and Martha, and how Mary chose the better part by lingering at Jesus' feet rather than jumping up to help Martha in the kitchen? I think a balance between the two is required of us most days; spending that precious time with our Heavenly Father, while still serving others and doing our little part to further the Kingdom.
The same is true in the case of Naomi and Ruth. We tend to sympathize more with Ruth (and why not? The whole book is named after her, not to mention she's the one who lands herself a husband and a son by the end!), but let's not forget what Naomi can teach us. This is a woman whose worst nightmare came true. She lost her husband and two sons, and was forced to return to her homeland in order to have any hope of surviving on her own. And she was blessed with the company of Ruth, her widowed daughter-in-law who refused to leave her. Ruth gathered sheaves in the fields of their kinsmen-redeemer, Boaz, and long story short, the two got married and blessed Naomi with a grandson to care for.
I'm not sure why, but I always picture them living in a cave when they got to Bethlehem. Maybe I read that somewhere else, but my Bible doesn't say they did. But even if they didn't live in a physical cave, you have to agree that Naomi was dwelling in an emotional one for sure. She even told her friends, "I went out full, but the Lord has brought me back empty" (Ruth 1:21). She stayed in that cave while Ruth went out to keep them fed.
But Naomi still had a purpose. She lovingly advised Ruth when it came to gleaning in Boaz's fields, and kind of played matchmaker in a way (check out her counsel that led to the somewhat-shocking threshing floor proposal in chapter 3!). Although she felt that God had afflicted her (1:21), Naomi still retained His love and wisdom, and allowed those things to manifest themselves in her dealings with Ruth to bless her as well. And because of her faith in the midst of grief and uncertainty, Naomi became the catalyst that led to not only a marriage, but to the restoration of her name and family, as well as the birth of the child Obed who's in the very lineage of Jesus Christ.
So I think it's okay to have a little Naomi in all of us. That part of us may get scared or emotional in times of struggle, but as long as we remain faithful in the One who is guiding us through, the wisdom and love He pours out on us can certainly spill onto others. But don't be afraid of having a little Ruth in you either, since some difficult times also require us to roll up our sleeves and get to work in the fields, all the while receiving counsel from other wise Christians. It's all about balance. Some situations require more Naomi than Ruth, or vice versa. Just don't write Naomi off. All you have to do is read Ruth's story to see she was more important to the outcome than most of us realize!
Around this time last year, underneath a Sunday message, I had this jotted down....
"The name 'Naomi' has been on my heart for awhile now, and I wasn't sure why until this morning when we got to ministry time [a time in our service where people can go up if they want prayer]. I was praying to God about risk-taking and stepping out [the very point of the message I had just heard!] and He brought up Naomi again. He told me that up till now I've been more of a Naomi than a Ruth; stuck living in a cave, grieving my losses while someone else goes out and gathers sheaves. He's calling me out to be more like Ruth in my boldness to step out and work in His kingdom, but to also maintain the wisdom Naomi had to instruct Ruth on how to do so."
Remember the story of Mary and Martha, and how Mary chose the better part by lingering at Jesus' feet rather than jumping up to help Martha in the kitchen? I think a balance between the two is required of us most days; spending that precious time with our Heavenly Father, while still serving others and doing our little part to further the Kingdom.
The same is true in the case of Naomi and Ruth. We tend to sympathize more with Ruth (and why not? The whole book is named after her, not to mention she's the one who lands herself a husband and a son by the end!), but let's not forget what Naomi can teach us. This is a woman whose worst nightmare came true. She lost her husband and two sons, and was forced to return to her homeland in order to have any hope of surviving on her own. And she was blessed with the company of Ruth, her widowed daughter-in-law who refused to leave her. Ruth gathered sheaves in the fields of their kinsmen-redeemer, Boaz, and long story short, the two got married and blessed Naomi with a grandson to care for.
I'm not sure why, but I always picture them living in a cave when they got to Bethlehem. Maybe I read that somewhere else, but my Bible doesn't say they did. But even if they didn't live in a physical cave, you have to agree that Naomi was dwelling in an emotional one for sure. She even told her friends, "I went out full, but the Lord has brought me back empty" (Ruth 1:21). She stayed in that cave while Ruth went out to keep them fed.
But Naomi still had a purpose. She lovingly advised Ruth when it came to gleaning in Boaz's fields, and kind of played matchmaker in a way (check out her counsel that led to the somewhat-shocking threshing floor proposal in chapter 3!). Although she felt that God had afflicted her (1:21), Naomi still retained His love and wisdom, and allowed those things to manifest themselves in her dealings with Ruth to bless her as well. And because of her faith in the midst of grief and uncertainty, Naomi became the catalyst that led to not only a marriage, but to the restoration of her name and family, as well as the birth of the child Obed who's in the very lineage of Jesus Christ.
So I think it's okay to have a little Naomi in all of us. That part of us may get scared or emotional in times of struggle, but as long as we remain faithful in the One who is guiding us through, the wisdom and love He pours out on us can certainly spill onto others. But don't be afraid of having a little Ruth in you either, since some difficult times also require us to roll up our sleeves and get to work in the fields, all the while receiving counsel from other wise Christians. It's all about balance. Some situations require more Naomi than Ruth, or vice versa. Just don't write Naomi off. All you have to do is read Ruth's story to see she was more important to the outcome than most of us realize!
September 6, 2011
hope for when we stumble
"For whoever keeps the whole law yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." James 2:10
"Mercy triumphs over judgment." James 2:13b
As I read through the first part of the second chapter of James this afternoon, I couldn't help but ruminate over the last few days, few weeks, few months, and count just how many times I've stumbled. And forget about just stumbling in "one point," for me it's more along the lines of "at least ten."
When I read verse 10, I checked out the scriptural cross-references for the word "stumble," and found hope for my discouragement:
First, James 3:2 tells us that "we all stumble in many ways." You got that right! I was thankful for the reminder that we all struggle in different areas, and even on the straightest path we will all encounter times when we stumble. So I'm not alone in this.
Second, 2 Peter 1:10 instructs us to practice certain "things" so that we will never stumble. If we look earlier in the passage, we find those "things" he's talking about: faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. Kind of like the fruits of the Spirit on steroids! They all seem build upon each other, and while it's nice to have the list, it's also a little daunting at the same time. How in the world can anyone keep this up in order not to stumble?
That's where the last reference comes in. The twenty-fourth verse in the very brief yet very powerful book of Jude tells us that God is "able to keep us from stumbling." So we don't have to do it on our own. He knows that without Him we're weak, but He also knows that with Him we're strong and capable of so much more than we realize. So many times the wrong thinking jumpstarts my guilt during times of stumbling; I figure that since I'm human, I'm also weak and useless, and there's nothing that can help me change. I'm thinking that's the mindset in which the enemy wants me to stay.
What I need to realize is that I don't have to be weak and useless. That's part of Jesus' transforming work on the cross, as well as His resurrection; our old self with its sinful nature died with Him, and when He rose from the dead, He unlocked brand new lives for each of us as well. I'm certain that this is good news for so many others too, unless I miss my guess on how alike we all really are.
Now, as long as we're on this earth, we will struggle with certain temptations and sins. That's our flesh trying to get us to return to our old ways. And we will most likely stumble from time to time. But God is quick to show mercy to us (James 2:13), and if we abide in Him, we have access to more power and grace than we ever thought possible. If you've stumbled, ask God to take your hands and help you stand back up. Dust off your knees, wipe your brow, and follow Him up that path He has for you. I can think of no better guide than the One who laid the road.
"Mercy triumphs over judgment." James 2:13b
As I read through the first part of the second chapter of James this afternoon, I couldn't help but ruminate over the last few days, few weeks, few months, and count just how many times I've stumbled. And forget about just stumbling in "one point," for me it's more along the lines of "at least ten."
When I read verse 10, I checked out the scriptural cross-references for the word "stumble," and found hope for my discouragement:
First, James 3:2 tells us that "we all stumble in many ways." You got that right! I was thankful for the reminder that we all struggle in different areas, and even on the straightest path we will all encounter times when we stumble. So I'm not alone in this.
Second, 2 Peter 1:10 instructs us to practice certain "things" so that we will never stumble. If we look earlier in the passage, we find those "things" he's talking about: faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. Kind of like the fruits of the Spirit on steroids! They all seem build upon each other, and while it's nice to have the list, it's also a little daunting at the same time. How in the world can anyone keep this up in order not to stumble?
That's where the last reference comes in. The twenty-fourth verse in the very brief yet very powerful book of Jude tells us that God is "able to keep us from stumbling." So we don't have to do it on our own. He knows that without Him we're weak, but He also knows that with Him we're strong and capable of so much more than we realize. So many times the wrong thinking jumpstarts my guilt during times of stumbling; I figure that since I'm human, I'm also weak and useless, and there's nothing that can help me change. I'm thinking that's the mindset in which the enemy wants me to stay.
What I need to realize is that I don't have to be weak and useless. That's part of Jesus' transforming work on the cross, as well as His resurrection; our old self with its sinful nature died with Him, and when He rose from the dead, He unlocked brand new lives for each of us as well. I'm certain that this is good news for so many others too, unless I miss my guess on how alike we all really are.
Now, as long as we're on this earth, we will struggle with certain temptations and sins. That's our flesh trying to get us to return to our old ways. And we will most likely stumble from time to time. But God is quick to show mercy to us (James 2:13), and if we abide in Him, we have access to more power and grace than we ever thought possible. If you've stumbled, ask God to take your hands and help you stand back up. Dust off your knees, wipe your brow, and follow Him up that path He has for you. I can think of no better guide than the One who laid the road.
August 16, 2011
quick thoughts on anger
"...the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God."
~James 1:20
I read this verse a few weeks ago and have meditated on it a bit since then.
In the book of Ephesians, Paul advises us to "be angry, and yet do not sin" (4:26). He knew that as humans, anger is an inevitable emotion for all of us in this fallen world. But he also knew that without the love of God in our hearts, this anger can become a catalyst in the manifestation of any number of sins since without His help, we have no hope of controlling this powerful emotion on our own.
Being angry on occasion is normal, and sometimes even beneficial if we keep tabs on it and deal with it properly. But we're not designed to harbor our anger continuously. That's where the above verse in James comes in. Even if we call on God's help in the midst of an episode of anger, and we are successful in avoiding any kind of sin during that time, I really think being angry for an extended period of time can prevent us from running after His righteousness and blessings. Of course there are exceptions to this rule; sometimes righteous indignation combined with Providence can certainly further God's kingdom (such as Jesus turning over the money-changers' tables in the Temple). But for the most part, we're better off if we deal with our anger quickly and concisely, without giving in to the temptation to sin and without letting our anger keep us from doing what God has called us to do.
I'm usually not one to act out on my anger; I tend to be more prone to stuffing my anger inside and letting it stew instead. But I'm thinking that doing this is really just as bad as physically acting out my anger. If I'm angry at someone, and do nothing to fix the situation, I'm usually rendered useless in regards to His kingdom. In addition, that anger makes me vulnerable toward more attacks from the Enemy; just check out a later verse in that passage in James, where he says that allowing our anger to remain in us only gives the devil "an opportunity" (v. 27), or in other translations, "a foothold." Anger will only beget more anger, and that anger will only beget sin, unless we call on God the minute that powerful emotion sets in and ask for His help in resolving it. A life bent toward achieving His righteousness can't be spent wading in the mucky waters of anger and bitterness.
June 24, 2011
first fruits
"In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures." James 1:18
God brought us forth by exercising His will. This suggests a deliberate, premeditated, and purposeful action on His part. Wherever He has brought you today, it was not the result of an afterthought, a mistake, or simply a lack of action on His part. He has a will, and He never hesitates to exercise it.
God also brought us forth by the word of truth. 1 Peter 1:23 goes further to say we have been "born again...through the living and enduring word of God." He spoke the world into existence, and He spoke you into existence. His loving words not only brought us into this physical realm, but also into a lasting, amazing relationship with Him if we accept His outstretched hand and invitation.
What does it mean to be part of God's first fruits? Based on Jeremiah 2:3 and Revelations 14:4 (scriptures that were footnotes for this verse in my bible), I think it means to be set apart as holy to the Lord. In the Jeremiah scripture, the prophet states that anyone who "devours" Israel will be overtaken by disaster. So not only does God set us apart as holy, He also provides a hedge of protection around us to help keep us holy.
Additionally, being a first fruit is living your life as your sacrifice to God. First fruits of the harvest were always set aside and offered up to God as a sacrifice of thanks, a humble way of thanking Him for protecting the crops and for His sovereignty.
The verse from Revelation that's referenced above describes "chaste" followers of God following the Lamb wherever He goes, and that they "have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb" (14:4). So being a first fruit means you follow Jesus....wherever He goes and wherever He takes you. It means that you have been bought with a price, and as a result your overwhelming gratitude becomes one of the many reasons why all you want to do is follow Him.
I'm a far way away from really appreciating what it means to be one of God's first fruits. Since these first fruits are described as "among men" or "among His creatures," that means, of course, that these first fruits are set apart and certainly do not include all of God's creation. So with the many labels I'm continually adding to my identity (Chosen. Royal. Loved. Saved.), I'm adding another one to the list: First Fruit. May I continue to delve further into this part of my identity as His child.
The Means...
God brought us forth by exercising His will. This suggests a deliberate, premeditated, and purposeful action on His part. Wherever He has brought you today, it was not the result of an afterthought, a mistake, or simply a lack of action on His part. He has a will, and He never hesitates to exercise it.
God also brought us forth by the word of truth. 1 Peter 1:23 goes further to say we have been "born again...through the living and enduring word of God." He spoke the world into existence, and He spoke you into existence. His loving words not only brought us into this physical realm, but also into a lasting, amazing relationship with Him if we accept His outstretched hand and invitation.
...to the End.
What does it mean to be part of God's first fruits? Based on Jeremiah 2:3 and Revelations 14:4 (scriptures that were footnotes for this verse in my bible), I think it means to be set apart as holy to the Lord. In the Jeremiah scripture, the prophet states that anyone who "devours" Israel will be overtaken by disaster. So not only does God set us apart as holy, He also provides a hedge of protection around us to help keep us holy.
Additionally, being a first fruit is living your life as your sacrifice to God. First fruits of the harvest were always set aside and offered up to God as a sacrifice of thanks, a humble way of thanking Him for protecting the crops and for His sovereignty.
The verse from Revelation that's referenced above describes "chaste" followers of God following the Lamb wherever He goes, and that they "have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb" (14:4). So being a first fruit means you follow Jesus....wherever He goes and wherever He takes you. It means that you have been bought with a price, and as a result your overwhelming gratitude becomes one of the many reasons why all you want to do is follow Him.
I'm a far way away from really appreciating what it means to be one of God's first fruits. Since these first fruits are described as "among men" or "among His creatures," that means, of course, that these first fruits are set apart and certainly do not include all of God's creation. So with the many labels I'm continually adding to my identity (Chosen. Royal. Loved. Saved.), I'm adding another one to the list: First Fruit. May I continue to delve further into this part of my identity as His child.
May 27, 2011
considering it all joy
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4
I've read these verses hundreds of times over the years, but this week God showed me something new as I read them. And of course it had to do with joy. He's been bombarding me with this concept of being joyful lately, since I tend to be more on the melancholy and pensive side of things. It's almost like I'm afraid to find joy in the little things, because what if it's not there in the bigger things?
I always considered this act of "considering it all joy" to be a simple, almost passive behavior. Trials will happen to all of us; it's inevitable. But when they happen to me, I tend to be more active with getting through the trial, not with finding joy within it. And I think that's where I've been going wrong all these years.
We read in these verses that the testing of our faith produces endurance (or, in other translations, perseverance). But what if finding joy within the trial that's testing our faith actually causes the product of endurance? What if instead of being a passive behavior, finding joy becomes a catalyst that results in endurance? Think about it. Whether we strive to find joy in our trials or not, sooner or later we will get through them. That testing of our faith could just as easily result in burnout, discouragement, and staying stagnant in our faith if we don't make finding joy a necessity. No matter what the trial is, we could come out of the other side more mature and complete, or we could come out more frustrated and doubting than ever. The difference is JOY.
So how do we find joy in the midst of trial? Here's an idea. Look to God, and instead of asking Him WHY, ask Him to remind you of WHO He is and WHAT He has done for you in your:
- past. He has already come through for you and has helped you during past trials. Did you try to find the joy in those trials, or did you just struggle to get through? How did you feel on the other side?
- present. He is doing a mighty work in you right now, using whatever trial you're in as a sculpting tool to shape you into something new and stronger. He wants you to come out of this trial as someone who looks more like Him, someone more complete and sure in their faith.
- future. He will bring you out of this trial. It won't last forever. And you won't be the same person who entered that trial. Skip down to verse 12: "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." Only having joy in that trial will help you to focus on the Lord, to love Him, and to come out of that trial the right way.
Can you find joy in trials such as poverty, disease, and death? I think you can. Yes, it's hard to consider it all joy when you've lost your job, when a friend's body is wracked with cancer, or when a loved one dies. But if you look to the One who is sovereign over all of this, He can help you find joy. I can think of no better source of joy than our Heavenly Father, and He is always ready to share that joy with us if we only ask.
May 19, 2011
mirror, mirror
Am I the only one who has the tendency to be extremely self-critical? I've become more and more aware lately of how I continuously beat myself down for everything, from not doing the dishes right away to the way my clothes fit. The latter, my physical appearance, tends to be more of an issue with me. I'm hoping this is a common thing. But more than that, I'm hoping it's easy to fix.
In the book of Ephesians, Paul prays for "enlightened eyes" for the people of Ephesus so they would know the hope to which God has called them (Ephesians 1:18). I think this should be my prayer too. Without this renewed vision, it's impossible to focus on anything but the wrong thing. Enlightened eyes help us see past the temporary and past the surface. God told Samuel the prophet that God cares more about the heart than the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7); with enlightened eyes, couldn't I be the same way?
Every morning I look into our bathroom mirror. I see myself when I brush my teeth, wash my hands, do my makeup, and straighten my hair. All the while my eyes are staring back at me, telling me everything that's wrong. Your have dark circles under your eyes. Your hair is frizzy. Your arms are flabby. Your stomach is still fat. Sure doesn't sound enlightened, does it?
Sometimes my husband and I write little notes to each other on that same mirror using a dry erase marker. A couple of weeks ago, he wrote "I love you" on my side of the mirror, and a few days later he added "best mommy in the world!" right underneath it. It took me a few days after that to notice that in order to see my appearance, I had to look through those words written on the mirror. Although I could move toward the other side of the mirror where there was nothing blocking my reflection, I found that I had a much better view right where I was at. My husband's words of encouragement and affection effectively blocked out those dark circles and frizzy hair, and drew my attention away from what I thought I was wrong with me. I had to read those words anytime I looked in the mirror, and they helped me to "see" who I really was. I am loved, and I'm a wife and a mother. Looks SO much better now.
Maybe that's how those enlightened eyes work. Is it like putting on glasses to see everything through God's eyes, or is it like having cataracts that block out these negative thoughts and words we speak over ourselves day in and day out? Might be a little of both. Either way, I want more of His vision and His outlook. I want to quit wasting time criticizing my flaws and instead glorify Him for all the good He's given me. It's a tough thing to do, but really, it's not as though living the self-critical life is that easy either!
In the book of Ephesians, Paul prays for "enlightened eyes" for the people of Ephesus so they would know the hope to which God has called them (Ephesians 1:18). I think this should be my prayer too. Without this renewed vision, it's impossible to focus on anything but the wrong thing. Enlightened eyes help us see past the temporary and past the surface. God told Samuel the prophet that God cares more about the heart than the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7); with enlightened eyes, couldn't I be the same way?
Every morning I look into our bathroom mirror. I see myself when I brush my teeth, wash my hands, do my makeup, and straighten my hair. All the while my eyes are staring back at me, telling me everything that's wrong. Your have dark circles under your eyes. Your hair is frizzy. Your arms are flabby. Your stomach is still fat. Sure doesn't sound enlightened, does it?
Sometimes my husband and I write little notes to each other on that same mirror using a dry erase marker. A couple of weeks ago, he wrote "I love you" on my side of the mirror, and a few days later he added "best mommy in the world!" right underneath it. It took me a few days after that to notice that in order to see my appearance, I had to look through those words written on the mirror. Although I could move toward the other side of the mirror where there was nothing blocking my reflection, I found that I had a much better view right where I was at. My husband's words of encouragement and affection effectively blocked out those dark circles and frizzy hair, and drew my attention away from what I thought I was wrong with me. I had to read those words anytime I looked in the mirror, and they helped me to "see" who I really was. I am loved, and I'm a wife and a mother. Looks SO much better now.
Maybe that's how those enlightened eyes work. Is it like putting on glasses to see everything through God's eyes, or is it like having cataracts that block out these negative thoughts and words we speak over ourselves day in and day out? Might be a little of both. Either way, I want more of His vision and His outlook. I want to quit wasting time criticizing my flaws and instead glorify Him for all the good He's given me. It's a tough thing to do, but really, it's not as though living the self-critical life is that easy either!
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