Day 6

Today is kind of unusual because I am going to Kansas City to see my brother. I am very excited about this because we have much to talk about. This was my first test, because today I did not have an open afternoon to do my devotional, I had to MAKE time to meet with God and i was looking forward to it all morning. 

I read today out of James, Chapter 2. Section titled "Faith and Deeds" the verses are 14-25. The question that comes from the bible is "if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds, can such a faith save him? 

What I gathered from these verses is that I need to put my faith into action, otherwise it is not really faith at all. Believing is not enough, verse 19 states, "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even demons believe that... and shudder." Wait a minute, demons believe there is one God? Why would they choose to follow Satan then? They know that God exists and have seen his power yet they still have no faith in him. Abraham's faith was tested when God asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac. His faith was exhibited through his actions. I know that in my life I need to show my faith in god through my deeds. This does not necessarily mean I need to help people all day everyday, but I need to be obedient to God and trust his plan for my life. Verse 23 says, ' "Abraham believed god and it was credited to him as righteousness,"'and he was called God's friend.' I need to be more faithful to God in order to fulfill his plan for my life and become a servant of his. When I am unsure about what needs to be done, I should not go off on my own but instead that is when I need to be in prayer and asking for guidance. Faith and actions work together to make faith complete. Verse 26, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."

Live the adventure... Letting your faith show is the title of the side note in my bible.

"Putting your faith in the Lord means believing that his plan for your life is the best possible one. If you really believe his plan is best, then you'll commit to follow his instructions about how to live. If you follow his instructions, you will help people in need, forgive those who hurt you, and tell people about Jesus, among other things. Those who refuse to do these things should take a closer look at their faith. Something may be missing"

Now that we have faith, we must demonstrate it by seeking God's plan for our life and trusting in him for every outcome. Be faithful and you will find delight in him. Don't say you have faith, show it. Pray when something happens and you are in a public place, give him praise when it is due, be the example instead of blending in. SHOW God that you love him and that you have completely given him everything, don't just tell him.

Pray for my travel to Kansas City, the weather is very poor from Manhattan to KC and that I will enjoy my time with my brother.  Well, I am off to class, the joys of being a college student!

Your Brother in Christ,

Joseph