Today's Readings: New Testament -
Matthew 22:34-46
James 2:14-26
Old Testament -
Ecclesiastes 3:16-22
Jeremiah 10-11
Click on Text Links to Read Online
Focus Verses: James 2:14-17
14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Insight:
Faith is not real unless it expresses itself through action. Faith is more than words. Faith is more than ideas, and more than strong convictions. Words, ideas, and convictions are empty unless they are lived out. Faith is more than something you have in your head or your heart; it's something you live and do.
Response & Action:
If I really believe something must be done for those in need, I will do something about it. If I really believe something wrong, I will make every effort to avoid it. If I really believe the Bible is God's word, I will read it and heed its counsel and direction. If really believe Jesus is Lord, I will do what he says I should do.
I want a faith that is real and proved through my actions. I want to move beyond words and into obedience and deeds . I want to move beyond saying I believe in Jesus and into proving it through what I say and do. I do not want to merely hear and recognize truth, I want to build my life upon it.
O God, help me to live by faith today. Give me the will and the courage to step out in faith as I make choices and face challenges. Help me to identify ways to put my beliefs into practice. Help me to see every responsibility, relationship, goal, and need through the eyes of faith. And in every case, give me the wisdom and the will to do what faith should do. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.
Spiritual Formation Verses: 1 John 5:3-5
3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Resources:
The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God's Call to Justice
by Mark Labberton
