Read … What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:14-17
Remember … You are steadfast, Jesus. You labored for Your bride. You never gave up, and You fought until the end. Then in the tomb You continued Your great work and conquered death. All praise, honor, and glory go to You!
Respond … I give up at times. When things get tough, I throw in the towel and quit. I am sorry that I don’t see things through. I don’t access Your power as I should through prayer and the reading of Your Word.
Reflect … Thank You for the enabling power of Your Spirit. Thank You for equipping me for every good work. Thank You for helping me finish well and not give up. Thank You for opportunities to live out my faith. Thank You for allowing me to help and encourage others.
Renew … Help Your people – the church – continue our work for You. Help us live out our faith as we love, serve, and encourage others with the hope of the Gospel. Specifically, as we serve the people of Augusta and Grovetown, give us eyes to see needs and courage to take action. Do not allow Your church to become deadened. And never allow us to see a need You place in front of us and not respond. In Jesus’ name, amen.
God is calling us to live for the sake of Christ and to do that through suffering. Christ chose suffering; it didn’t just happen to Him. He chose it as the way to create and perfect the church. Now He calls us to choose suffering. That is, He calls us to take up our cross and follow Him on the Calvary road and deny ourselves and make sacrifices for the sake of ministering to the church and presenting His sufferings to the world. – John Piper
[shareaholic app=”share_buttons” id=”340630″]