Faith Without Deeds is Dead

Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup- where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? James 2:14-17

James is a book full of wisdom. It contains simple Godly truths that apply to our everyday living. In this passage, James tells us that our faith and the deeds must work together. There is to be a seamlessness between what we believe and what we do. James also says that faith without deeds is a dead faith. Oh, Lord I pray that my faith is alive and active!

There are so many needs around us and sometimes the hard part is knowing where it's best to invest our time, money and resources. God's heart is clear throughout scripture, and to have a heart like God's we need to care for widows and orphans in their distress (James 1:27). We must care for the poor. And still we are accountable to make disciples. As Christians we look for the needs around us asking God to lead us through his Holy Spirit to those needs that we are to meet. 

As we walk with the Lord longer and grow deeper in relationship with him, We begin to get excited for opportunities to share his love. Taking meals, sending encouraging texts and cards, attending fundraising for ministries, and meeting people at their point of need will excite us and spur us on to greater deeds because we want them to see and know his love. Ask Him to open your heart and eyes to see the needs before you.

Dear Father,
Soften our hearts to the needs around us. Let us not just talk of our faith, but help us to live it out as your son showed us in his time on this earth. Lord, teach us to listen intently for your Spirit's prompting and to immediately respond in faith and love! 
In your precious and holy name we pray,
Amen