The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. (John 10:10, AMP)
We are wrapping up our James study this week. We will finish with James 5. Feel free to read it! This week, the devotionals will be a little lighter as I have family coming to town. Today, I thought I would share a passage of Scripture with you that puts James 5:1-6 into perspective.
But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. (James 2:18)
Read more of James 2
There is a controversy that is taking place about what is more important: faith or deeds? One person may think they have it all together because their faith is as strong as a cement wall. Then you have the next person who thinks they have it all together because the things they do for others are too many to count. The author of this passage wants us to realize that faith and deeds belong together. I must live by faith daily and in that faith I take action to lead a life of service to the Lord.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
I heard a story on the radio the other day that really challenged me. I would like to share it with you and see how God can use it in your life.
There was an 80 year old missionary who was bed ridden. For many years, he had served in China as a missionary. One day, someone came to visit him. The visitor expressed that he was sorry the missionary couldn’t be in China. This was the missionary’s response…
This got me to thinking. What happens when I pray? Does anything shake? Do I truly believe that God can change circumstances? Do I trust that He will? Matthew 17:20 says,
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. (Malachi 3:1)
Do you know that there were 400 years of silence between the last prophecy in the Old Testament and the first event in the New Testament? There were over 300 Messianic Prophecies in the Old Testament. These prophecies shared when Jesus would come, where He would be born, what His ministry would look like, how He would live, how He would die, and how He would be resurrected.