As the body without faith is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
James 2:26
This strong statement from the book of James urges Christians to live out their faith. It does not mean that we are saved by our deeds, but that our deeds will reflect what is truly in our heart. We will in essence "back up" our faith in what we do. To us as Christian Moms, this word from James is extremely important. We are charged not only to instruct our children on having faith but also to live our out our faith on a daily basis, providing an example for our children to follow. Stepping out on faith ourselves, even when it seems to defy reason, is the best lesson we can give our children.
Earlier in the passage James uses the wonderful example of Abraham (verses 20-23) to illustrate how faith and deeds go hand in hand:
20. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21. Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22.You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness." and he was called God's friend.
God knew Abraham's heart, of course he knew that Abraham had faith. God asked Abraham to make that faith complete through action. Abraham was obedient, and in turn God honored the desire of Abraham's heart, which was that his son not be harmed.
If you say you trust in the Lord, strive to match your actions up with that statement. Be obedient to his call, even when its hard or when it doesn't make sense to you. Yes, it is a struggle to do this sometimes. The enemy tries to use fear to keep us from acting. We can act on our faith with confidence because we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). When we do this we give our children a wonderful example of faith and deed in action.
Scripture Reading: James 2:14-26
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Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Be Still-Get out of the Way!
Children are such a gift from God, aren't they? I am always so amazed at God uses my children on a daily basis to teach me something new. Here is yet another story of how a simple everyday occurrence can reveal a truth that God wants us to understand.
Yesterday, as my almost four year-old, Lilly, and I were walking out of a building, she saw a young woman with two small children walking slightly in front of us. The mom was holding a baby carrier and a baby bag. The second child seemed to be around 2 years old (needless to say she had her hands full!). Seeing that the woman needed help, my daughter rushed ahead and pushed the heavy door open for her. While Lilly was excited about helping, there was just one simple problem. The door was so heavy that in order to keep it open, Lilly had to push with both hands and brace the door with her foot. This forced her to stand right in the way so the woman and her daughter could not get past her to get out!
Touched by her enthusiasm and kindness, the woman exclaimed,"Why, thank you, sweetie! You are such a big helper!"
After briskly jogging to catch up to the situation, I gently moved Lilly from the doorway and held the door for the woman so that she could go out. We laughed about the situation and chatted a bit. She thanked us both and commented on how helpful Lilly had been.
This sweet little situation reminded me of how we as believers sometimes get in the way in our efforts to help someone else or even trying to help ourselves. Of course, we have the best intentions at heart. We may want to share Him with others, help in a desperate situation, or take care of a problem of our own accord. In the case of trying to help ourselves, we can be a bit like drowning men that cannot be rescued until we stop thrashing about. Sometimes in our enthusiasm, we stand in the way of the work that only God can do for us and for others. The word tells us to listen carefully to his guidance, stay in prayer and ask him what it is he wants us to do. Sometimes he just wants us to be still, pray and trust him. He is faithful! When we get out of the way, He will open the door in HIS perfect timing and all-knowing way!
Is there a door in your life that needs to be opened? Are you praying for a loved one or trying to help a friend? Are your arms and legs straining and you feel the door is closing? Whether it is for yourself or another person, take the time today to do as Psalm 46:10 says Be still and know that I am God. He will open that door for you.
"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Luke 11:19
Yesterday, as my almost four year-old, Lilly, and I were walking out of a building, she saw a young woman with two small children walking slightly in front of us. The mom was holding a baby carrier and a baby bag. The second child seemed to be around 2 years old (needless to say she had her hands full!). Seeing that the woman needed help, my daughter rushed ahead and pushed the heavy door open for her. While Lilly was excited about helping, there was just one simple problem. The door was so heavy that in order to keep it open, Lilly had to push with both hands and brace the door with her foot. This forced her to stand right in the way so the woman and her daughter could not get past her to get out!
Touched by her enthusiasm and kindness, the woman exclaimed,"Why, thank you, sweetie! You are such a big helper!"
After briskly jogging to catch up to the situation, I gently moved Lilly from the doorway and held the door for the woman so that she could go out. We laughed about the situation and chatted a bit. She thanked us both and commented on how helpful Lilly had been.
This sweet little situation reminded me of how we as believers sometimes get in the way in our efforts to help someone else or even trying to help ourselves. Of course, we have the best intentions at heart. We may want to share Him with others, help in a desperate situation, or take care of a problem of our own accord. In the case of trying to help ourselves, we can be a bit like drowning men that cannot be rescued until we stop thrashing about. Sometimes in our enthusiasm, we stand in the way of the work that only God can do for us and for others. The word tells us to listen carefully to his guidance, stay in prayer and ask him what it is he wants us to do. Sometimes he just wants us to be still, pray and trust him. He is faithful! When we get out of the way, He will open the door in HIS perfect timing and all-knowing way!
Is there a door in your life that needs to be opened? Are you praying for a loved one or trying to help a friend? Are your arms and legs straining and you feel the door is closing? Whether it is for yourself or another person, take the time today to do as Psalm 46:10 says Be still and know that I am God. He will open that door for you.
"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Luke 11:19
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Have a Decision to Make? Follow HIS lead!
As moms, we are always making decisions. We may be facing decisions on small details or major decisions that will change the course of our lives. The outcomes of some of our decisions affect not only our lives but the lives of our whole families! Will we stay home, will we go to work? What will we teach our children? How will we interact with our husbands? Will we volunteer for this event or that one? How will we run our business? Will we live here or there? The list of decisions goes on and on! If you have ever felt perplexed or burdened about decisions, big or small, don't be fearful. As children of God we have the best example to follow when it comes to those decisions that we are asked to make. When God came to earth in the form of His Son, Jesus, He not only died for our sins but left the best example on how to live a Godly and holy life.
Consider one of the most important decisions Jesus had to make, the selection of his twelve apostles. He knew that he only had a short time on this earth and that the men that he chose to be apostles must be men after the heart of God Himself. They needed to be strong, caring, righteous and more. This was a very important decision indeed!
In Luke 6:12-13 we read:
One of those days Jesus went out to the mountainside to pray, and spent all night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them who he also designated as apostles.
As God sent to earth in the flesh, Jesus went to the Father in prayer. He took time away from the hustle and bustle of teaching and healing to go out to the mountainside. It was just him and the Father above! Not only did he pray for guidance, he prayed all night long! If the Lord himself felt that prayer was the only way, shouldn't we also?
Are you facing some tough decisions in your life today? Don't feel overwhelmed, God will show the way. Take this perfect example from Jesus and spend some quiet time with God-just you and HIM. He will give you the wisdom and guidance that you so desperately need if you seek His face and listen for His answer.
Consider one of the most important decisions Jesus had to make, the selection of his twelve apostles. He knew that he only had a short time on this earth and that the men that he chose to be apostles must be men after the heart of God Himself. They needed to be strong, caring, righteous and more. This was a very important decision indeed!
In Luke 6:12-13 we read:
One of those days Jesus went out to the mountainside to pray, and spent all night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them who he also designated as apostles.
As God sent to earth in the flesh, Jesus went to the Father in prayer. He took time away from the hustle and bustle of teaching and healing to go out to the mountainside. It was just him and the Father above! Not only did he pray for guidance, he prayed all night long! If the Lord himself felt that prayer was the only way, shouldn't we also?
Are you facing some tough decisions in your life today? Don't feel overwhelmed, God will show the way. Take this perfect example from Jesus and spend some quiet time with God-just you and HIM. He will give you the wisdom and guidance that you so desperately need if you seek His face and listen for His answer.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Moms, ever thought about this home hazard?
I received an e-mail recently from George DeCell, founder of SafetyCaps, Inc. asking me to bring a particular issue to my reader's attention. Even though I do not usually do product reviews on my blog, as a mother of three, I was happy to oblige this time. I truly had never thought about this hazard before and I know many other moms may not have thought about this danger either.
Several years ago, George's daughter, Sage, ended up with a plastic outlet cover in her mouth and nearly choked to death. This device, which was intended to save her life ended up presenting a near fatal situation! Most parents of infants and toddlers have these outlet covers in their home and are unaware of the dangers that they can present. Though these covers are not intended for consumption, those of us that have young children know that anything that CAN go in their mouth WILL go in their mouth. Many a well-meaning parent has taken an outlet cover out (to use the outlet) and set it aside, not anticipating that the child will pick it up and put it in their mouth!
In response to his personal situation and to keep other children from this clear danger, George has invented SafetyCaps. SafetyCaps are outlet covers that have been designed with the same specifications as a pacifier.
In short, they are large enough not to be swallowed and have two ventilation holes. I truly believe that this design will save many childrens' lives. As I mentioned before, I don't usually do product reviews on this blog, however, I truly think that this one can make a difference and I give it 2 thumbs up! I would encourage those with little ones at home to visit the SafteyCaps website at http://www.safteycaps.com to learn more about it. Protect your children from electric shock but also protect them from the choking hazards that other outlet caps present!
Several years ago, George's daughter, Sage, ended up with a plastic outlet cover in her mouth and nearly choked to death. This device, which was intended to save her life ended up presenting a near fatal situation! Most parents of infants and toddlers have these outlet covers in their home and are unaware of the dangers that they can present. Though these covers are not intended for consumption, those of us that have young children know that anything that CAN go in their mouth WILL go in their mouth. Many a well-meaning parent has taken an outlet cover out (to use the outlet) and set it aside, not anticipating that the child will pick it up and put it in their mouth!
In response to his personal situation and to keep other children from this clear danger, George has invented SafetyCaps. SafetyCaps are outlet covers that have been designed with the same specifications as a pacifier.
In short, they are large enough not to be swallowed and have two ventilation holes. I truly believe that this design will save many childrens' lives. As I mentioned before, I don't usually do product reviews on this blog, however, I truly think that this one can make a difference and I give it 2 thumbs up! I would encourage those with little ones at home to visit the SafteyCaps website at http://www.safteycaps.com to learn more about it. Protect your children from electric shock but also protect them from the choking hazards that other outlet caps present!
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