May 12, 2019
Faith,
Works and God’s Abundance
Psalm
23
James
2:26 AMP
Daniel
6:3
Romans
12:2 AMP
Committed
Faith
Prayer for illumination.
James
2:26 Amplified Bible (AMP)
26 For just as the [human]
body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works [of obedience] is also
dead.
Faith = Works
Works may not = Faith
I remember growing up and seeing my grandmother
working so hard for God. She was always at the church doing something. She was
always trying to help others. She sang in the choir and helped everywhere she
could. She was committed to her God and to her faith. She did works because of
that commitment and love…not that she was trying to win any award. She just was
thankful and wanted to do all she could for God because of it. Her faith
produced works that left a legacy…
But there are those who do there works not so
much because of their faith prompting but because they are trying to buy their
way to…for…fill in the blank… if I just
do one more committee God will answer my prayer…if I don’t say no, even though
I should, I will look good in everyone’s eyes because I am working for God…I will
work my way into heaven because I want to make sure I get a good seat at the
table… I believe a committed faith has nothing to do with trying to work
our faith but it I our faith working in us that spurs us to do the work…the
good work…God has for us…
We do not get saved by doing works…the debt has
already been paid and no amount of work can earn it…it is al by grace….
remember that unmerited favor…that God supplies. It is freely given by God
through Jesus’ sacrifice… We are saved by faith in the “It is Finished” from the cross…
The works we do are because we are a child of
God now…we are forgiven and redeemed…they are the outward sign of our inward
gratitude…we do it for the love of our heavenly father and the proof we are His.
And this is hard in the world we live because it is supposed to be all about
you and all about me. Who cares about the other guy who is trying to take all
that you have anyway…right? We need a transformation in order to be able to be
committed to our faith… Romans 12: 2 tells us (Amplified bible…):
2 And do not be conformed
to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed
and progressively changed [as
you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values
and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of
God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose
for you].
When we are born again, our life style may not
make the mark…but as we lean toward the teachings of Christ and works of
righteousness, as we are transformed in our way of thinking, we learn to be
more like Him…wanting to do what He did in and for the world around us… These
works are “proof of our faith” without works our faith is meaningless. We don’t
have to strive to do deeds that please God in a legalistic manor either. They should
be a natural byproduct of the work God is doing inside of us because of our
faith in Him…
OK…break it d0ow…
Faith-
1.
Transforms our
Character- The more time we spend with God, the more faith we have and are
being renewed…changed…from the inside out…as the Spirit works in our lives, we
can’t help but start displaying some of God’s good Character…
2.
We receive competence- Our
faith makes us competent… In Daniel 3, Daniel was competent because he followed
and trusted God and he was exalted above all leaders (Daniel 6:3). If we are
willing, the Holy Spirit will lead us towards excellence…by faith.
When our thoughts, works and deeds stem from the knowledge
of who we are in Christ, our faith is reflected. It’s not about what we do but
about who we are doing it for and being led by the Spirit. Our faith…good/bad,
weak/strong is reflected… and affects our character and competence…
Are you committed or are you just going along
for the benefits… is it more about the outcome…or the income…in your life…?
Amen…
May 12, 2019
Mother’s Day Sunday
Faith, Works and God’s Abundance
Psalm 23
James 2:26
Romans 12:2
Daniel 6:3
and sermon, “Committed Faith”
video
text:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
8AM Live
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
May 12, 2019
&
May 5, 2019
Faith, Works and God’s Abundance
Psalm 30
Psalm 150
Ephesians 2:8-9
Ephesians 2:8-9 Amplified Bible (AMP)
2 Corinthians 5:7 Amplified Bible (AMP)
1 Corinthians 16:13 Amplified Bible (AMP)
2 Timothy 4:7 Amplified Bible (AMP)
James 4:3 Amplified Bible (AMP)
and sermon, “Faith or Famine”
video
text:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
May 5, 2019
&
April 28, 2019
1st Sunday after Easter
Question from Pastor Ruth’s Facebook friend, Moses Mela,
“Is there a difference between faith and belief?”
Psalm 150
Matthew 17:14-20
Mark 11:22-23
Hebrews 11:1-3
Proverbs 3:5-6
and sermon, “Faith vs Belief”
video
text:
#sermon #Faith versus #Belief (they are not the same
thing) https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1123612440460234752
@PastorRuthFoss #Jesus #Christ #God #Spirit #love #grace
#prayer #hope #PastorRuthFoss #Patten #Maine #poetry #believe
#TrustThePlan #Trust #TrustGod
#Hebrews11 #Proverbs3 #Matthew17 #Mark11 #joy
(and departing blessing
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
April 28, 2019
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted
by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008,
2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. All
rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)
for usage. See all 49,980 of my poems at
www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Christ, Spirit, God, grace, prayer, love, journey, Pastor Ruth Foss, Patten, Maine, poetry,
Believe, belief, faith, trust, famine, communion, sermon,
#sermon #Jesus #Christ #God #Spirit #Faith #love #grace #poem
#prayer #hope #PastorRuthFoss #Patten #Maine #poetry #believe #belief #trust
#famine #food #water #communion
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