Faith

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I love my bible. Whatever emotions, questions or life problems I encounter, I can always find answers, comfort -and conviction when I need it,- in God’s Word. That’s why I love it so much. It’s God breathed. God still speaks through His Word. The Almighty, omnipotent God speaks to me; Julia May from Seagoville Texas. When you think about it, isn’t that just about the most awesome thing ever? That He knows each one of us so well. He knows our thoughts; conscious or sub-conscious, our insecurities, our hearts. That each time I sit down and pick up His Word, He shows me something new. He knows exactly what I need every time. It’s just too amazing for words.

I am not an eloquent writer. I have never taken writing courses and do not even have a college degree. With that being said, I sometimes have trouble expressing into words what I really want to say. But what I do say here on Faithwriters comes from my heart. It is always after prayerful communion with God. And I do know this:

God’s love cannot be defined with words. It simply has to be experienced by the receiver, you and me.

I just experienced it again a few minutes ago. God ever so lovingly took me to James. He knew exactly what I needed to hear from Him tonight. James, when writing his epistle did not hold back. He wrote what The Holy Spirit commanded and it is raw truth. The book of James convicts me - every time. But not always in the same way. This time I had a new revelation.

In chapter 1, verse 27 he states: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this; to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

I hear so many people today saying “it’s not about religion, it’s about having a relationship with Christ” and I believe that to be true, I have said it myself. To draw closer to God after salvation you must have a personal relationship with Jesus. But James says there is a religion too. A “Pure” religion and then he defines it for us.

The times I have visited the poor, fatherless, widows or anyone who is considered needy this year I can count on one hand. I am not proud of that, but it’s the truth. I think of other ways I could have spent Thanksgiving this year. I am sure there were plenty of organizations feeding the homeless today. Why didn’t I volunteer to help? I know I can’t do everything, but I need to do something to make a difference. I need to do more. I think we, as Christians all do. Why are our lights not shining brighter? Jesus was a servant while He walked the earth. He showed us He was not above washing the feet of His disciples. What gives me the right to think I am? I think it’s a lack of humility, of gratitude for what Christ did on the cross.

God forgive me….

Then James says “Pure” religion is to keep oneself unspotted from the world. The word unspotted is defined as “without soil or spot or stain.” Set apart from the world; different, a peculiar people. Have I always been unspotted? No, of course not. Is it possible? Not alone, it isn’t. I live in this stained and blemished world. And it is getting filthier every day. How am I to stay unspotted?

Only by the grace of God. By praying without ceasing for God’s protection from the wiles of the devil. By asking Him for wisdom and discernment. By reading His Word every chance I get and then praying His Word back to Him. By staying in constant communion with my Savior in songs and hymns in my heart. By loving my neighbor as myself. By attending His Church every time the doors are opened, keeping myself in constant fellowship with other believers who hold me accountable. By knowing in my heart and mind that my faith alone will not save me. Faith without works is dead. Just as works without faith is dead.

It all comes back to serving, doesn’t it? Loving and serving a loving God because He first loved me and serving my fellow man with the love God put inside me. That’s life in Christ. True life, abundant life. I want to do more for Him. But like the Apostle Paul - the things I want to do, I don’t and the things I don’t want to do, I do. God give me the tenacity to do more, serve more and say more to further Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name. Time is so short.

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