What a Christian

Today's Verse:
James 2:18

I know if God laid down all the stuff that i would have to go through just by naming the name Jesus and becoming a Christian, I am sure most of you would have had second thoughts just like me if I knew half the stuff that would have happen, negatively.

But have you ever asked yourself, what it is being a Christian, I mean truly, what is a Christian?  

These days we see so many advertisements of "your 7 steps to a better you" or How to make things happen in 30 days or less.  These messages come from all over the place, media, TV, Internet, pop-ups or what ever the case maybe, and don't forget for the low, low price of just $19.95.  Wow.  Now hopefully you know as well as I do that this is just all talk, with no real foundation to back it up with.  Just a way to get rich quickly for them. 

In James 2:18, we see a great example of this and the beginning stages of being a Christian.  He writes, " 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."  As a Christian it is very important what we do, moreover then what we say.  "Talk is Cheap"

As we go throughout life, people come in and out of our circle and pay very close attention to what it is we do, more so then what we say, perfect example, your children.  If you have children, you will quickly learn that kids do as they see, not as you say. 

Being a Christian we often find our selves taking the blunt of all task, the actions, and the battles, but I can assure you this, it is worth it.  More Importantly, someone else life may depend on what you do in a given situation.  I can not even count all the times that i have went through something and after dealing with it in my own life, having someone close to me go through the same thing, and therefore was able t pull on me as a resource to help see them through!

"Genuine faith will inevitably produce good deeds"  Jesus called for us to follow him, with him leading the way as the example in our lives, but we can often be guilty of belying this with our actions.  We are all changing and growing in the things of God, some quicker than others, but as you grow, do not forget that you too once had some things to work on in being a Christian, and the bible says in James 5:7-11, be patient with one another, but always know that someone is watching, so why not try your best to get it right!

Peace and Blessings.

"Father God, let us considered 

in your word that the Book of James

be a standard for us on how to be a Christian.

Let us not forget that by your grace we are saved

and being able to reach back to help someone else do the same.

Let us not bely you name and instead 

let the proof of the reality of our faith be seen in our changed lives"

Written by JP Courtney

Your Silence is Louder Than Their Noise

Proverbs 18:21

Matthew 8:23-27;  

             12:37

 

The other day I had a conversation with a coworker of mines.  They were having issues with another coworker and were trying to get some advice on how they should handle it. I told her not to worry about it, the less you speak the more you say. You don't have to defend yourself or try to get your point across; sometimes it is best if you don't say anything at all. 

The Bible says, in Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].”  Since life and death is in the tongue, we can speak life or death in a situation which Matthew said it best in 12:37, “For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.” 

When we are mad and angry we don't need to speak anything because death will come out of the anger and frustration and we can’t take it back once it is out there. So the next time you are mad, angry or upset don't speak, let your silence speak for you. Your silence will be much louder than making noise and speaking death over that situation.  Understand this, when Jesus was sleep and the disciples was on the boat and the storm came; "And after He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly, behold, there arose a violent storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered up by the waves; but He was sleeping. And they went and awakened Him, saying, Lord, rescue and preserve us! We are perishing! And He said to them, Why are you timid and afraid, O you of little faith? Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great and wonderful calm (a perfect peaceableness). And the men were stunned with bewildered wonder and marveled, saying, what kind of Man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him! (Matthew 8:23-27).” 

Jesus silence should have been louder than the storm but fear set in with the disciples. The storm was so loud that they were afraid. Not once did they take the time to notice that Jesus was still asleep. Don't you think if God is in the boat with you, you don't have to do anything? God is there to calm the storm.  Stop acting out of fear and start acting out of your faith and follow the example that Jesus gave; be still and quite. Let your silence be louder than their storm.

Father God, thank you for your words because your words are more powerful then mines. Thank you Lord that you are able to speak in a soft voice and it sounds like thunder. That when you speak, it is. Thank you for giving us the power of meekness and gentleness so that we don't have to be loud and forcefully but we can be quite and peacefully. In your name Jesus we pray Amen.

Written by A. Courtney