November 10, 2004

Walking Our Faith

Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? —James 2:22

Bible In One Year: Jeremiah 48-49; Hebrews 7

Often we Christians are urged not just to "talk the talk" but to "walk the talk." The same advice may be expressed in these words: Don't let your behavior contradict your professed belief. At other times we are admonished to be sure that life and lip agree. If our conduct doesn't harmonize with our confession of faith, however, that discrepancy nullifies the testimony of the gospel which we proclaim.

As far as we can know, Mahatma Gandhi never became a Christian, but he made a statement that we who follow Jesus would do well to ponder. When asked to put his message into one short sentence, he replied, "My life is my message."

Certainly we should explain the gospel message as clearly as possible. Yet the clearest explanation isn't going to win hearts for our Lord unless His love is embodied in our lives. To quote the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." And holding himself up as a pattern, he wrote in Philippians 4:9, "The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."

Pray, then, that like Paul we may live out our saving faith before the watching world. —Vernon Grounds

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me—
All His wonderful passion and purity!
O Thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine,
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me. —Orsborn

The world is watching us—do they see Jesus?

Good morning, all! Here we go--

Wednesday, November 10

Headache Day (you probably thought this was celebrated everyday)
Mariachi Night (California)
Forget-Me-Not Day
Toothpaste Day
USMC Birthday (Go Marines! Semper Fi!)

Thursday, November 11

Ones Day (?? -- Twos Day comes next week?)
Sundae Day (followed by Mons Day?)
Admission Day (Washington)
Independence Day (Poland)
Republic Day (Maldives)
St. Martin's Day (Sweden)
Veterans Day Parade (Alabama)
Remembrance Day (Canada)
Veterans Day (formerly WWI Armistice Day)

LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT

Here is a soldier stationed in Iraq, stationed in a big sand box. He asked his wife to send him dirt, fertilizer and some grass seeds so he can have the sweet aroma and feel the grass grow beneath his feet.

If you notice, he is even cutting the grass with a pair of scissors. Sometimes we are in such a hurry that we don't stop and think about the little things that we take for granted. Upon receiving this, please say a prayer for our soldiers that give (and give up) so unselfishly for us.