Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I AM A FRIEND OF GOD

"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.” (James 2:23 NIV)

While listening on Sunday to the worship team sing, “I am a friend of God”, I remembered the apostle James using this verse to make a point about faith and deeds. He gave us the example of Abraham, who believed God’s promises regardless of the length of time it took for them to be accomplished. But what is beautiful about the story of Abraham is that he did not fail to believe even when he did not see it happening immediately. He waited on God no matter what his surrounding circumstances were. WOW! How many of us wait patiently to see God’s work fulfilled? Or do we give God a little hand and do it our way? Another point I would like to make is

It says that “Abraham believed, and it was credited to him as righteousness...” Well, Abraham did have his faults like any other human, but he did follow through in his obedience. He did what God told him to do.
His faith was credited as righteousness because he not only believed but obeyed what the Lord commanded. It’s not simply a matter of believing, but of taking action in obedience to God. The apostle gives us a good example: ‘suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well: keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?”

Abraham’s faith and his actions were working together. (v. 22) The apostle summarized it in this verse “You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.”(James 2:24) The scriptures have given us the answer to our friendship with God – let’s believe it and act on it!

God Bless,
Vanessa

Monday, August 3, 2009

WHAT YOU DO ON YOUR WORST DAY

Do you pick-up yourself when life is pounding the worst on you? Well, my friend we all have moments when we feel it is the worst because of a bad day with the kids, or a pink slip given to you at the job, or the bad relationship that just ended. These are things some have experienced, but there are worse. We all face adversity in our life. However quote: “it’s not the adversity, but how we react to it that will determine the joy and happiness in our life.” That’s absolutely right! We can feel sorry for ourselves, or we can face life with gratitude.
Take for instance, the example of Patrick Henry Hughes who was born with no eyes, and a tightening of the joints, which left him crippled for life. However, as a child, he was fitted with artificial eyes and placed in a wheelchair.
Before his birthday, he discovered the piano. His mom said, “He could hit any note on the piano, and within one or two tries, he’d get it.” By his second birthday, he was playing requests (You are My Sunshine, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star). His father was ecstatic. “We might not play baseball, but we can play music together.”

Today, Patrick is a junior at the university of Louisville. His father attends classes with him and he’s made nearly all A’s, with the exception of 3 B’s. He’s also a part of the 214 member marching band. You read it right. The marching band! He’s a blind, wheelchair-bound trumpet player, and he and his father do it together. They attend all the band practices and the half-time performance in front of thousands. His father rolls and rotates his son around the field to the cheers of Patrick’s fans. In order to attend Patrick’s classes and every band practice, his father works the graveyard shift at UPS, Patrick said.”My dad’s my hero.”

But even more than the musical talent of this young man, it was Patrick’s “attitude of gratitude”. On stage he would talk to the audience about how blessed he was. He said, “God made me blind and unable to walk. BIG DEAL! He gave me the ability. The musical gifts I have …the great opportunity to meet new people.”

It sounds very simple that one word. Gratitude can change your attitude, thus, your life forever.
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.” (1 Cor.2: 14)