Put Action to Your Faith

James 2:14 - 17 (NLT) What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

I have always admired people of action. It is easy to talk big. It is another thing all together to back up one's speech with action. I've tried to pass along to my children some good advise. Hopefully, some of it sticks. One thing I try to do and to teach is--that if given a choice to watch something or to do something, choose doing something. I would rather play ride my bike, than watch a bike race. I would rather play tennis than watch tennis. I would rather give a person something something to eat, than debate that something ought to be done to stop hunger.

I have the great privilege of being part of a team of doers, not just talkers. We are putting action to our faith. Instead of telling hungry people we will pray for you, we are giving them something to eat each month through Life Center Food Pantry. Not every person can volunteer at the pantry. Yet, nearly everyone can give a jar of peanut butter or jelly.

There are dozens of other worthy places to put action to faith. If a person truly seeks after God's will in this, He will direct them to a needed and valuable place of ministry and service. The essence of living is giving. Put action to your faith, and see great results.

Peace,

Stan

120

120, that's how many teens showed up at the 2:28 youth service last week. If you add in the handful of others who came Sunday with the 75 or so children over in Jumpgate, Little Lambs and nursery, then we ministered to about 200 young people last week. That's about the same number of adults we ministered to also last week.

We've said forever, "At Cornerstone Church, we love kids." Our words of prophesy have come to pass. Our biggest challenge now is to build quickly enough to accomodate our growth. What a great problem!

Miss Lisa, JD and Jame are doing an outstanding job with our young people. Our adults have created an atmosphere where kids feel welcome and loved. What a great privilege I have to lead such a godly group, with the heart of Jesus toward children!

The disciples tried to send parents away, who were bringing their children to Jesus to be blessed. Mark 10:14 - 16 (NLT), "When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, 'Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.' Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them."

I don't want to send any young people away. So, we are working hard to get our building project funded and built as soon as possible. If God puts something on your heart to help us, then please be as quick to respond as is possible.

Peace,
Stan

Let's get started

This is my first attempt at blogging. So, let's get started.

I've been thinking much lately how in the church we mostly feed the already fed. It's so easy; those hungry for more of God come ready for more. That's exciting! It's so easy to feed the spiritually hungry. Being salty, causing another person to be hungry for God; that's more challenging. I think it starts with being more outwardly focused. We can all be so self-absorbed. We get sucked down the black hole of self. My self (flesh) can never be satisfied.

I don't know about you, but I'm getting a little bored with me. So, I'm challenging myself and you, my reader, to live for others. Jesus told us that the two most important things in life are to love God passionately and to love other people genuinely (Mark 12. 30-31).

So, are you an inny or an outty?

Peace,
Stan