Faith, love in action

22 Jun 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Devotions Tags: , , , , , ,

My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it? Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. What if one of you said, “Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!”? What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs? In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity. Someone might claim, “You have faith and I have action.” But how can I see your faith apart from your actions? Instead, I’ll show you my faith by putting it into practice in faithful. ~James2 14-18(CEB)

Claiming that I believe in God doesn’t bring anyone out of the darkness. Feeling bad that there are hungry people in the world does nothing to put food in their bellies. It is easy to read the Bible, but what is difficult is putting what I have read into practice. In Matt 25:42-42 it says “I was hungry and you didn’t give me food to eat. I was thirsty and you didn’t give me anything to drink. I was a stranger and you didn’t welcome me. I was naked and you didn’t give me clothes to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.” These are not words I want to hear directed to me by Christ. I might be tempted to say but Lord, when did I see you hungry, thirsty, naked, sick or in prison? Then He will answer, “I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me.”(Matt 25:45)  He doesn’t say, anything about my “seeing” these needs. He just commands that I meet the needs.

Paul writes in his first letter to the Corinthians “If I speak in tongues of human beings and of angels but I don’t have love, I’m a clanging gong or a clashing cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and I know all the mysteries and everything else, and if I have such complete faith that I can move mountains but I don’t have love, I’m nothing. If I give away everything that I have and hand over my own body to feel good about what I’ve done but I don’t have love, I receive no benefit whatsoever” (1Cor 13:1-3).

How can I claim faith if I lack action? Love is that action. Love is the response to the faith I claim in Christ. The question of love to Peter was not just for Peter, it is for me too. “Do you love Me?”, Christ asks. It is not just a simple answer of “Yes, Lord, I love You.” He asks me to put my love in action. He says to me, “Take care of my sheep” (John 21:16).

Again I find myself Lord, convicted of Your words. Help me this day to show my love for You to those I meet, even if it means that I have to go out of my comfort zones to find those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, sick or in prison. May I be Your hands and feet. May I be love in action. Amen.

God’s generosity

21 Jun 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Devotions Tags: , , , ,

The LORD is my shepherd.
I lack nothing.
He lets me rest in grassy meadows;
he leads me to restful waters;
he keeps me alive.
He guides me in proper paths
for the sake of his good name.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger because you are with me.
Your rod and your staff—
they protect me.
You set a table for me
right in front of my enemies.
You bathe my head in oil;
my cup is so full it spills over!
Yes, goodness and faithful love
will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the LORD ‘s house
as long as I live.

~Psalm 23 (CEB)

God of abundant generosity, You desire to fill my life with good gifts that bring me joy and strengthen this simple life of Your child. When I dwell in Your house, strengthened by Your love for me, I find I truly lack for nothing. May this table You set before me be one that I can invite others to join so that we may celebrate the rich unity in diversity that is a sure sign of Your Kingdom. All that I have and all that I am is from Your hand. Amen.

A quality of grace

20 Jun 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Devotions Tags: , , , , ,

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.  But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. ~Romans 3:20-24 (ESV)

Holiness is a gift of grace. Its quality cannot be imitated or faked. If I try to act them out people will sense my inauthenticity, for these gifts come from walking intimately with God.

How can I cultivate such qualities of grace in my life? It would be nice if there were detailed directions written in a book, or a course that I could take that would guarantee to make me a saint. But, of course, it is not that simple. It is not just a matter of reading the right book, or participating in the perfect Bible study, it is a matter of values, of commitment, and more than anything else, of love~ love for the God who created me and who has called to me to follow Him.

Thank You for the gift of grace, O Lord. Help me to walk intimately this day with You. May my commitments and values reflect Your love in my life. May I show my love for You in how I love others. Amen.

Who I am

19 Jun 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Devotions Tags: , , , , ,

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.~ Eph. 5:1-2 (ESV)

My identity as a beloved child of God embraces both who I am now and who I am becoming. I am infinitely loved by God who has blessed me with unique gifts. Through the gifts He has given me I am being renewed in His divine image that I am to bear back into the world. How I bear His message is unique to me.

My core identity, the one that exists despite the choices and mistakes that I have made in life, comes with particular gifts. Individual gifts and graces are an expression of God’s love to me and a confirmation of my belovedness. I am not like anyone else. I do not think, act or serve like anyone else. God’s love sets me wholly free to me myself and free to be for others the image of a loving God.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for walking hand in hand with me through life’s journey. Even when I detour from the path you would You would have me follow, I find You still with me. Thank You for Your whispers guiding me back. Help me to bear Your love to the world as my sacrifice of thanks. May my love for You grow ever stronger. Amen.

Whats in a name?

18 Jun 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Devotions Tags: , , , ,

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. ~1 John 3:2 (ESV)

What’s in a name? It is easy to see the names or labels we don’t like about ourselves. When I was ten and a teacher was waving my test paper and telling my mom that I was lazy for not spelling a word correctly that was at the top of the page, I interpreted the situation to mean that I was stupid. I didn’t “see” that the word was misspelled. The result of living with some things just not clicking has turned me into a very hard worker. That has at times come to benefit me. I have learned to work around the things that I cannot do. But the pain from moments like those can sometimes be a huge stumbling block when I find myself in new situations. It can cause stress when God calls me to go and do things out of my comfort zone and I worry about what all I won’t be able to “see”.

But then God reminds me that I am not seeing things correctly. That I need to see myself through His eyes. God does not see me as stupid. He sees that I am creative in my approach to problems. God does not see me as lazy. He understands when sometimes I don’t understand things. He is the One person who can see me so completely and still love me unconditionally. I am totally known by Him. God recognizes that I am not perfect. He loves me anyway. This total acceptance by Him leaves me in awe and wonder. How can someone see me as I am AND see me as all the possibilities I could be? I am not limited by what has come before me. I am not defined by what others say. I am a child of God. That is the name I claim today.

Dear God, thank You for making me a possibility. Thank You for believing in me when I couldn’t believe in myself. Walk with me this day and be the confidence I need to be Your hands and feet in this world. Turn my pain into sight. Fill the holes in my heart with Your love. Help me accept the things that You see as wonderful. Help me accept that I am uniquely Yours. Help me to hear when You say I am beautiful. Amen.

 

 

 

Faith to see yourself in God’s eyes

17 Jun 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Devotions Tags: , , , , ,

You are from God, little children, and you have defeated these people because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. ~1 John 4:4

It is so easy to judge ourselves by what others think of us. I often forget that my true value is through God’s eyes. My value is not from the people who surround me. If I base my significance on what others think I can be lifted up as high as the sky by their praise or I can find myself plummeting quickly be their disapproval. This creates such a roller-coaster effect on my emotions and is very dangerous to my well-being.

Instead I need to look in the Bible to find my self-worth. Who does the Bible say I am? If I look through the Bible I can find many references. One of my favorite verses on “who I am in Christ” comes from Romans 5:1 “Because of Christ and His redemption, I am completely forgiven and fully pleasing to God. I am totally accepted by God. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” My favorite part of that verse is that I am accepted by God, just as I am. No, I am not perfect. Whether I am at my best or at my worst I am still totally accepted by God. That is not always true of fellow humans. If I based my significance on others approval I begin to fear rejection. My fear of rejection can begin to control me and my self-worth. My dependence on others for value brings bondage and darkness.

God doesn’t want us living in darkness so He sent Jesus into the world to seek out those who find themselves in bondage. He came to speak truths to our heart about God’s love and acceptance. Taking this truth into our heart brings freedom and joy. I want to live in the light where freedom from bondage of what others think of me exists. I want joy in my life so I hold a simple truth in my heart, “I am a beloved child of God” (Gal 4:7). The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear (Psalm 27:1)

May I live securely in Your love and acceptance of me oh Lord. Help me this day to remember that my relationship with You is what matters above all others opinions. Hide deep in my heart Your truths of who I am through You. Amen.

To live a life of love

14 Jun 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Devotions Tags: , , , , , ,

For those who want to love life and see good days should keep their tongue from evil speaking and their lips from speaking lies. ~1 Peter 3:10

 

The words we speak can be a blessing or a curse. Once words are unleashed they can never be retrieved. We can ask for forgiveness for the words we have said but we can never take them back. How differently would we live our lives if we thought about this fact before we ever said a word? If I thought ahead how hurtful my words might be before I say them would I ever say them in the first place? Often I think I would not. What is said out of anger or carelessness many times brings regrets and deep sorrows.

I want to live a life of love. I want to see good days. If this means that I need to slow down my own reaction to situations before I respond, if it means that I need to not take offense so quickly then I want to work harder on my part of the picture. I want to take that deep breath before I let words fly. I want to think about the reason the other person may have acted or said what they said. I want to be a solution not an aggravation to the problem.

I can think of a relationship or two that I have lost because I did not slow down and think ahead. Misunderstandings can have disastrous results. Some bridges can never be mended. I don’t want to live a life full of regrets or long for relationships that could have been different. I want to live and love as Jesus would have me do.

Heavenly Father, help me to guard my words. May the words that I speak be carefully thought through. May I be known as a reflection of your love even in the things that I say this day. Amen.

Thanks in every situation

07 Jun 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Devotions Tags: , , , , , ,

 

Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. ~1 Thessalonians   5:16-18

Here in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-21 it lays it all out pretty simply. Rejoice always. It doesn’t say, only when you feel joyful, it says rejoice ALWAYS. Pray continually, not just sometimes but in everything I should be in prayer. Give thanks in every situation… hmm. That one is harder.

Last Sunday morning I got in the car to head to church. The car didn’t start. I am to be thankful in this Lord? Well, I could have been an hour from home like I had been a few days before. I could have been at the grocery store with frozen food melting in the trunk while I waited for help. So, I was thankful. I was thankful that this didn’t happen while I was visiting my parents in West TN, 6 hours away when I had a tight schedule for getting back, not just for the day I was traveling back but also for the next two days after I got back. The few days I was without a car I only had to rearrange a handful of things and for this I was thankful too. No, I wasn’t happy about having to spend money on my car for repairs but I was thankful that I had money to pay the repairman. I was also thankful that I have a repairman that I trust. After I thought about it, I realized that I had a lot to be thankful for in spite of my car troubles.

Because I took the time to look for the things that I was thankful for despite the car troubles and the impositions it caused, I was able to handle this “crisis” I little better this time.

Heavenly Father, help me to remember to rejoice always, to pray continually and to always remember to give thanks in every situation. Amen.

Stay the course

06 Jun 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Devotions Tags: , , , , , ,

Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up. ~Galatians 6:9 (CEB)

No matter what is going on in our lives we must never give up. In the scripture on God’s Armor (Eph 6:10-18) it ends the section with “no matter what, persevere.” This is easy to throw around but how do you even begin to persevere in a world that is full of all kinds of problems, frustrations and difficulties? I persevere by my diligence in prayer, resolving to stay the course, unwavering faith, and determination to stand firmly on God’s Words and His promises for me.

It gets frustrating how slowly things seem to be moving sometimes. It is easy to think that God isn’t dealing with the situation but I have to remember that God is doing some of his greatest work even if I can’t see what He is doing. Also I need to keep in mind if the problem didn’t occur over night it also will take time to correctly resolve it.

No matter what is going on in our lives the victory is in not giving up. I think that is a good definition for perseverance. Not giving up. When the road ahead is full of bumps and I feel like I am acting out one of my son’s ninja shows trying to dodge trouble, I need to keep assured that the good that I am trying to do is noticed by God and time will bring fruition to my diligence.

Sometimes God, I get tired of doing the right thing. Give me courage to stay the course give me strength to do your will. Amen.

Shelter in the storm

03 Jun 2014 Leave a comment

by jennifermcintyreblog in Devotions Tags: , , , , , ,

You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in distress, a hiding place from the storm, a shade from the heat. When the breath of tyrants is like a winter storm. ~ Isaiah 25:4 (CEB)

I attended a meeting one night and the facilitator accused some of us of not being thrilled to be there. He asked us to think of a word that described our feelings. When I thought about how I was feeling, I decided that I felt pretty good and I was glad to be there that night. At the same time I realized that this was not a complete picture of what I was feeling. On the surface I felt happy and peaceful, but underneath the calm I knew there still raged a storm, a storm that may never find rest this side of heaven.

I think this is what was meant about feeling peaceful despite life’s circumstances. Maybe you are in a storm right now. For you, maybe your storm is an alcoholic or drug addict in your life. Maybe someone you love is dying of a terminal illness or you are dealing with grief and great loss. Maybe you personally are suffering with drugs, alcohol or a terminal illness. Maybe your financial situation is just about to swallow you whole. Despite the storms that may never cease this side of heaven we find verses in the Bible that tell us that we are not alone. That someone walks along with us in the storm. Isaiah 25:4 even tells me that I can hide away from the storm, find refuge from my distress. How do I find refuge from the storms? In fellowship with other Christians, reading the Word, singing hymns, prayer and worship. These things can provide a shelter and a resting place.

Heavenly Father, thank you for providing a shelter in the storms of life. May I frequently seek out your comfort so that I can continue in Your peace. Amen.

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