Daily(ish) Truth

Working through this passage on the relationship between faith and works this morning. I have probably heard a dozen sermons on this passage, but getting into the Word yourself always shows something new. Hebrews 4:12 "The word is alive and active." This morning one of the verses that stuck out to me was verse 16 "and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?" After spending most of my time rehashing the faith and works debate, this verse was challenging and convicting in a very practical way. It challenges how I respond to people's needs. It is the southern way to ask people how they are doing, and if someone breaks the unwritten rule of replying that everything is fine, it is custom to tell them that we will be thinking about them and praying for them. How many times have I said this to people and then 1. not even thought or prayed about them after walking away...

I am a middle school teacher. School will (maybe) be starting back in a couple weeks. This morning was challenging for me as I think about my upcoming students. My prayer is that I would not overlook any of my students but care for and lift each one of them up equally. That I would be a model of what it looks like to love your neighbor sacrificially. I pray that I would not have any bias or partiality when it comes to my students and how I treat them.  FOURTH DAY: Read James 2:1-13. James warned believers against favoritism. 9. Why is it wrong for believers to show favoritism? v.4 “Have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” v.5 “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world.” v. 6 “But you have dishonored the poor man.” v. 8 “If you really fulfill the royal law according to Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.” v. 9 “If you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the l...

This is one day in the Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) study on Acts of the Apostles. THIRD DAY: Read James 1:19-27. James challenged believers to live out faith. 6. Which commands stand out to you and why? quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness receive with meekness the implanted word -  This is able to save souls. All of the other things listed are possible when we are spending time in the Word. But there is a way in which we have to interact with the Word - meekness. We must come to the Word humbly which is implanted in us and growing. It has the ability to save where desire leads to sin leads to death. Humility - it is the Holy Spirit working in us that reveals God’s truths to us, not our intellectual prowess. The Bible should first change our hearts not just our head.  be doers of the word, and not only hearers - persevere bridle your tongue and do not deceive your heart visit orphans and widows in their aff...