Sunday, August 23
James 2: 14-17

Action Faith

Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (v. 17)

There is an old adage which states: There are those who watch things happen. There are those who make things happen. There are those who wonder what happened. We all fit into one of these categories.

This is very similar to our Christian faith, also. There are those who stand or sit around and watch things happen in our churches. They don’t rock the boat or rattle the rafters because they don’t know what to do or they don’t want to appear too interested. This might involve more effort or time than they feel they have.

Then, there are those who make things happen by being the vacation bible school coordinators, Sunday school teachers, lay school students, assisting ministers, youth coordinators, ushers, coffee hour servers, funeral lunch coordinators, church council members, and the numerous other things which need doing to keep a house of worship moving forward.

The last group is those who just wonder what in the world is happening or has happened. They don’t get involved, because even though they may be members, they have a misconceived notion that they can worship occasionally or on their own. They can not be bothered with those who take the time to share with others in worship or serve in the congregation and the community at large in a regular committed and faithful manner.

The group who makes things happen are the ones who serve and live their faith as well as believe that Christ died for us and we are saved by faith and not just through our works. We must put our faith into action as well as in our hearts in order to fulfill the commitment to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer concern: Those who faithfully serve in volunteer positions in community and church life.

Father of us all, make us faithful workers in our congregations, our communities and the world, to spread the good news as well as the good works of our Lord. Amen.

Monday, August 24
Matthew 6: 25-34

Do Not Worry

So do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’
or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things,
and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. (v. 31-32)

Goods are given to God’s people to be used, not to be stored. Storing up possessions gets between us and our God.

There is an abundance of storage units available in every community in America today. They are for all that excess which we feel we need to keep and to accumulate in order to feel we are someone or worthy of recognition. Our hearts cling to stored up treasures in many cases. We feel we have accomplished something or some sort of status when we have things.

Christians are admonished to remember that what our hearts cling to is our treasure. Are we too burdened with things to focus on what is really important to our faith and our lives? Are we willing to share our wealth and goods with those who have nothing or very little? Everything that keeps you from loving and serving God above all things, everything that gets between you and your obedience to Jesus is the treasure to which your heart is clinging.

Do we have too much stuff in our daily lives or do we make room for the real treasure, our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ?

Prayer concerns: Those who have so much and share so little.

Lord, may our true treasure be knowing you and following your word. Let nothing enter to stand in the way of the love you have shared and shown us. Let us love you with our whole hearts and minds. Amen.

Tuesday, August 25
Psalm 103: 1-5

Little Things

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. (v. 1)

Many of us tend to think in large quantities. We as Americans like to think big. Everywhere we go things are super sized, bigger than life or made to seem greater than things are. We as Christians fall into the trap of wanting things larger than life.

As we live our Christian lives, we need to stop to evaluate all things in our lives. Only those who stop to give thanks for even the small gifts will be the recipients of the great gifts as well. We prevent God from giving us the spiritual gifts of: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control by focusing on things which we need not be concerned. We need to practice the spiritual gifts in order to prepare for the great things planned for our lives. We need to trust and thank God for all He has provided and continues to provide for us and our nation.

Prayer concerns: Those who suffer for lack of a faith.

Lord, open our eyes so that we may become aware of the wonderful gifts you provide in our lives and let our lives become hymns of praise and thanksgiving. Amen.

Wednesday, August 26
Psalm 95: 6-7
Obedience
O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! (v. 6)

Many of us have a sense of self-will. We can do it without the help of others. We can make our way without depending on someone else. We are what many of us call self-reliant.

In our faith lives there isn’t room for self-reliance. We have a Father who knows all about us and what it is that we need. All we have to do is ask and believe. All we need will be provided. We must learn to be completely obedient and willing to listen to the still small voice that speaks to us as we go about our lives.

It isn’t always easy to stop and listen to that still small voice because our lives are such a hum of activity. But, only the obedient believe. Only the believers are the blest and granted mercy and grace in the sight of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ‘O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!’

Prayer concerns: Those who have yet to meet and learn about our Maker

Lord, grant us the wisdom to see what you need us to do. Grant us the courage to follow your teachings. Amen.

Thursday, August 27
1 Corinthians 6: 12-20

Costly Grace

You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (v. 20)

When we use the word costly we more often than not think in terms of dollars and cents. That is the human concept of cost. But it is not God’s concept of cost.

Costly grace is found in the gospel. It is the gift provided for each of us if we but seek for it and ask for it. Our Father sent us His son and sacrificed Him for us. This grace requires that we become followers and disciples of Jesus Christ. The price we pay for this grace is dedicating of our selves and lives to the Lord Jesus Christ in all we do and say. We live each day to be of service to our Lord. It is costly grace because our Lord died for us on the cross of Calvary. Can we reject such a gift as that?

Prayer concerns: The church and all Christians, that they will proclaim the gift of grace provided by our Father and Lord.

Thank you, Lord for the gift of your son. Thank you for the costly gift you have offered us freely and without strings attached. Thank you for Jesus the Christ.

Friday, August 28
Psalm 112: 6-9

Righteousness

For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever. (v. 6)

The word righteousness almost seems exaggerated or implies excessive goodness. In the eyes of the world it probably expands in that way. But in the lives of Christians, we work for righteous causes frequently.

As Christians, we are asked to go the extra mile, give the extra inch, love without expecting anything in return. We do this in many ways, daily. We support just causes, frequently. In our actions and lives, those who follow Jesus will be different from the world by giving up property, happiness as the world knows it, rights to do whatever we wish, and unkind acts or violence toward the world and those who inhabit the world. Christians often are rejected because they appear to be the goody two shoes of the world. Christians are often misunderstood because of the worthy causes they support and work for. It is not always easy to work for righteousness sake and for what is not popular in the eyes of the world.

Prayer concerns: People who are working for just causes and the well being of the world.

Lord, give us the wisdom to know what is the right thing to do. Make us willing to work for just causes and the well being of those who need our care and love.

Saturday, August 29
Matthew 5:8

Purity

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

Purity is a big request of us, especially in an unpure and corrupt world. Who is pure in heart? This is a question we may ask and may have difficulty defining.

In the eyes of the Lord, only those who have dedicated themselves completely and given their lives in service to Him are pure in heart and only those who have dedicated their hearts to Jesus. He alone has the power to sustain our purity. We cannot do it of our own will or under our own power. Daily commitment to follow the Lord is required of us. We commit to follow Him as a child obeys parents. We adopt the heart of a child when we commit to purity, the heart in which Jesus rules instead of our own will and conscience. A pure heart belongs undividedly to Christ and to our commitment to live for Him. Those whose hearts mirror Jesus will see God.

Prayer concerns: All children in the world to protect them from a defiling environment.

Lord, help us to mirror your son. Help us to belong entirely to Him. Amen.