Hi girls!
I had a video blog post all ready for today, but it won't upload right now. :/ I will try again this weekend - but in the mean time, I'm thankful for all we learned this week and for your comments and postings.
Let's honor Christ with all we do this weekend, and I'll see you back here again on Monday for the beginning of James chapter 3! :)
Love in Him,
~Cait
Friday, March 4, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
James 2:20-24
"By their fruit you will recognize them..."
-matthew 7:16
This passage came to mind when i read for today.
Its so true. You can tell that those who do good, do it for the love they have for Christ. Its out of nothing but pure thanks and praise that they do what they do....and without even knowing it sometimes!
I dont think its any "amount" that shows one faith that is stronger than another. All God wants is a willing heart! Its not like our actions are, or ever could be sufficient enough for God. In fact it angers God when we do "good" simply for our own salvation and not out of a heart of faith. He just wants our hearts. When we have true faith in our hearts (given by God) we just cant help showing it!
James 2:18-24
"Good works are not necessary to earn salvation, but they are necessary for evidence as to the existence of faith in the heart of a man; for where they are to be found, there one may conclude that true faith lives in the heart, and so the works indirectly justify a person." -Kretzmann
Our readings in James over the last couple of days have left me without words. I've been thinking alot about the correlation between the two - faith and good works - and although I learned from a very young age that what I do cannot save me, I still get tied up in the complexity of it all. Reading the above quote this morning helped my understanding immensely. I feel that Kretzmann did a great job of summing it up the way he did.
But I still ask questions. Questions like, "if faith and deeds go hand in hand, how many deeds are enough?" If that makes sense...I mean - we'll never each live perfectly for all 24 hours of our 7 days each week. So how many and what kind of deeds show real, living faith in a person? Or do the "amount" of good deeds flowing out of faith simply identify the strength of such a faith? Because I'm reminded of the parable of the seed. Am I the rocky soil that can't hold onto the seed and give it root so that I easily fall when temptation strikes? Am I the thorny ground that chokes out the seed by worrying and becoming easily distracted from the God-things that really matter to the pleasures of the world that never let me mature?
Or am I the good soil, with a honest heart that holds fast to the seed and is able to bear fruit with perseverence?
I am seeking mightily who and where I am in Christ some days. I tend to be a perfectionist, so it's hard sometimes to think who I am is ever enough; yet I want to bathe in His grace and remember that God knows I'm only dust. He understands my weaknesses and wonderings who am I? and where do I need to grow?
That is why Jesus died, isn't it? Because he knew we could not be enough on our own. Even with a faith as small as a mustard seed that sometimes moves mountains, he knew we'd need more than that.
His sufficiency is my grace today.
Praying that my ramblings and mumblings did not serve to discourage you, my dear friends. Thank you for hearing me and being here!
Growing with you,
Love,
~Cait
P.S. I also wanted to include this video. The first half of it really summarizes our readings this week. I find hearing other Christians speaking the truth in love so encouraging and inspiring!
Our readings in James over the last couple of days have left me without words. I've been thinking alot about the correlation between the two - faith and good works - and although I learned from a very young age that what I do cannot save me, I still get tied up in the complexity of it all. Reading the above quote this morning helped my understanding immensely. I feel that Kretzmann did a great job of summing it up the way he did.
But I still ask questions. Questions like, "if faith and deeds go hand in hand, how many deeds are enough?" If that makes sense...I mean - we'll never each live perfectly for all 24 hours of our 7 days each week. So how many and what kind of deeds show real, living faith in a person? Or do the "amount" of good deeds flowing out of faith simply identify the strength of such a faith? Because I'm reminded of the parable of the seed. Am I the rocky soil that can't hold onto the seed and give it root so that I easily fall when temptation strikes? Am I the thorny ground that chokes out the seed by worrying and becoming easily distracted from the God-things that really matter to the pleasures of the world that never let me mature?
Or am I the good soil, with a honest heart that holds fast to the seed and is able to bear fruit with perseverence?
I am seeking mightily who and where I am in Christ some days. I tend to be a perfectionist, so it's hard sometimes to think who I am is ever enough; yet I want to bathe in His grace and remember that God knows I'm only dust. He understands my weaknesses and wonderings who am I? and where do I need to grow?
That is why Jesus died, isn't it? Because he knew we could not be enough on our own. Even with a faith as small as a mustard seed that sometimes moves mountains, he knew we'd need more than that.
His sufficiency is my grace today.
Praying that my ramblings and mumblings did not serve to discourage you, my dear friends. Thank you for hearing me and being here!
Growing with you,
Love,
~Cait
P.S. I also wanted to include this video. The first half of it really summarizes our readings this week. I find hearing other Christians speaking the truth in love so encouraging and inspiring!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
James 2:18-19
My response to yesterday's reading was similar to Becca's. I got to thinking about the people I know who believe there is a God, but who don't trust in him as their Savior. This verse about even the demons believing really struck me, because it is harsh and almost sarcastic, even. It reminded me that there are going to be people whom I encounter who need to hear the law. People who are unrepentant need to be loved by hearing the harsh reality that, whether they are leading a decent life or not, they are doomed to hell if their spirit is not one that cries, "Thank you for saving me, this poor sinner! Help me to love you."
I was leafing through and found this in Ezekiel:
"When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his, life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself." Ezekiel 3:16
God, help me to seek and to speak your word. It is powerful to save!
James 2:18-19
This verse reminds me so much of the conversations i have with my coworkers at times. They say, "yea, i believe there is a God and i do my best to live as a good person, ill hope i can go to heaven" or "if all good people go to heaven, and im good, why go to church?" They understand that yes, we should do good works...but they just don't understand "why?"
The verse says," you believe there is a God, good!"...."even the demons believe that"
(and look where the demons are!)
Yes, believing in God is a start, but its not the end!
I am confident that my faith and deeds are working hand in hand. I do nothing to be overbearing in my faith when im at work, yet to the ones i work with, im the one with...as they say..."strong religious beliefs"
How else are they to see that i have the hope of eternal life, if i dont act like it?!
Its my goal to purposely "rub off" on them through my deeds in this way so that they might have the hope of eternal life as well!
Praise God, that by my actions "they" are curious about my God!!!
Isn't this what we are called to do?
YES! :)
it gets me so excited!!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
James 2:18-19
Hi girls,
I just want to start out by saying sorry for not being very active on here lately. I had midterms last week, my great grandmother died, and I'm in my EFE (Early Field Experience) right now and I feel like I haven't had a lot time lately to do anything or have a few minutes to just gather my thoughts and breathe! I know that there are never any excuses to justify skipping my daily Bible study, because being in God's word is exactly what I need in this time of stress and business. I also want to be part of the accountability aspect of this study as well, so I don't let you guys down! :) With that being said, I'm going to try and turn over a new leaf.
This reading really makes you think about your faith. In order to show our faith we DO, not just say. The way we live is one of the only ways we can show God our love for Him. I feel like it's also how we can show our complete trust also. If we completely put our trust in God, then we would be able to do His will SO much more easily. We wouldn't have any trouble doing things that we think are going to benefit us more, than if we followed God's will. It's crazy to think that we act the way we do because we are not only weak, but we think so highly of ourselves that we feel like sinning is actually best for us sometimes. God is so wonderful and forgiving that He looks past our weaknesses and pride. He forgives us and helps us get through our temptations.
"We love because He first loved us."
Have a great week everyone! I teach second graders tomorrow for EFE and would appreciate your prayers. :) Also, my great grandmother's funeral is tomorrow, which I can't make, but my family is going. So please also pray that God is with everyone at the funeral tomorrow, and that He comforts them during this hard time. I love you girls! God's blessings on your night!
I just want to start out by saying sorry for not being very active on here lately. I had midterms last week, my great grandmother died, and I'm in my EFE (Early Field Experience) right now and I feel like I haven't had a lot time lately to do anything or have a few minutes to just gather my thoughts and breathe! I know that there are never any excuses to justify skipping my daily Bible study, because being in God's word is exactly what I need in this time of stress and business. I also want to be part of the accountability aspect of this study as well, so I don't let you guys down! :) With that being said, I'm going to try and turn over a new leaf.
This reading really makes you think about your faith. In order to show our faith we DO, not just say. The way we live is one of the only ways we can show God our love for Him. I feel like it's also how we can show our complete trust also. If we completely put our trust in God, then we would be able to do His will SO much more easily. We wouldn't have any trouble doing things that we think are going to benefit us more, than if we followed God's will. It's crazy to think that we act the way we do because we are not only weak, but we think so highly of ourselves that we feel like sinning is actually best for us sometimes. God is so wonderful and forgiving that He looks past our weaknesses and pride. He forgives us and helps us get through our temptations.
"We love because He first loved us."
Have a great week everyone! I teach second graders tomorrow for EFE and would appreciate your prayers. :) Also, my great grandmother's funeral is tomorrow, which I can't make, but my family is going. So please also pray that God is with everyone at the funeral tomorrow, and that He comforts them during this hard time. I love you girls! God's blessings on your night!
Monday, February 28, 2011
James 2:14-17
Good morning girls!
It looks like we'll be reading alot about the relationship between faith and actions this week, so I want to share with you a few quotes that I found helpful in my study this morning!
"Works are a necessary, concomitant, inevitable fruit of real faith." -Kretzmann's Commetary
"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." -Galations 5:6
"A man is justified by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone." -Martin Luther
It can be difficult as a Christian, at times, to see ourselves "in the faces of the crowd" that James addresses in this part of chapter two. It's easy to pass over it, reassuring ourselves that we are Christians who, um, OF COURSE, believe that Jesus saved us from our sins, and that he'll bring us to heaven someday. We know the Creeds, we are thankful for His sacrifice for us, we try to be aware of his blessings. The End. That's it - we're good, right?
But just how often haven't I reflected on times in my own life where I ask myself where that string of lonely, godly-actionless days came from? How could I be that way? I surely didn't resemble a woman of faith then! What happens when we know in the deep caverns of our hearts that we are faith-filled people, yet time elapses without the proof thereof? What's missing - what gives?
John 15:5 says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing."
God is reminding me there that remaining in Him means reading, studying, abiding in His Word. His Word is the water, food, and fertilizer that keeps me, the branch, firmly connected to Him, the Vine...and not only connected, but growing, producing fruit and flowers, and beauty that lasts. Proof.
On our own we are small and weak and without the capacity to prove our faith by the dirty rags we call our "good works".
Only by His power and life-blood running through us by His Word can we do his will and show his love at all. This truth is becoming more and more apparent to me every day. It is giving me hope. Hope that I don't need to try at all to be a godly woman. Because all my trying only produces failing.
But I am filled with energy and uncontainable joy that he will do everything through me and spur me on by simply remaining in Him.
Remaining in Christ may look different for everyone, but the one thing that is the same is the presence of God's Word.
We can't remain in Him by only going to church on Sunday morning.
We can't remain in Him by only reading Christian books.
We can't remain in Him by only having Christian friends and a Christian family.
We CAN remain in Him by remaining in His Word.
I may sound like a broken record lately writing about the power of being regular readers of our Bibles. But it's not myself in whom I boast, it is and can only be in Christ. I have always struggled to study the Bible daily.
I still struggle, but one thing I know is that lately something is propelling me back again and again, something is getting hungrier inside me for the Life-giving strength and assurances found in this Book...and through subsequent prayer...And I know, girls, you know what that something is. :)
Praying you hunger today, and that your hunger may be filled in Him!
Love you all,
Have a beautiful Monday!!
~Cait
It looks like we'll be reading alot about the relationship between faith and actions this week, so I want to share with you a few quotes that I found helpful in my study this morning!
"Works are a necessary, concomitant, inevitable fruit of real faith." -Kretzmann's Commetary
"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." -Galations 5:6
"A man is justified by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone." -Martin Luther
It can be difficult as a Christian, at times, to see ourselves "in the faces of the crowd" that James addresses in this part of chapter two. It's easy to pass over it, reassuring ourselves that we are Christians who, um, OF COURSE, believe that Jesus saved us from our sins, and that he'll bring us to heaven someday. We know the Creeds, we are thankful for His sacrifice for us, we try to be aware of his blessings. The End. That's it - we're good, right?
But just how often haven't I reflected on times in my own life where I ask myself where that string of lonely, godly-actionless days came from? How could I be that way? I surely didn't resemble a woman of faith then! What happens when we know in the deep caverns of our hearts that we are faith-filled people, yet time elapses without the proof thereof? What's missing - what gives?
John 15:5 says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing."
God is reminding me there that remaining in Him means reading, studying, abiding in His Word. His Word is the water, food, and fertilizer that keeps me, the branch, firmly connected to Him, the Vine...and not only connected, but growing, producing fruit and flowers, and beauty that lasts. Proof.
On our own we are small and weak and without the capacity to prove our faith by the dirty rags we call our "good works".
Only by His power and life-blood running through us by His Word can we do his will and show his love at all. This truth is becoming more and more apparent to me every day. It is giving me hope. Hope that I don't need to try at all to be a godly woman. Because all my trying only produces failing.
But I am filled with energy and uncontainable joy that he will do everything through me and spur me on by simply remaining in Him.
Remaining in Christ may look different for everyone, but the one thing that is the same is the presence of God's Word.
We can't remain in Him by only going to church on Sunday morning.
We can't remain in Him by only reading Christian books.
We can't remain in Him by only having Christian friends and a Christian family.
We CAN remain in Him by remaining in His Word.
I may sound like a broken record lately writing about the power of being regular readers of our Bibles. But it's not myself in whom I boast, it is and can only be in Christ. I have always struggled to study the Bible daily.
I still struggle, but one thing I know is that lately something is propelling me back again and again, something is getting hungrier inside me for the Life-giving strength and assurances found in this Book...and through subsequent prayer...And I know, girls, you know what that something is. :)
Praying you hunger today, and that your hunger may be filled in Him!
Love you all,
Have a beautiful Monday!!
~Cait
Sunday, February 27, 2011
New Week
These past couple weeks have been exhausting and frustrating, to say the least. Bogged down with the flu, lots of homework, and crappy weather, my outlook has been pretty bleak these days. However, despite the circumstances, you girls and your posts have helped me pull through. I've been reading your uplifting and enlightening words as much as possible, and while I haven't posted one of my own in awhile, it's been wonderful being encouraged by you. It also helps me get outside of myself by realizing that there is other people and other things going on in this world, and my problems are not anywhere near as bad as they could be. I want to thank you for that, and know that your thoughts and heart-murmurs do not go unheard.
Here's to a brand-new (if not very busy!) week in our ever-faithful Father...
May He continue to hold us in His hands and keep our hearts yearning towards His.
Love you all :)
Here's to a brand-new (if not very busy!) week in our ever-faithful Father...
May He continue to hold us in His hands and keep our hearts yearning towards His.
Love you all :)
Week 5 Starts Tomorrow!
Week 5 Printable
Week 6 Printable
Hey everyone!
I know we've all been busy these last couple of weeks, but I pray that you keep on with your daily readings so that God can be close to your heart and teach you things essential to your walk with Him! It's not always easy, but it's always worth it! :)
We're already one-third of the way through James and our first GMG session, and I am humbled and grateful to say that I feel like my relationship with God is more alive and my hunger for Him has been growing with each passing week! The power of God's word is more than impressive, and there is nothing and no one to credit other than our loving Lord! He is so good!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and I hope to "see you" this week! :)
Love in Him,
~Cait
Week 6 Printable
Hey everyone!
I know we've all been busy these last couple of weeks, but I pray that you keep on with your daily readings so that God can be close to your heart and teach you things essential to your walk with Him! It's not always easy, but it's always worth it! :)
We're already one-third of the way through James and our first GMG session, and I am humbled and grateful to say that I feel like my relationship with God is more alive and my hunger for Him has been growing with each passing week! The power of God's word is more than impressive, and there is nothing and no one to credit other than our loving Lord! He is so good!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and I hope to "see you" this week! :)
Love in Him,
~Cait
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
