Faith and Righteousness

4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” 9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Romans 4:4-9(NLT) As I was reading these past few days I have been in the book of Romans and I have been looking at it and struggling with what it means to my life and walk with Jesus Christ. Than I struggle with how best to relate it to those who read this devotional. What I can tell you from this verse is that if what you are doing in your local church or your life is done out of obligation to God for the sacrifice He made for your soul. Than you need to examine where you are placing your trust. Works do not bring salvation but are a manifestation of what being blessed by God should look like. God's grace has been given freely just as the gifts of the spirit are given to those who believe on Jesus. The problem is we fail to understand and apply these truths to every area of our lives. It is by faith that we are saved. It is by faith that we have been granted eternal life. It is by faith that we pray and live for God to be merciful and hear our prayers. It is by faith that healing comes. It is by faith that prophecy is given to those who by faith will except it. Through our faith we believe that God has already forgiven our sins. It is simple to understand that when Jesus taught of God's grace it was available to all; not just those who looked like and acted like the Jews but this also was by faith. Does your faith reflect the rightouesness of God; or do you walk in your own light? I understand that is a hard question but it is one we need to know the answer too. Are you living in faith in what you are able to do or are you dependent on God? Our faith in God's divine power is what brings righteousness not our faith in ourselves. I leave you with a prayer that Your hearts and minds will find faith in God to a point that He can bless you and everyone you meet. Have a truly blessed day as you walk in the light of God's Word.

Are We There Yet

1 Corinthian 12:4-7, “⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. ⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”

            I believe it is time for us to discuss where the power for ministry really comes from. As we go about our daily lives we take in food and water to maintain our body’s ability to produce energy which we in turn use to complete our daily tasks. When we fail to take in nourishment our bodies do something that I find unique they begin to adjust to the lack of supply and our metabolism slows down. Unless you do certain things, slowly your body can adjust to the decrease without any real changes to your wellbeing as it waits on you to eat again. When we fail to eat again our body begins to shut down until death comes. People have gone as long as 74 days without eating before the body finally gives up. I tell you this because if our body requires nourishment so also does are souls.

            I have to ask you what you are feeding your soul. Are you spending time in God’s word? Are you spending time with other Christians in fellowship and worship? I know we sometimes have that person at church that we really don’t like or maybe we don’t like the music or can’t believe that guy is a teacher. Yeah I have used those same excuses but I have also come to understand it is my relationship to Jesus that should be most important. People will always let you down and possible rub you the wrong way. How we respond to that testifies to our relationship with Jesus. As believers we must come together to worship God and to build one another up. Scripture tells us to, “Bare one another’s burdens” we cannot do that if we never talk to one another. If we do not have relationships with one another than we will never trust each other with our burdens. I say that because for the Holy Spirit to bless us and work through us we need to allow relationships for him to work through.

            We are all gifted with different gifts but we all serve the same God. God has given you those gifts first for the edification or building up of the body of believers. Secondly He has given them as a sign to unbelievers that He is real and that He has a work going on in the world. Are we going to be observers or participants? I promise you the Holy Spirit will provide the power to overcome this world and all the trials we endure. Have a blessed day and hope to see you in church Sunday morning.