Work Gracefully

• Printable Version - Share on Facebook - Posted by Dion Todd Jun 2 - Filed in Devotional - 3,690 views
  You see then that by works, a man is justified, and not only by faith. In the same way, wasn't Rahab the prostitute also justified by works, in that she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead. James 2:24 WEB
  
  Growing up on a farm with two brothers and ten step-siblings, I got to see first-hand the differences between those who were pleasing to their parents, and those who were not. The parents could ask one child to do something and they would. This pleased the parents and sometimes there would be a reward for the child. The child and the parents were both happy.
  
  Some of the other children, when simply asked to come home after work, would land in jail with a DUI instead. This seemed to hurt the parents, the child got no reward, and they were all sad. Of course the parents tried to love all of the children whether they obeyed their wishes or not, for they were all a part of the family, but there was joy and a reward for those who were obedient.
  
  God loves each of us and we should respond to that by doing good. When we do, there will be a reward. We gain joy, fulfillment, and self-worth by doing good, as well as the favor of God on our life. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19). Who will eat the good of the land? The willing and the obedient.
  
  Ask, Action, Reward: When God asks you to do something and you take action, there will be a reward. You can't shuffle the order. The Lord rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). The love of God is free and you cannot earn it, but your life can be pleasing to Him, or not. Abel was pleasing to God, but his brother Cain was not (Genesis 4:4).
  
  We are saved by grace through faith, which is the unmerited favor of God (Ephesians 2:8), but good works should follow us, for faith without works is dead (James 2:26). No amount of good works will get you to heaven without faith in Jesus, but He also said: 'Why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?' (Luke 6:46). We should believe in Jesus, but we should also do what He tells us.
  
  Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You for Your favor on my life. I am willing, give me the grace to be obedient as well. Lead me into all that You have for me on this earth and make what is important to You, important to me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
  
  Note: For those participating in the Creation Photography weekly themes, here is this week's challenge: Genesis 8:22 ~ 'As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.' ~ 'Reflections of Summer' will be our next fun theme and is open wide for creative interpretation! As always, we also encourage you to post anything else that inspires you as well. My photos this week reflect a few quiet moments we have managed to find so far this summer. Though it hasn't been easy lately, nature does bring us much peace so we still try to escape to God's beautiful Creations as often as possible. Have a wonderful and blessed first week of June y'all. God bless! Here is the link: Creation Photographers
  
  
  

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