This past Sunday, we started a new teaching series at church called The Great Co-Mission.
Bruxy Cavey, our teaching pastor, asked us a few very thought-provoking questions... challenging us to think about what it takes to become a disciple of Jesus. Bruxy said this, "Faith that isn't actively following Jesus is something other than faith."
Yup, that's right... you know, dead faith! "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:14,17,26)" Here are those questions...
Yup, that's right... you know, dead faith! "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:14,17,26)" Here are those questions...
Do I want His courage and His compassion to grow within me?
Do I want to care for weak people, hurting people, and unpopular people?
Do I want to stop caring about being popular, attractive, and successful?
Do I want to say no to what is holding me back and yes to what will help me move forward?
My answer is YES! Because He's worth it...
Yet, if I really think about it... answering YES to the above questions will involve sacrifice... it will involve suffering... it will involve letting go.
But this is what Jesus says, "If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. (John 15:10-11, emphasis mine.)"
Have a listen to Bruxy's teaching here...
{Please pause the playlist on the sidebar of this blog as you watch this video.}
A complete joy... yes, I want that!
Yet, if I really think about it... answering YES to the above questions will involve sacrifice... it will involve suffering... it will involve letting go.
But this is what Jesus says, "If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. (John 15:10-11, emphasis mine.)"
Have a listen to Bruxy's teaching here...
{Please pause the playlist on the sidebar of this blog as you watch this video.}
A complete joy... yes, I want that!
Spend the whole of your one wild and beautiful life investing in many lives and God simply will not be outdone. God extravagantly pays back everything we give away and exactly in the currency that is not of this world but the one we yearn for: joy in Him.
~ Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts.
This month of October, I am participating in a blog link up called 31 Day Series. I will be writing about Celebrating JOY! Click on the banner below for 1000+ other topics!
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I promise you will be blessed!
Compassion is a command, an act of worship, a song of thanks to Him.
Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God!
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