Praise and Prayer

This week God has really blessed me with so much abudance...it started off as a rough week but He(God) just reminds me of how much love and joy there is in life. Lately, I have been worried about my marks in my Advanced Stats course, it is a prerequisite for CGA and I got my marks back. Praise God! I was honestly expecting to only get a 70% at least aiming for it but ended up getting in the 80's. I praise God also for providing me with wonderful friends that have been there for me these last few weeks when I have been feeling really down. Lord, you know what i need before I ask and You continue to provide....and I thank you. I may have many "friends" but those that you hold dear/cherish are those that are there for you no matter what, even if it's words of encouragement, are listening to me "babble", venting as I call it. You (my friends) will never know how much I'm so glad you're in my life.

Not only school that has made me anxious the last few weeks and worried but also things happening at work. I pray for better communication, patience with my coworkers...sometimes it's been rough...all I can do is pray. Our Fellowship as well is going through some changes, please pray for our group, and Marc as well(acting Chair) while Cliff is away. Pray for our Bible study leaders this week and Open Doors tomorrow. I am excited/nervous about playing/leading worship tomorrow as it's kinda hard to play piano and sing at the same time...but God provides.

The Epistle of James

Three Kinds of Faith:

I. Dead faith: Substitutes words for deeds...
a. You know the correct vocabulary for prayer and sound doctrine.
You can quote the right verses from the Bible
b. But their "walk" does not measure up to their "talk"

II. Demonic faith: Perhaps to shock any complacent raders, James reminds us that...
a. Even "demons" have a kind of faith!
1. They believe in God (no athesists or agnostics here!)
2. They even believe in the diety of Christ (Mr 3:11-12)
3. They also believe in the existence of a place of condemnation (Lk 8:31)
4. They believe Jesus will be the Judge! (Matt 8:28-29)

b. What kind of faith do "demons" have?
1. We saw that the man with "dead faith" was "touched only in his intellect"
2. The demons are "touched also in their emotions" (note that they "believe and tremble")
3. This is one step above a "dead faith"- it involves both INTELLECT and EMOTIONS

III. Dynamic faith: faith that is based upon the Word of God (Ro 10:17)
This faith involves the WHOLE MAN...whereas:
- Dead faith as mentioned earlier touches only the intellect
- Demonic faith involves both mind and emotions
- Dynamic faith involves intellect, the emotoins AND the WILL!

1. The MIND understands the truth.
2. The HEART acts upon the truth.
3. The WILL acts upon the truth.

True saving faith, then LEADS TO ACTION
a. It is not intellectual contemplatoin
b. It is not emotionalism
c. It is that which leads to obedience in doing good works.

In Summary: It is important that each professing Christian examine his/her own heart and life and make sure that they possess true saving faith, which is a dynamic faith.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;

try me and know my anxieties;

And see if there is any wicked way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting."

~Psalms 139:23-24~

Source: Pastor Nelson's Sunday School notes...also the NIV Bible.