Dawn 2 Dusk When Faith Gets a HeartbeatJames gives us a vivid picture: faith can be real in our minds and still feel lifeless in our lives. Today is an invitation to let what you believe become what you do—so your trust in Jesus isn’t just a statement, but a living, breathing witness. Faith Is Meant to Be Alive James doesn’t leave room for a “museum faith”—something preserved, admired, and untouched. He says, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26) If faith is alive, it has movement. It responds. It changes how we speak, what we pursue, and how we treat people when no one is watching. That can feel confronting, but it’s also freeing. You don’t have to wonder what living faith looks like; Scripture makes it practical: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22) Not because doing earns God’s love, but because God’s love awakens us to action. Grace Doesn’t Cancel Effort—It Creates It It’s important to keep the order right: we are not saved by our deeds. “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith… not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9) If you’ve been leaning on your performance, you can exhale. Jesus is enough. But grace is never lazy. The next line tells us what grace produces: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.” (Ephesians 2:10) Good works aren’t the root of salvation; they’re the fruit of it. If nothing is growing, it’s worth asking—not “How can I impress God?” but “Have I been staying close to Christ?” Fruit Grows from Closeness, Not Pressure Trying harder can only take you so far; abiding goes farther. Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches… The one who remains in Me… will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Real deeds don’t come from guilt-fueled striving; they come from relationship—listening, repenting quickly, trusting, and then stepping forward. And the fruit God is after is love with weight to it. “Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.” (1 John 3:18) So ask: Who needs encouragement I’ve delayed? What generosity have I talked about but not done? Where do I need to make something right? Living faith doesn’t just agree with Jesus—it follows Him. Father, thank You for saving me by grace and making me Your workmanship. Help me abide in Christ and put my faith into action today—love through my words, my choices, and my hands. Amen. Evening with A.W. Tozer Benefits of GraceOnly a believing Christian can testify, I am a sinner-saved by the grace of God! But that is not the whole story. All that we have is cut of His grace. Jesus Christ, the eternal Word who became flesh and dwelt among us, is the open channel through whom God moves to provide all the benefits He gives, both to saints and to sinners-yes, even to sinners! Even though you may still be unconverted and going your own way, you have received much out of the ocean of His fullness. You have received the pulsing life that beats in your bosom. You have received the brilliant mind and the brain without which you could not function. You have received a memory that strings the events you cherish as a jeweler strings pearls into a necklace. When we say to an unbelieving man, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, we are actually saying to him: Believe on the One who sustains you and upholds you and who has given you life. Believe in the One who pities you and spares you and keeps you. Believe on the One out of whom you came! Music For the Soul The Healer and the HealedAnd Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. - Mark 10:52 Bartimaeus had scarcely ended speaking when Christ began. He was blind at the beginning of Christ’s little sentence; he saw at the end of it. " Go thy way; thy faith hath saved thee." The answer came instantly, and the cure was as immediate as the movement of Christ’s heart in answer. I here and now proclaim the possibility of an immediate passage from weakness to light. Some folk look askance at us when we talk about sudden conversions, but these are perfectly reasonable; and the experience of thousands asserts that they are actual. As soon as we desire we have, and as soon as we have we see. Whenever the lungs are open the air rushes in; sometimes the air opens the lung that it may. The desire is all but contemporaneous with the fulfillment, in Christ’s dealings with men. The message is flashed along the wire from earth to heaven in an incalculably brief space of time, and the answer comes swift as thought and swifter than light. So, dear friend, there is no reason whatever why a similar instantaneous change should not pass over you now. You are unsaved; you may be saved. It is for yourself to settle whether you are or are not. Here we have a clear statement of the path by which Christ’s mercy rushes into a man’s soul. "Thy faith hath saved thee." But it was Christ’s power that saved him. Yes! it was; but it was faith that made it possible for Christ’s power to make him whole. Physical miracles indeed did not always require trust in Christ, as a preceding condition, but the possession of Christ’s salvation does, and cannot but do. There must be trust in Him in order that we may partake of the salvation which is owing solely to His power, His love, His work upon the Cross. The condition is for us; the power comes from Him. My faith is the hand that grasps His. It is His hand, not mine, that holds me up. My faith lays hold of the rope. It is the rope, and the person above that holds it, that lifts me out of the horrible pit and the miry clay. My faith flees for refuge to the City. It is the City that keeps me safe from the Avenger of Blood. Brother! exercise that faith, and you will find that vision. If you will fling away your hindrances, and grope your path to His feet, and fall down before Him, knowing your deep necessity, and trusting to Him to supply it. He will save you. Your new sight will gaze upon your Redeemer, and you will follow Him in the way of loving trust and glad obedience. Jesus Christ was passing by. He was never to be in Jericho any more. If Bartimaeus did not get his sight then, he would be blind all his days. Christ and His salvation are offered to thee, my friend, now. Perhaps if you let Him pass you will never hear Him call again, and may abide in the darkness for ever. Do not run the risk of such a fate. Spurgeon: Morning and Evening 1 Corinthians 7:20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Some persons have the foolish notion that the only way in which they can live for God is by becoming ministers, missionaries, or Bible women. Alas! how many would be shut out from any opportunity of magnifying the Most High if this were the case. Beloved, it is not office, it is earnestness; it is not position, it is grace which will enable us to glorify God. God is most surely glorified in that cobbler's stall, where the godly worker, as he plies the awl, sings of the Saviour's love, aye, glorified far more than in many a prebendal stall where official religiousness performs its scanty duties. The name of Jesus is glorified by the poor unlearned carter as he drives his horse, and blesses his God, or speaks to his fellow laborer by the roadside, as much as by the popular divine who, throughout the country, like Boanerges, is thundering out the gospel. God is glorified by our serving him in our proper vocations. Take care, dear reader, that you do not forsake the path of duty by leaving your occupation, and take care you do not dishonor your profession while in it. Think little of yourselves, but do not think too little of your callings. Every lawful trade may be sanctified by the gospel to noblest ends. Turn to the Bible, and you will find the most menial forms of labor connected either with most daring deeds of faith, or with persons whose lives have been illustrious for holiness. Therefore be not discontented with your calling. Whatever God has made your position, or your work, abide in that, unless you are quite sure that he calls you to something else. Let your first care be to glorify God to the utmost of your power where you are. Fill your present sphere to his praise, and if he needs you in another he will show it you. This evening lay aside vexatious ambition, and embrace peaceful content. Spurgeon: Faith’s Checkbook Thank Him; Dwell AcceptablyOh, that my heart may be upright, that I may always be able to bless the name of the LORD! He is so good to those that be good, that I would fain be among them and feel myself full of thankfulness every day. Perhaps, for a moment, the righteous are staggered when their integrity results in severe trial; but assuredly the day shall come when they shall bless their God that they did not yield to evil suggestions and adopt a shifty policy. In the long run true men will thank the God of the right for leading them by a right way. Oh, that I may be among them! What a promise is implied in this second clause, "The upright shall dwell in thy presence!" They shall stand accepted where others appear only to be condemned. They shall be the courtiers of the great King, indulged with audience whensoever they desire it. They shall be favored ones upon whom Jehovah smiles and with whom He graciously communes. LORD, I covet this high honor, this precious privilege. It will be heaven on earth to me to enjoy it. Make me in all things upright, that I may today and tomorrow and every day stand in Thy heavenly presence. Then will I give thanks unto Thy name evermore. Amen. The Believer’s Daily Remembrancer Remember Lot’s WifeSHE received the angels, and hospitably entertained them, she believed their message, and prepared to act upon it: she obeyed their command, and left Sodom and her children behind her. She forsook the ungodly, and went in company with the saints; yet her heart was left in the city, and she looked back. She was deprived of life, for too highly prizing its comforts. She was cut off by a visible display of God’s judgment. The situation in which she died was instructive: it was not in Sodom, but on the plain; she escaped one judgment, but was overtaken by another. She was left as sad example of God’s jealousy, and displeasure against sin. Here is a warning to the covetous, whose hearts are set on things below; to the self-willed, who trifle with God’s commands; and to the undecided, who stand between Sodom and Zoar. God will be honoured by our obedience, or by our sufferings. It is dangerous to trifle with the smallest of God’s commands. We may overcome one temptation, and yet fall by another. Let us examine, are our hearts detached from the world? Be not high-minded, but fear. Remember Lot’s wife. Waiting for our Lord’s returning, Be it ours His word to keep; Let our lamps be always burning; Let us watch, while others sleep; We’re no longer of the night; We are children of the light. Bible League: Living His Word “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”— Matthew 6:27 NLT Are you the one that always worries about things? You may say, “I can’t just sit there and do nothing—life demands some concern.” Responsible people go over things. Lazy people don’t. You don’t want to be lazy. You want to be the kind of person that takes things seriously. You want to be known for the care and concern that you bring to the world. Do you go over and over everything that comes your way? And, if truth be told, do you go over everything that comes the way of friends and family as well? You don’t worry some of the time. You worry all of the time. You worry about all the bad things that could happen. You think that by going over all the possibilities for disaster, you’re being responsible. You think that by reminding others of all the possibilities, you’re helping them. If they can’t worry for themselves, then you’ll do it for them. They might not realize what they’re in for. They might not be aware of what could happen. So, you won’t let them leave until you warn them of everything bad that could happen. You’re also filled with anxiety. Worry isn’t enough for you. Fear and anxiety are necessary as well. You see that your friends and family don’t bring the same kind of care and concern to the situation that you do, and it fills you with distress. Surely, the worst will happen because they don’t care as much as you do. You allow yourself to be tormented and worn out by your anxieties. By the end of the day, you’re exhausted. If all this describes you, then our verse for today is for you. The thing about worry is that it can’t do anything for you. It can’t add a single moment to your life. Psalm 139 says that God numbered our days before there were any of them. You must trust the will of our sovereign God. Instead of helping, worry only adds a burden. Instead of solving a problem, it adds a second one. Now you have to deal with your worries and anxieties. Jesus’ question in our verse doesn’t expect an answer. It expects you to give up your worries. It expects you to trust God to take care of you and your loved ones. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 143:2 And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no man living is righteous.Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool. Isaiah 27:5 "Or let him rely on My protection, Let him make peace with Me, Let him make peace with Me." Job 22:21 "Yield now and be at peace with Him; Thereby good will come to you. Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Galatians 2:16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. Romans 3:20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. Acts 13:39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. 1 Corinthians 15:57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven't done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”Insight What does your money mean to you? Although Jesus wanted this man to sell everything and give his money to the poor, this does not mean that all believers should sell all their possessions. Most of his followers did not sell everything, although they used their possessions to serve others. Instead, this story shows us that we must not let anything we have or desire keep us from following Jesus. We must remove all barriers to serving him fully. Challenge If Jesus asked, could you give up your house? Your car? Your level of income? Your position on the ladder of promotion? Your reaction may show your attitude toward money—whether it is your servant or your master. Devotional Hours Within the Bible False Excuses“A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.” This supper is a picture of the blessings of redemption. The redemption of Christ is said to be great he who prepares it, its blessings, and the numbers who enjoy it, its eternal duration, and the sweetness of its joys all are great. At a feast men provide the best provisions they can obtain; in the gospel we have the best that heaven has to give. At a feast there is plenty; in the gospel there is infinite abundance. There is pleasant fellowship at a feast, and the gospel brings us into intimate communion with God and into sweet fellowship with other Christians. There is one marked contrast, however earth’s feasts are soon over, while the gospel feast is unending. Next comes the invitation. “Come, for everything is now ready!” One of the things included, is forgiveness of sins. Deep in every soul, is the consciousness of sin and of separation from God because of sin. There is therefore a craving for the taking away of sin, and peace never can come until this craving is satisfied. Another hunger of the heart is for fellowship with God. The human soul was made for God and never can find rest until it finds it in reconciliation to God and restored communion with Him. Human friendship is very sweet and brings deep joy but we need also the love of God in our hearts to make the satisfaction complete. One who did not know the facts, would say that this invitation would find universal acceptance. We can scarcely think of anybody declining the invitation to such a festival as this. But instead of universal acceptance, “They all alike, began to make excuses!” Most people are eager to accept social honors. But this is a spiritual feast. It is not this world’s dainties which load the table but the things of God’s love. The joy to which men are here invited, is not earth’s festivity but the joy of forgiveness of sin and communion with God. To accept this invitation, men must leave their sins and enter upon a new life of holiness. The natural heart does not take kindly to this. The refusal of those invited, is true to nature. The excuses given, are only excuses they are not real reasons. The truth is, that those invited do not want to come to this feast, and therefore make up pretexts having the appearance of reasons for not accepting the invitation. Men do not like to say bluntly, that they will not come to Christ, nor accept His mercy and love. That would seem discourteous. Hence they resort to insincerity and hypocrisy, revealing under all kinds of flimsy and empty pretexts, their unwillingness to accept Christ as their Savior and Friend. The excuses which are given, are typical . One man said, “I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.” This may be called the property excuse. That was a very costly piece of ground to its new owner, when we consider that it kept him away altogether from Christ and deprived him of eternal possessions. Yet there are many fields which have done this very thing. They have cost men their souls. The parable is not overdrawn. There are a great many people who lose their souls for things worth even less than a ten-acre field. Esau got only a plain meal as the price of his birthright. Judas got about twelve or thirteen dollars for his act of treason to his Master which has blackened his name for all generations, and which sent his soul into eternal darkness. Caring for property is always an insidious danger. It is not meant to be a snare to men; business ought to be a help heavenward. And it is when it is followed as our Master means that it shall be followed. Many men, however, are led to give more thought to planning how to make the most of their farms and their money than to the saving of their souls and making the most of their spiritual lives. The second man offers the business excuse. “I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.” He already had engagements for the day on which the feast came, business engagements which he thought he could not set aside rather, which he would not set aside. He had no thought of postponing the breaking in of his oxen in order that he might attend the great gospel feast. That is, he was not willing to make a little readjustment of his business arrangements, even to honor his God and to get a new blessing for himself. The business of trying the oxen certainly could have waited another day but the man missed the feast altogether, while he spent the day out in the dusty field. Many people are kept away from the church services, from Christian duties, and from Christ Himself by business occupations. They say they have no time to pray or read the Bible, because their work is so pressing. They have no time to go to church, or to take an interest in spiritual affairs, because their worldly duties press them so. One man said the other day, that he always played golf on Sunday. His business during the week required every moment of his days. His mind was under a constant strain. In order to be able to begin again this life of stress on Monday he must have absolute rest on Sunday. He found this relaxation nowhere, he said, as he did in golf. This is the way many men talk about the matter of religion. They have no time for it. They need Sunday for rest. Yet some of these days they will have to take time to be sick; and then, someday, time to die. What comfort will they get in these hours, from all their life of engrossing business cares? The third man gave pleasure as his excuse. “I just got married, and therefore I am unable to come.” He was so much taken up with the joys of wedded life, that he could not turn aside. There is no doubt that home pleasures and delights do often so absorb people as to keep them away from Christian duties, and even from Christ. Sometimes the very blessings of home life interfere with faithful following of Christ. A loving wife may unintentionally hold her husband back from Christian service, by the exactions of her affection. She is unwilling to spare him from her side that he may do the work which the Master would have him do. Peter in his love for his Master would have kept Him from going to His cross. Too often a happy home by its very happiness, so satisfies men’s hearts that they do not feel the necessity for anything more. We all need to watch that we never allow our home or our love for dear ones to keep us in any sense from our full duty to Christ. If we love father or mother, wife or friend, more than Christ we are not worthy of Him. When the master received the “excuses” of his invited guests, he bade his servant go out quickly into the streets and lanes, and bring in the poor, the maimed, the blind, and the lame. The servant did this and reported, “Yet there is room!” There is always room. The heart of God is never full. The church is never full its doors ever stand open and its welcome is ever extended to everyone who will come. Heaven is never full there are places remaining still unfilled in its many mansions. In the description of heaven in the Book of Revelation we are told that the city has twelve gates, three entering from each point of the compass (Revelation 21:10-13). These gates forever voice heaven’s welcome to all those who will come. They are never shut, by day or by night, and no matter when one may come he will find ready admission and glorious welcome. Heaven must be filled. If those who are first invited will not come, the invitation is extended to others and pressed upon them. “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in,” was the bidding. These words show us the importance of earnestness in those whose duty it is to invite men to the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not merely to find Christ ourselves, and then be satisfied. The first impulse of the true Christian is to seek other lost ones. The words of the parable suggest, first, that we are to go into all the world, wherever there is a lost soul, and invite all men to come. We are to invite them earnestly, to constrain them, to press the invitation upon them. The morning papers the other day, told of a policeman rushing into a burning building, climbing the stairways, through flame and smoke to save a mother and her children. We should have similar earnestness in rescuing perishing souls! How will it be with us when we reach the end of our life if we have not rescued anyone from the storms and the dangers? On the other hand, much of the joy of heaven will come from meeting those whom we have been allowed to bring to Christ. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingJob 10, 11, 12 Job 10 -- Job Complains to God, Craves a Little Ease Before Death NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Job 11 -- Zophar Rebukes Job for Justifying Himself; God's Wisdom Is Unsearchable NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Job 12 -- Job Maintains Himself against His Friends; Acknowledges God's Omnipotence NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Acts 8:1-25 Acts 8 -- Saul Persecutes the Church; Philip in Samaria; Simon the Sorcerer; the Ethiopian NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. |
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