implemented

Sunday, June 9, 2013 (7:06 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Thank You for safe travels and loving, helpful neighbors. Thank You for deep, sound sleep in the comforts of our own bed. Thank You for lessons learned and some even brought home to be implemented into our every day lives.

(8:28 a.m.)

Father God, You are so good. So kind. So gracious. Thank You Father. Thank You for the blessings that surround us. Thank You for the opportunity to doze as birds chirp and to completely forget where I am in the process.

How I ask that we would bring the appreciation of simply joys to the forefront of our being. Wouldn't glorifying and enjoying You forever meet that end? Yes Father. Work in and through each of us this (and every) day to that goal.

James 2:22 seems to expand on that very theme. “Can't you see that his [Abraham's] faith and his actions were, so to speak, partners – that his faith was implemented by his deed?”

The Illustrated Bible Handbook begins its section on Chapter 2:14-26. Faith and Life stating, “In this significant paragraph, James argues that a 'faith' which fails to produce good works is empty.” It goes on saying, “James makes a clear distinction here between 'belief about' and 'trust in'.” As I continue reading my insides are screaming, “YES!”

“James' thought is that faith is like the roots and trunk of a tree, which is 'perfected' or made complete when it produces fruit.” Father, we truly desire to produce good fruit representing the changes You are making in our lives.

Praise You Father for yet another teaching reminding us of the importance of following through with actions as well as trust in You. James spoke of “a dynamic inner transformation, which by its nature must be evidenced by a change in one's life.”

Us coming home after a joyous time away is the perfect time for changes to be implemented in the day-to-day living of our lives. I look to You to spearhead these changes! YOU can do in and through each of us that which we are completely incapable of doing on our own.

I look to You Blessed Father. Lovingly. Trustingly. Dependently. Thank You for the blessings. Implement them securely that we will use them well.

We love You. We thank You. And we ask You to use us well this day. Thank You Dearest Father. Amen.

(404 words ~ 9:14 a.m.)