Are both your oars in the water? By Theresa Zuber

One of the first sermons that our son, Andy preached was on “Faith and Deeds.” He had an illustration that I have never forgotten. A man was trying to explain how faith and deeds work together. He got into a small boat and rowed out a ways from the shore. “Pretend that this oar is faith” he said as he used just one of the oars to paddle. The boat turned in a clockwise circle. “This is the progress a man makes when he lives on faith alone.” As he put down the first oar, he picked up the second. He began to row on the opposite side of the boat. “This is what it looks like when a man lives on deeds alone.” The boat began to turn in counter-clockwise circles on the water. “But” the man said, as he picked up both oars, “When you use the two together, they complement one another.” As the man rowed the boat back to shore he stated, “With both faith and deeds working together, you can accomplish something for God.”

James 2:¹⁴What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? ¹⁵Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. ¹⁸But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”

The footnote for James 2:14 in my Life Application Bible says, “True faith transforms our conduct as well as our thoughts. If our lives remain unchanged, we don’t truly believe the truths we claim to believe.”

In Philippians 3:2,3 the early Christians were having a hard time getting past the old law and the mentality of earning a place with God. My footnote there says, “What believers do is a result of faith, not a prerequisite to faith… God values the attitude of our hearts above all else…God notices all you do for him and will reward you for it, but ONLY if it comes as a loving response to his free gift of salvation.”

Ephesians 2 ^{8 ”}For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

God’s wants us to be so blown away by our salvation that we feel compelled to do good in His name. Our normal response should be an outpouring of gratitude to God that manifests itself in such works as serving others, showering love on others, sharing the gospel with those who don’t understand, encouraging fellow Christians & building his kingdom.

When my children were small, they argued with each other. Sometimes if it got loud enough, or rough enough, I would step in and calm things down. Usually I would demand that they apologize to each other. You’ve heard it before. “SORRY!”-- Said with feeling (except that the feeling is “I don’t want to be apologizing to you, YOU JERK!”) I repeatedly told them that an apology is not enough, there has to be actions to match the words. The apology was worthless unless it was meaningful. It is the same with our faith. Deeds give truth and fullness to our words of faith in God and Christ Jesus.

And like all great scriptures, it ties in with others and bleeds over into other areas. Paul instructs us that faith also works hand in hand with love; that even the greatest, mountain-moving faith is worthless without love. “1 Corinthians 13 ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”

God, I am so blown away by you. Completely in awe that you would choose me. Me. Why – I don’t know, but I’m SO thankful that you did. And now, I can’t do enough for you. Not to try to pay you back, for there’s NO PRICE I could pay that would match the price your son paid for me. I do what I can because I love you. And just maybe, the “things” I do will draw others to you, also. And that would be a gift I would be honored to lay at your feet.

Upcoming Harvest by Theresa Zuber

Soon it will be harvest time. Farmers will be comparing notes on how their crops have done this year. What type of seed did they use? What chemicals? What sort of fertilizer? And the most important question – What kind of yield did they receive? You see, although farmers can’t control the weather conditions, they do want to make the best choices for those things they can control. So, year after year, they continue to ask those same questions and do research to try to make the best of a very tough career.

You and I have a very tough assignment. We are to live in this world, but not be of it. We are to make disciples – not just church members – but full grown, mature disciples. So as you make your way through year after year, what tactics are you taking to improve your harvest for His kingdom? Have you found a more effective way to sow the seed? What about the preparation of the ground? What have you found that produces deeper roots and stronger Christians? Do you see an improvement in the harvest you are helping with?

James 2:18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

Faith is believing in what is unseen – but a byproduct of true faith is action- deeds. This doesn’t mean seeing how many “jobs” you can sign up for in the church. It means putting feet on your faith so that it is not merely words, but a way of life! Hmm. Sounds like another passage:

Romans 12:1-2 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Answered Prayer by Donna (Ensign) Woods

I want to celebrate answered prayer with you.
Once again, God's awesome love comes shining through !!
So very thankful He heard our heartfelt plea.
And for allowing us, His great mercy to see.
We sing praises of joy, with glorious song.
Our hearts dance in celebration all day long.
Fervent prayer avails so very much...
It empowers the Master's wondrous touch.
It's so awesome, to hear Him say "Yes"
I always stand in amazement, I must confess.
There's joyful excitement, when He wipes away pain.
Faith is energized, and prayerful we shall remain.
Even if God's answer had been,"No"...
Or if His answer had been agonizing and slow...
Whatever His plan reveals, we can rest assured,
That His grace accompanies all that is to be endured.
Answers to prayer....great and small...
Our Father in Heaven sends them all !!!

Is Your Prayer Life Unplugged? by Theresa Zuber

I went to my bookshelf because I knew that I had a book about “prayer killers” (Sins that put a ceiling on our prayers.) Well – not only did I find “Partners in Prayer” the book I was looking for, I found “The Power of a Praying Wife,” “The Power of a Praying Parent,” “Lord, Teach me to Pray in 28 Days,” “Prayer”, & “The Prayer of Jabez.” Do you sense a theme here???

I know that I’m not the only one struggling with prayer. (Why would there be so many books about it?) I know that many people struggle with consistency in their prayer life, what to pray, how to pray, faith in prayer and the list goes on and on. I guess part of my problem is that I sometimes feel powerless in my prayers. I am willing to pray and do. If it is something that I feel is within God’s will, I have faith. But if it’s something I’m unsure about - I just feel like “if God’s will is what is best, and He is in control, then who am I to try to sway Him? And why would He change His mind for ME?” (I probably seem like the little child who says, “I know you’re not going to let me, but can I go swimming today, please?”)

On Max Lucado’s Worship CD “Opening Windows” he tells a story of buying desks with his wife and small daughters. His youngest daughter didn’t understand that they would not take the desk home that day. He tells how his daughter went about changing his mind. She didn’t nag him or whine until he gave in; she earnestly showed him, how much it would mean to her. The clencher came when she reentered the store with her arms spread open wide and said, “Daddy, I measured. It will fit in the trunk.” He goes on to say that her having the desk was within her father’s will. It was just going to be in a few weeks instead of that day. So, when he could see how much it meant to her, the Lucado family took home a desk that day. God loves us like that. God wants us to be happy. And sometimes, God moves as a direct result of our prayers to Him.

The book I mentioned earlier “Partners in Prayer” by John Maxwell mentions 10 Common Prayer Killers and the associated scriptures. As you read through them, see what areas YOU may struggle in. But don’t just acknowledge where your problem areas are – Do something about it!! And when you see me – ask if I am, too!

Prayer Killer #1: Unconfessed Sin
Psalm 66:18 “If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, my Lord would not have listened.” (NLT)

Prayer Killer #2: Lack of Faith
Matthew 21:22 “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (NLT)

Prayer Killer #3: Disobedience
1 John 3:21 “Dear friends, if our conscience is clear, we can come to God with bold confidence. 22And we will receive whatever we request because we obey him and do the things that please him. 23And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us.” (NLT)

Prayer Killer #4: Lack of Transparency with God and Others
James 5:16 “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” (NLT)

Prayer Killer #5: Unforgiveness
Matthew 6:14"If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (NLT)

Prayer Killer #6: Wrong Motives
James 4:3 “And even when you do ask, you don't get it because your whole motive is wrong--you want only what will give you pleasure.” (NLT)

Prayer Killer #7: Idols in our Lives
(The author points out that idols come in many forms: money, careers, sports, pleasure. It’s an issue of what is more important – or gets more attention - than God.)Ezekiel 14:3"”Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that lead them into sin. Why should I let them ask me anything?” (NLT)

Prayer Killer #8: Disregard for Others
John 13:34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (NIV) 1 Peter 3 exhorts husbands and wives to be considerate to one another “so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” (NIV)

Prayer Killer #9: Disregard for God’s Sovereignty
Matthew 6:9"This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (NIV)

Prayer Killer #10: Unsurrendered Will
John 15:7 “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” (NIV)

God I am ashamed at my lack of faith in your promises to answer my prayers. I know that my lack of faith takes the power out of my prayers, just like unplugging the TV. Help me to comprehend that I am THAT important to you; important enough that you would not only listen to me, but that you WILL REACT to the cries of my heart. Help me. Just like an alcoholic going back to the bottle, I keep coming back to this same problem: Ineffective prayer, Hopeless prayer, Helpless prayer, Surface prayer. Change me. I am looking with great anticipation for what you’ll do in my life next!

May you know God more this New Year by Julie Short

A New Year. Ugh, another year to struggle and hurt. Another year without Kyra.

I don’t make New Years resolutions. I just try to be farther along my walk with God than I was the year before. Last New Years it was close. I struggled the whole year and then at the end of the year I took a leap. This year I feel like I journeyed far until around October and then I sat down and cried.

As this New Year approached I felt led to read Ephesians again. I read the first two chapters. This time as I read I saw something that I hadn’t really grasped before. Paul wrote such beautiful, passionate, encouraging words to others. He wanted them to know God more. Paul was in prison. I don’t know about you but if I were in prison I would be writing asking people to pray for me. But instead Paul said, “Wow! You are growing in your faith. Keep growing in the Lord. In fact, I am praying for you that you may know God more.”

There comes a time in grief where you need to re-invest in life. No one can tell another person when that time has come. But, hopefully we will listen to God and hear Him calling us on. My hope for this year is that I will spend more time praying for you to know God more, than I do praying for myself.

What a way to start a new year. Paul is a perfect example, as he sat in prison he prayed that others would know God more. What is your prayer for the New Year?

Read Ephesians 1:1-23 (Below are verses 11-19)
11In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe.