November 21st, 2023
by John Kelley
by John Kelley
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:16-18
Being thankful is so important for the Christian life, but what is the result of thankfulness? What happens when thankfulness put on flesh and bones, and it becomes tangible? What happens when our thanksgiving grows legs and walks?
God doesn’t bless you for nothing. There’s an expectation there. In the book of James, James writes,
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
James 2:14–17
When it comes to true thanksgiving, there’s an outpouring. There’s a response that should come naturally to a follower of Christ. It’s the thought that, “Because of the goodness of God, I want to be good to others.”
This is why we see so many food drives, clothing closets, and soup kitchens that are there to help fill the needs of those with less. It’s why most hospitals in America have the name of a saint, or say “baptist” on them. It’s why missionaries give up everything to go overseas and bring the good news of Jesus to people who have never heard of him. It’s also why practicing Christians are more than twice as likely to adopt as the general population. When we “taste and see that the Lord is good” we have no other choice than to let others experience that as well.
The late Billy Graham said, “The highest form of worship is the worship of unselfish Christian service. The greatest form of praise is the sound of consecrated feet seeking out the lost and helpless.”
This Thanksgiving, let’s put legs on our gratitude and seek out ways that we can serve. Maybe you know of people in the church who aren’t doing well; maybe they lost a job, or they’re dealing with crippling medical bills. Reach out with an anonymous gift. Do you know of any local ministries that are serving the least of these? Volunteer. Do you have a coworker who is constantly living with depression? Share Christ with them, and give them the opportunity to experience joy at it greatest.
Read James 2:14-26. Why are our works so important? What should be our motivation in what we do?
Take some time right now and pray for God to guide you to where you can serve and share Him with others, then take the time to listen. Where does He want you to serve?
1 John 3:16-18
Being thankful is so important for the Christian life, but what is the result of thankfulness? What happens when thankfulness put on flesh and bones, and it becomes tangible? What happens when our thanksgiving grows legs and walks?
God doesn’t bless you for nothing. There’s an expectation there. In the book of James, James writes,
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
James 2:14–17
When it comes to true thanksgiving, there’s an outpouring. There’s a response that should come naturally to a follower of Christ. It’s the thought that, “Because of the goodness of God, I want to be good to others.”
This is why we see so many food drives, clothing closets, and soup kitchens that are there to help fill the needs of those with less. It’s why most hospitals in America have the name of a saint, or say “baptist” on them. It’s why missionaries give up everything to go overseas and bring the good news of Jesus to people who have never heard of him. It’s also why practicing Christians are more than twice as likely to adopt as the general population. When we “taste and see that the Lord is good” we have no other choice than to let others experience that as well.
The late Billy Graham said, “The highest form of worship is the worship of unselfish Christian service. The greatest form of praise is the sound of consecrated feet seeking out the lost and helpless.”
This Thanksgiving, let’s put legs on our gratitude and seek out ways that we can serve. Maybe you know of people in the church who aren’t doing well; maybe they lost a job, or they’re dealing with crippling medical bills. Reach out with an anonymous gift. Do you know of any local ministries that are serving the least of these? Volunteer. Do you have a coworker who is constantly living with depression? Share Christ with them, and give them the opportunity to experience joy at it greatest.
Read James 2:14-26. Why are our works so important? What should be our motivation in what we do?
Take some time right now and pray for God to guide you to where you can serve and share Him with others, then take the time to listen. Where does He want you to serve?
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