Faith & Works...Works & Faith

18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. (1 John 3)

14What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 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? 17So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
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20Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"—and he was called a friend of God....26For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. (James 2)

So, this concept of faith + works really hit me about a month ago...been processing through it all since then, and realized how directly/specifically I've gotten to walk this out in several different areas of my life. Just prayed and believed that God would do something - He did - but the work wasn't done! (Somethin' about working through us, strengthening us with HIS power, glorifying Himself in all of it...=) a glorious, recurring process.)

*Exhibit A: School - I wanted to get into Life University. Had some friends & family praying specifically about it, and declaring in faith with me, too - so I really wasn't the only one that wanted to get in. ;) I applied and got accepted! Now, a different sort of work begins. :) Believing for *continued* favor as transferred credits, finances and overall vision for the next few years are worked out. =) thank you, Jesus. (oh, plus the actual classes...hahaha, that might involve some work, too.) =]

*Exhibit B: Car - I wanted a "new" ;) car that I could pay for all at once & move on with my life. The ENTIRE car journey (death of Gadget, birth of R.u.b.y., haha) was such a clear picture for me of God's provision & perfect timing...still amazed! (I should not have had the funds for such a nice vehicle.) But, the Lord regularly reminded me of the word He gave me last fall when I was driving to school one morning, and my plastic window was flapping in the wind (haha! poor car):

"For I, the LORD, love justice;
I hate robbery and iniquity.
In my faithfulness I will reward them
and make an everlasting covenant with them." (Isaiah 61:8)

No, a silly car is not an everlasting covenant, BUT He IS just and knows my needs better than I do. Never, ever had any reason to worry or be anxious. But, I also had to get up early and go car hunting with dad a couple mornings before we found Ruby. Saw some duds, drove further than we had to, but God knew my budget and time frame (bound to happen when He holds the UNIVERSE in His hands). Then I had to get insurance, typical car needs (gas, oil change), and today I finallyyy went to get the title switched to my name. (woot!) Plus, I have such sweet, encouraging friends! :) Whether they lifted a prayer or e-mailed me a Craig's List possibility - God is faithful to work through His saints.

*Exhibit C: Quiet Time (just realized, I'm not listing these in any order of importance, because if I were, this would be first!) - Key for me: the "snooze" button is a trap! Resist in Jesus' Name! By getting back to early morning quiet times & a consistent prayer routine - life is getting sweeter and sweeter as I draw near to Him! It's like a massive dot-to-dot every week. (You know, those pictures in coloring books where you had to draw lines to complete the picture - LOVED those! Well, still do. praise God. =) ANYway, when I'm spending time with Him every day, I'm able to see how He'll take something that stuck out to me on Sunday morning, and keep unfolding/expounding on it each day. (He is SO AWESOME!) haha, it's usually Thursday or Friday that Jayme and I can finally hash out & share the crazy wonderful (and sometimes painful!) Truth that God has been unlocking for us all week.

*Exhibit D: Relationships - God brings so many people into our lives...what are we going to do with these blessings?! It's these precious people that are the ones who stand in agreement with me (or rebuke me! woohoo!)...they're the ones that I get to walk with as we try to grasp how wide/high/deep/long His Love is for us! Without all of the prayers & support I receive on a daily basis, I know that exhibits A, B, and C would not be feasible. There would be no one to decree/agree with, hold me accountable - my growth would be so stunted. I've got to be faithful to return the blessing by staying in touch, praying consistently, speaking their love language...I'm so done with taking people for granted.

I think it's the fruit of seeing my prayers answered (would that be like my faith being fulfilled??) that is meant to motivate & encourage perseverance (in order to be mature and complete - not lacking anything!). I've also been discussing Revelation with several friends recently, and these particular verses continue coming up:

"'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you." (Revelation 3)

I believe it also ties in with choosing to be hot or cold, not lukewarm - if you're going to start the work but not finish it, then don't even start. (But I also know that there's grace, and God cares most about our heart's motives...can't be headstrong about "strengthening what remains," but humbly diligent.) I know that's where I'm prone to fall short, is completing the final step of whatever project/situation/etc I'm working on...paha, it could be something as simple as reading the last 2 chapters of a book! (sad, really) 'I've gotten the gist of it, isn't that enough?' Actually, no - stop being lazy and finish the flipping book. =)
Plus, it's not even my own strength anyway, it's HIS!

12So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2)

There's no getting escaping it ~ from Him and through Him and to Him are all things! Praise the Lord. Friends, I pray that you get the courage to ask God to take you deeper, bring you closer...all to lift Jesus higher. :) He is worth your everything! May you have a break through in your everyday routines and just spend time in His Presence - abide in His Love!

*exhale*
(this was especially long...not sure if I should say "haha, sorry!" or "you're welcome." =] your choice.)

I love you all.
grace & peace!