Care for the Widows and Children

Faith in Action

Self-controlled, Upright and Godly Faith

A Disciplined Faith

James 1:22-27 The Message

22-24 Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.
25 But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.
26-27 Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.

For Reflection

Your religion is defined by what you say, but your faith is determined by what you do.  You say that you follow all the rules, yet you turn away from those that do not measure up.  You say you are blessed, yet you do not take the time to be a blessing to others. You say that you are humble, and yet you thank God that you are not like one of "THEM."

You say you are full of grace, and yet the secular world contaminates you. Look into your mirror with the eyes of Christ and become the person who Christ sees.

Pray

Look into your soul and fill it with the compassionate love for all of humankind.  Displace the notions of self with the convictions of the Holy Spirit.