Faith needs deeds

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Deuteronomy 15:11     Poor persons will never disappear from the earth.  That’s why I’m giving you this command: yu must open your hand generously to your fellow  Israelites, to the needy among you, and to the poor who live with you in your land.

Proverbs 3:27     Don’t withhold good from someone who deserves it, when it is in your power to do so.

Proverbs 19:17     Those who are gracious to the poor lend to the Lord, and the Lord will fully repay them.

Matthew 5:42     Give to those who ask, and don’t refuse those who wish to borrow from you.

Matthew 25:44-45     Then they will reply, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?”   then he will answer, “I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me.”

John 15:12     This is my Commandment, love each other just as I have loved you.

Romans 12:13     Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home.

Philippians 2:4     Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.

Galatians 6:2     Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ

Hebrews 6:10     God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them

Hebrews 13:16     Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have because God is pleased with these kinds of sacrifices

James 2:14       What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can according to the image of Him who created him, faith save him?…faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

1 John 3:17     But if someone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but rrefuses to help–how can the love of God dwell in a person like that?

 

There are so many ways we can be a doer to and for others. It may be as simple as listening to a hurting heart, or actually caring for someone who is physically ill and in pain. It is a gift for you to just smile as you go about your day to anyone you pass—a nod and smile just indicates pleasantness, and can uplift the person who received it. You can say a prayer of thanks for the person who let you out in heavy traffic, for the person who holds the door for you, and to pray for persons you know are going through a bad time so they are able to go through the difficulty with more patience, and the strength of knowing that God will help them through, and so on.

As I don’t know a lot of our church attendees, I don’t always know what is going on with different members of the church family, so even though I may not know the person, I can still pray for the situation.  I don’t need to know the full circumstances, it is enough for me to sincerely pray for whatever the need might be–and trust God will do what is necessary to resolve the issue.  Sometimes, I can get bogged down in details that I don’t need to know or carry.   but besides praying for others, we can help with a school or library especially with a student who may be having reading or math problems.  Volunteers are always needed to help with sports programs–baseball, soccer, field hockey and so forth.  Children need to have stable, caring adults in their lives who take a moment to hand out praise and encouragement.  I still remember every teacher I had through all of sixth grade because they were wonderful at praising, recognizing hard work, and encouraging to continue.  That always is helpful to children

You may be in a position to watch a neighbor’s children until the parent can get home from work, rather than the child being just another latch-key kid, coming in to an empty home.   Can you do some errands for someone–deposit money to a bank account, pick up mail or groceries or medications.  Bring a plant or flowers over to jst cheer someone; how about doing a bit of housework for someone under the weather, spending a few minutes just to sit and visit, getting involved with the Meal Train for someone in the area who is too ill to cook and still has a family that needs to eat.  You may notice a lawn in the neighborhood is being neglected–run and mow it, weed a garden, and reach out and see what else there might be a need for. 

There are numerous ways to help.   Donate food or clothing; work at a flea market which is set up to raise funds for a humane shelter, an abuse protection facility or something.  Go to a jail and spend time telling the inmates about God, volunteer at your church, volunteer to babysit so a couple can go out for “them” time, organize an neighborhood or church clean up–there are numerous ways to reach out and do “faith deeds and work.”

We can help if we know a neighbor is hurting or ill–take food, just sit and visit, spend time with them, do errands–groceries, pick up medications, take out so they can complete errands and chores they need to do.  Mow the lawn or do some other household chore that might be needed–clean and dust, vac, open windows and let in fresh air, bring a meal or meals, already pre-cut into one serving size containers so they can pull out a couple of choices and easily be able to heat and then eat.

Yes, there are so many practical ways we can help others. Feed them, serve in a shelter, teach others when you have knowledge they don’t yet have, bring flowers or something that will be significant, not expensive, as the simplest heartfelt touches can have more value than expense many times. It’s a giving of ourselves for others, praying, teaching, serving, caretaking, smiling, singing, loving. Bottom line it is all about loving others. And isn’t that what He said was the finest commandment, beyond loving Him, honoring Him, and honoring the Sabbath; to love others?

Love and blessings from me and “mybellaviews.”