Keeping the Balance

Dear Friends in Christ,

I hope and pray that everyone has had a great start to this week. Each week is a new opportunity to do the right thing before God. Each day is a new page that we can fill with "right living", for that matter. Today marks the fifth anniversary of 9-11. We remember where we were and what we were doing. Let us never forget the tragedy and the memory of those who courageously lost their lives. Let us remember in prayer the many families that were so deeply impacted. And in all of this, let us never forget God's grace with us that gives us hope to live one day at a time.

Yesterday the message was about keeping a good balance between faith and works.

There was a popular phrase a few years ago that went something like this, "Don't just talk the talk, walk the walk." I would like to add a slight variation, "Don't just talk the talk, walk the talk." It's amazing the way the Holy Spirit inspired James to give such an exhortation, particularly with the example he used in illustrating this "balanced faith" - making a distinction between people based on their "material" value. We say we have faith, but how do we take time to do good to others, regardless of who they are?

No sooner had we finished the service yesterday morning when I was approached by someone, a "stranger" who apparently had been "out on the streets" for a few days and in need of some food. I had just preached the sermon...was I ready and willing to live the sermon? With the help of other brothers and sisters, we were able to bless this person with some help.

St. Francis of Assisi once told his young student preachers, "Go and preach the word, and if necessary, use words." Are we ready and willing to live the sermons? To live the word? May God give us His grace to live our faith.

Prayer: Lord, we give you thanks for the faithfulness of your word, for it speaks the truth in love. Forgive us for the times we have not lived our faith, and help us this day to not only be hearers, but doers of your word. Give us courage and strength to "walk the talk." In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

Pastor David