DO WHAT YOU CAN

Do you ever feel overwhelmed with what you want to do or what you feel like you need to do?  If you're like me, you see needs all around you and often feel overwhelmed that you can't do it all.  It's impossible to do it all, of course, but sometimes we get too bogged down in our to-do lists that we fail to see the needs of those around us.

It makes me think of the story of the little boy who was throwing the starfish from the beach back into the ocean. An older man came along and said, "What are you doing? You're wasting your time! You can't help all of these starfish. You can't make a difference."  The little boy said as he threw another starfish back into the ocean, "I made a difference to that one."

You see, we can't help everyone.  The need is too great. But we can help one.  So today, "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."  We may not can make a difference to everyone, but we can make a difference to just one.  You're where you are for a reason.  Allow God to guide you and do His Will to help someone else today.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Which One Are You?

Today I was going to Sam's Club. I happened to get behind someone who was actually "parking" in the walkway area so that their party could unload the basket in the trunk. I got too close to be able to move and someone was behind me, so I was stuck. The Salvation Army bell ringer even went to help the young man unload his basket into the trunk to hurry things along. I was amazed at the lack of respect from the driver of the car and the young man. Now maybe the driver was handicapped or something. That could be so. But the young (teen or young 20 year old) was in adequate shape to walk a short distance to the parking lot had the driver chosen to park in a real spot. Years ago this would have aggravated me! Today it just made me kind of sad.

On the way out of Sam's Club, when I was driving off, an older lady was parked in a handicapped spot and trying to unload her basket. A young couple (early 20's) stopped to help her unload her basket, put it in her car, and took her basket for her. This one made me smile.

Now for a few questions concerning both of the stories above:
Which one of these stories is closer to how you are?
Are you aware of the fact that people watch you and watch your reactions/actions - and assumptions are made (whether right or wrong) depending on those reactions/actions? Do you care?

Some of the best ways we can show Jesus living within us is in the small, everyday things of life. Our walk must match our talk for His light to shine in our lives.

 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. 

Titus 2:7-9

Do You Know This Guy? Justin Case

Maybe you've met him.  Maybe he's your friend, too.  Meet my friend......or my partner in sin......or my partner in good deeds:  Justin Case.  Sometimes he helps me with my excuses and as a way to validate my fears, but sometimes he helps me do good and helps me to serve others in need.  It depends on my thoughts and my motives.

Here are some examples of Justin Case partnering with me in sin:

Yes, I see that "Mary" is hurting and lonely, but I'm not the person who should go see about her....Just-in-Case I say the wrong thing, and make matters worse.

I would help with the benefit fundraiser for the family who lost everything in a fire, but I need to keep this extra money I have Just-in-Case I have a fire or something catastrophic happen in my life.

They called and ask me to teach Bible class tomorrow, but I told them no.  I better stay home Just-in-Case I don't feel well.  I never know what is going to happen and don't want to commit to anything.

I know that idea is unethical and wrong, but if I say anything, I made get made fun of.....and I certainly don't want that.  I don't like persecution, so I'll just keep quiet....Just-in-Case.

Now, here are some examples of Justin Case helping me do good:

"Susie" just got home from the hospital. I'm going to call her "Just-in-Case" she needs someone to help her with something.

I'll make a cake and have it ready and in the freezer "Just-in-Case" there is a need for more food to take to the new family in town.

I called to volunteer to help teach Bible class Sunday, "Just-in-Case" someone is going to be gone and they can't find a substitute.

My donation to the church for VBS can be used to help teach children about Jesus.  I'll give it now Just-in-Case we are low in funds in that particular area of our budget.

You see?  Justin Case can be a good guy or a bad guy....depending on how I depend on him.  It all depends on my motives in letting him be my friend.  He is standing there ready with an excuse if I need it, or ready to help me find ways to help and serve others.

Justin Case:  Is he your partner in sin or your helper in service and good deeds?

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?In t he same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

   Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

  You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?  You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”and he was called God’s friend.  You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

James 2:14-24

Faith and Deeds

I recently came across this quote:

"Your faith isn't determined by what you do;

It's demonstrated by what you do." (author unknown)

I really like that a lot, do you?

Read this passage from James 2:14 - 26:

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."

Why do you do what you do? What are the motives behind your deeds? As Christians, we should want to do good deeds, not out of duty, obligation or guilt, but out of love for our Heavenly Father. Our good deeds don't take us higher up the ladder to Heaven. It doesn't work like that. The Bible does not teach that at all. Rather, we should do what we do because we want to show our love for Him. We should also remember that He will be glorified by our deeds and others will see Jesus living in us (Matthew 5:16).

How are you planning to serve God this week? What good deed(s) can you do today that will allow others to see Jesus living in you? Deeds can be small. Deeds can be big. The point is that in our good deeds, you and I are helping others and serving others, and God will be glorified because of it!

Have a great day!