Barbara Ann Repan

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Living Life with Genuine Faith

May 5, 2016 by Barbara

James Mercy Triumphs Bible study

 

Hypocrites beware. James gets in our face with the Truth. O, how I love this book of the Bible. And O, how I want to avoid it all together.

James wrote this letter to expose hypocritical practices and teach the Christian way of living. He teaches believers to live a genuine faith with action and not just say they are a believer.

The evidence of genuine faith is a transformed life.

I received a call recently from Amanda with Compassion International. Compassion International is a child-advocacy ministry that pairs compassionate people with those who are suffering from poverty. The ministry releases children from spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty. The goal is for each child to become a responsible and fulfilled adult.

John and I have sponsored a child for several years. I love my sweet girl. We write letters and pray for each other. I send her pictures of my Cocker Spaniel. She has a dog too. Receiving a letter from Noemi is the highlight of that day, week, month for me.

Amanda shared with me a little about the ministry and her experiences traveling to the Compassion Centers in other countries. I mentioned I recently received the email about another Sponsor trip scheduled to Bolivia, where my girl lives. I told Amanda I would love to go to meet my girl. I have fears of going though. Plus the expense. Amanda offered to pray for me about this huge adventure.

After we ended the call I went back to my study of James about genuine faith, action faith and loving others.
Can I be honest? My faith is being challenged concerning this trip opportunity. And James isn’t helping! 🙂 I don’t want to miss God by not going if that is His will. Nor do I want  fear of traveling to a foreign country to prevent me from a blessing. I would be with others from Compassion. “What if’s” run through my head.  I know God will guide me in this. Maybe He would rather I give the money it would cost to go to help many children than to go visit one child. I don’t know yet. If not this year, maybe  another year. Amanda is praying for me along with others. My desire is to be obedient and I know sometimes that means stepping out of my comfort zone.

As I have studied James, I realize more that faith is genuine when doing what the Bible says to do.

It’s more than a statement of “I believe”. Even the devil believes.

As much as I love words, I hate to say this; spoken words can be empty and meaningless. Think about it. It’s easy to say the right thing but not mean it. It’s easy to say I believe in God but not live as if I do.

James is a challenging book of the Bible. He says things I don’t like to hear. I don’t want to “consider my troubles as an opportunity for great joy.” James 1: 2. I’d rather complain about my troubles. It’s hard to be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger” James 1: 19 I talk too much sometimes and don’t listen enough. James teaches about taming our tongue. This means thinking before I say anything and controlling my desire to say what I shouldn’t.

Yes, James is convicting. But if I want to truly follow the Lord, I must work on these areas and many more. We will fail. God looks at our heart, our motive. Pray continually about the areas we struggle in. Ask forgiveness when we mess up. God knows our heart.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, James is a challenging book to read and study. I pray you will help us to live out our faith as you have taught in your Word. When you are truly our Lord and Savior it is reflected in our words, actions, love of others. I want this to be true in my life and I know others do also. Help us, forgive us and thank you for loving us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Filed Under: Purpose Tagged With: believing, Beth Moore, Bible study, Compassion International, James, taming the tongue, transformed life

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Comments

  1. Lisa Frisch says

    May 5, 2016 at 9:18 pm

    Thanks for writing this. I have no doubt that we are all in this study of James for very specific reasons at this time. A potential trip to Bolivia is certainly exciting and scary! Dave and I sponsor a little girl in Haiti who writes “When will you come to Haiti?” in her letters. Oh my! That just might happen some day…of course, we would want to go while she’s still a child!

    • Barbara says

      May 6, 2016 at 8:11 am

      I hope and pray you will have the opportunity to visit your girl also. I think it will be an amazing experience and such a blessing for both. Thank you for stopping by here. I love hearing from you.

  2. Kelly Blackwell says

    May 7, 2016 at 3:08 pm

    I’m praying that the Lord will clearly direct you. Praying you will continue to live out your faith as HE leads!

    • Barbara says

      May 9, 2016 at 8:48 am

      Hi Kelly, I appreciate your prayers very much. Thank you for stopping by. 🙂

  3. Carol Ann says

    May 10, 2016 at 12:35 am

    Oh Barbara! I study James the year I surrender my heart to the Lord…& was Born Again! I loved James because he tells it like it is! I craved the word and this opened my heart so much! You are on the right track and seeing Noemi would be such a blessing! I will be praying with you…Let go and let God do His will! You are going to get your socks blessed right off! I love you and I do miss you my friend!
    Love & Hugs!
    Carol Ann

    • Barbara says

      May 11, 2016 at 10:41 am

      How happy I am to hear part of your testimony! Thank you so much for sharing. I love and miss you to my dear Friend. xoxo

  4. Carmen Horne says

    May 11, 2016 at 9:37 pm

    Oh Barbara, I so understand this dilemma. I just like to stay comfy. I love that Bible study, by the way 🙂 I will pray for you to have wisdom about your trip. Following where Christ leads can be down right scary sometimes. But, always worth it. Blessings!

    • Barbara says

      May 12, 2016 at 10:49 pm

      Yes, comfy in my own little world. 🙂 Thank you so much for your prayers for me. I appreciate you so much. Blessings to you friend.

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Hi Friend, Welcome to my corner of the online world, where I write to encourage and give hope. I believe everyone could use a dose of hope from time to time so whether you need hope for your marriage, your closet, or anything in between, I hope you find some encouragement here.

Having been through some hard situations, I understand what it's like to live hopeless, depressed, angry, and bitter until God rescued me in His Love and Grace. In Him, I found an Anchor to keep me safe and secure. My passion is to share how He has rescued me and give others encouragement, as He has for me.

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