James 2:14, 18 – What does it profit, my brethren if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?  But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.”  Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Beloved, A letter was recently sent to me by an anonymous person who read our Life Empowering Word dated August 6, 2013.  This letter is very personal and powerful in its content.  Since it was sent anonymously I feel it is alright to share this very anointed and honest letter.  The letter was titled, “Works Are Important”.  Below is the letter as it was sent:

Rev. Clark,

I have been struggling in my personal life to take action in areas which I know require me to do my part. Your Life Empowering Word from August 6, 2013 taught me that we need to have Faith, Action, Passion and a Fighter’s Mentality. But most of all: we must be willing to change! Even though I know what is required, I still have been struggling. God has shown me that although works don’t give you salvation, they don’t get you to heaven, and they don’t change His love or His grace; works are important in living a victorious life. I thought if I shared my struggle, maybe someone else can benefit from what God has shown me. It’s hard to be transparent and let the world see me at my weakest – but I am willing to share an entry out of my personal journal and pray that God will speak through my experience.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Last week was a waste.  I never once cracked my Bible.  I stayed in bed every day, usually until after 9:00am, sometimes as late as 10:00am.  When I got up, I turned on TV and watched it solid all day until time to go back to bed.  For many hours each day, while I was watching TV, I was also at the computer playing games.  My fingers never once touched the keyboard (even though I know God has told me to learn the piano).  I never once typed an entry in my journal.  I only looked for a job 2 out of the 7 days.  I beat myself up and get depressed and condemn myself, but don’t seem to ever change.  Look how hard it has been for me to write in my journal.  Look how difficult it has been to be disciplined to practice the piano.  I then think:  What good am I?  How can God use me?  But then I realize His love and His grace are not based on my works.  He loves me just as much if I never, ever touch a keyboard for the rest of my life.  But my works for sure affect my relationship with God.  I know this because the Bible says that faith without works is dead.  So, if I am not doing the work that I know to do (practice the piano, journal each day, read the Word, pray, etc.) then my faith is dead.  Well, dead faith is essentially NO FAITH, and the Bible also states that without faith it is impossible to please God.  So, even though He loves me, even though He shows grace towards me, I am not pleasing Him.  Therefore works are very important.  I have got to get that into my spirit.  I have got to have a passion to walk out the Christian life God has called me to and not be afraid, not doubt, not think it is too difficult.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!  I need to set my mind to it and stick with it, in other words, have passion.  Even when I don’t feel like it, even when I don’t see that it is doing any good, even when I would rather be doing something else.  I choose this day to serve the Lord.  That’s why I decided to begin my day with this journal.  Then I will read the Word and let the Holy Spirit speak to me; to allow Him to bring revelation and ignite my spirit to take action and work out my salvation.  The Bible has much to say about our work being rewarded.  Here are just a few verses:

• Ruth 2:12 – The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
• 2 Chronicles 15:7 – Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.
• Matthew 16:27 – For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
• 1 Corinthians 3:8 – Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.
• Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 God will always give grace, in sufficient supply.  But I also want the reward; those extras that God gives because of our faithfulness to Him.  I want those additional blessings that He gives because we have followed His statutes and commandments.  Following His statutes and commandments are not just in spiritual things, but in my every day life at work, at home, in relationships, and internally being honest with myself.  Thank you God, that you are a rewarder to us that seek you.

Beloved, I pray this person’s letter blesses you, encourages you, and fills you with a desire to take action in your life, free from guilt or condemnation.  If you have become inactive or complacent, Perhaps you might pray:

“Lord I thank You that Your grace and love are always with me and I am never without them.  However, Lord help me to not take them for granted and to arise from this state of complacency or inaction.  Fill me with Your passion, desire, and strength.  Holy Spirit nudge me and lead me to  continuously step out on faith in every area of my life.  Thank you Lord for declaring in Your word that I am to ‘go and bear fruit’ in every area of my life for Your glory, that others will see Your fulness in my life and receive hope, strength, and joy.  Amen!”