When my youngest daughter was a child she had a habit of misplacing things. Often times, she
would frantically look for something, then inevitably, come to me to enlist my assistance in
locating the item. I almost always found it in less than five minutes and then I would say, “If it
was a snake it would have bit ya!”
How often are we missing what is right in front of us in our hurried lives? We are so busy
running to the next thing, seeking out an experience, and possibly a thrill of some kind instead
of God Himself. We should not be on a quest to see what great wonders we can witness but
stand in awe and wonder of the Creator of the Universe Himself, our Heavenly Father in all His
majesty and splendor. When we seek Him and live in reverence to Him, our lives will then
become the true and proper worship to Him that He desires.
We worship Him by living in a continual posture of submission, humility and praise. While we
are running to seek some grand experience, we are missing the work God wants to do in and
through us. He does not want us to be spectators, although, He does not need us to accomplish
any of His great work. He does, however, invite us to actively participate in His plans and
purposes in the earth. He desires for His children to put our faith in action, to put feet to what
we believe. What we believe does not have any power if we are not walking in it.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can
such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of
you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their 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 my deeds. You believe that
there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. James 2:14-19
In our love and worship of our glorious Lord, we should be compelled to live as those who love
in action. Let us ask God to show us opportunities to serve. There are needs all around us. We
must choose to see them and meet them as the Holy Spirit guides us.
Many of us have gotten too comfortable in our knowledge of the Word of God. It is great to
know the Word, to memorize scripture so that we can speak it over ourselves and our loved
ones. However, let us never forget that the enemy of our souls also knows the Word. He
quoted scripture to Jesus when our Savior was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the
temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:”He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ [ ”
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”
Matthew 4:5-7
We have an enemy who is well-versed in scripture. Let us not be deceived. We must continue
to read the word, study it, memorize it and get it deeply embedded in our hearts. Yet, we must
also pray and fast as Jesus did so that we may be Spirit led people of God. We do not need to go
anywhere to look for an experience when we abide in the presence of God. We can experience
His goodness every day of our lives. We must get away from the busyness of life, sit still,
remove all distractions and soak in the splendor and majesty of the Creator of the Universe, our
Father in heaven. He desires that we dwell in Him. Then, we can move by His Spirit and do the
works He has for us, for apart from Him, we can do nothing.
Heavenly Father, you are amazing! You are awesome in Power! You are so worthy to be
praised! Thank you for your steadfast love and faithfulness. Thank you for allowing us to be a
part of what you are doing in the earth. Thank you for your goodness and mercy that follow us
all the days of our lives. Help us to be still in your presence, to remember that in all the
busyness of life, abiding in you is the most important thing we can do. Help us to become
rooted and established in the love of Christ. Help us to live a life of worship and adoration unto
you. This life and all its distractions are fleeting, temporary, perishable. Yet, our relationship
with you is eternal. Keep us in step with your Spirit, walking by faith, loving others well because
we have been filled to the measure of all the fullness of you, our Mighty God! Help us to reflect
all of your goodness, love, and mercy to everyone we meet. May we represent you well as
beacons of light and hope in a world that desperately needs it. We give you all the honor and
the Glory! In Jesus’ Mighty, Matchless Name, Amen and Amen!
