Be Ye Separate

Our Sabbath Morning:)

Blessings Brothers and Sisters! Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

   I have taken to my bed today and so I will be writing a few times today to while away some time:) Now and then my spells cause me to be bedbound. I am able to do little things like mending, sewing, reading, etc. My family often comes up and we have snacks together and such.

   Our Sarah stayed home with me today since she is also not well while the rest have gone to fellowship this morning. I do miss the fellowship very much when I am not able to go but I am so glad that they were able:)

   Miss Sarah and I have spent the morning studying Titus together:) Most of us already know about Titus 2 and many strive to live it so I won't repeat anything there:) What struck Miss Sarah and I was Titus 3. It was very timely for us as we often are challenged by folks about certain aspects of our lifestyle. One of which is "works".

   Now we know that works is NOT how one gets to heaven. We know that the ONLY way to the Father is through Jesus Christ. But we also know, through scripture that "faith without works is dead".

   We also know that farming living plain isn't exactly the "works" the bibles was speaking of, yet in a way it IS exactly what it's speaking of.

   There are many ways of showing our faith through our works. The works that most folks think of is doing good things for other people in the name of our Lord and Saviour. Bringing glory to God through all that we do so others will know Him through us.

   Yes there is charitable works. i.e. working at a mission to feed and clothe the homeless and downtrodden, going on missions, helping to send others on mission, being a visible church. But it's also how we live our lives. Working to feed our family, working to train up our children, working to keep our homes. These too are important "works" that others will see.

   I have had on many occasions, folks dropping by our place to say that they can just see that God is a very important part of our lives. Even folks that aren't believers have come by just to pass the time. They too have made comments about how our faith is obvious in our lives by the way we rely on God to provide rather than relying on the sales catalogues and flyers to find those great deals so we can have more for less. We are constantly shown through His grace and mercy that we are good and faithful servants.

   Oh we stumble from time to time. We are, after all, human. Our sinful nature overwhelms at times and we need admonishing, correction and direction. Thankfully we aren't all slipping at the same time so there is always, at least one of us, that will help to pull the other back up when we stray:)

   This morning, Miss Sarah and I read through Titus. So much of it touched our senses this morning. God was so merciful to send His Son to this earth, not because of anyones "good works" but because He loves us. "But when the kindness and the love of God, our Saviour, toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self condemned...And let our people also learn to maintain good works to meet urgent needs that they may not be unfruitful." Titus 3:4-11,14.

   Remember that not only is mission and charitable work furthing His kingdom but so is how we live. Not being lazy so that others who watch us from afar will not see us just sitting around doing nothing and living, instead, a hypocritical lifestyle. Like the Christians who speak it but don't live it. Who hide behind "legalistics" instead of just taking the bible literally. So many want to read between the lines and mold it into what they want it to say so it will justify their own lifestyles. Jesus wasn't a "legalist". He did not tell us to do anything He would not do. The WHOLE bible is relevant for today just as the teachings were back then. The bible teaches us what works and what doesn't work. It also proves that "history repeats itself". It teaches us that truth never changes and that mankind is still trying to do it their way rather than God's way.

   I like to think of the bible like a recipe. If I want to make chicken soup I'm not going to follow the goulash recipe. If I follow the directions I'm given, (the scriptures/lifestyle), I'm more likely to come up with a good chicken soup (good works/heaven):)

   Just my rambles for this morning:)

God be with thee!

Sister Lori

Hi!

{ 13:53, Sunday, May 20, 2007 } { Posted by LivingSimple }

I am so blessed each time I visit your blog! God Bless you

~Kris

~~Blessings Sister Kris!
It is not often we hear that we have blessed someone with our words or actions. These too are the "works" of God:) I am blessed!
God be with thee!
Sister Lori

Edited by SisterLori on Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 09:23