Faith

Our Pastor brought a Holy Spirit filled message this morning.  Many among our congregation struggle with the concept of eternal security.  However, to be confident in your eternal security, one needs to examine his faith.  Do you have DEAD faith or DYNAMIC faith?

EXAMPLE OF DEAD FAITH:
Mark 3:11-12
"And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known."
Verse 11 shows us that demons (unclean spirits) believe that Jesus is the Son of God. They have an intellectual and dead faith.  They have the knowledge that Jesus is the Son of God.  We know their faith is dead because of James 2:14 "What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?" and James 2:17-19 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." We know that works alone do not save a person's soul, but true faith in God's sacrifice of Jesus as payment for the sin that separates us from God's holiness, will always result in a changed heart.  A changed heart produces good works and fruit in a person's life.  Also notice that the demons were compelled to obey Jesus.  He "charged them that they should not make him known."  You can fool other people and yourself that you are a child of God by saying that you obey God.  The demons also obeyed.  Some think because they obey God's command of "not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together", Hebrews 10:25, by going to church, that they are saved.  Or maybe because they obey God's command of giving to Him "Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:" Proverbs 3:9   Going to church and tithing are good works, and should be practiced by all believers, but knowledge and obedience do not save your soul.  There is another type of faith, a DYNAMIC faith, that saves your soul.  Dynamic faith is saving faith.  Saving faith includes knowledge and obedience, but there are a few key things missing here; conviction, acceptance/repentance.  You must first have a knowledge that you were given life by a sovereign God, but because "by one man sin entered the world", you were born a sinner and are deserving of the wrath of God.  You must also realize that sin separates us from a Holy God, and that the price for your sin is death.  You must know that God offered His Son, Jesus, who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and willingly gave His life, as a sacrifice (payment) for your sins.  Conviction is given by the Holy Spirit to show you your sinful nature.  Jesus' sacrifice will pay your debt to sin if you have faith and choose to accept Him. When you whole-heartedly and truly choose to accept Jesus, by faith, repentance takes place.  Repentance is a turning away from the sin that separated you from God.  Once you have this saving faith, you are justified by the blood of Jesus.  Justification is giving immediately by God, but sanctification takes is a life-long process.  We are not "perfect" because we have saving faith.  We will still make mistakes and disappoint ourselves, our friends/family, and God.  This does not mean we have lost our saving faith.  Once you have saving faith, it can not be taken away.  The question is did you have DYAMIC faith that is based on conviction and repentance, or did you have DEAD faith that is based on knowledge and routine obedience?  Salvation is not a far-off, unachievable task.  We are not save because of our works, but we work because we are saved! 
It has been a good day in God's house, and I needed that.  Rob left for Germany this morning.  He has already faced a few difficulties and we are not sure how it will turn out yet.  On top of everything, he ate LETTUCE in Germany.  O me....what will I do with this man?!  He really needs me!  lol!  I felt a little better when I read Fox News and saw they have a certain confidence that the E-coli was brought on by bean sprouts?  Maybe my poor husband will make it home without visiting the local German hospital!  I hope so! 
I taught 6-11 year old Children's Church this morning!  We had a wonderful time!  I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve in this area.  What a special blessing children are!  On the ride home this evening, we were listening to the "Hallelujah" worship chorus, and Fisher starts singing, "Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah..."  Abbi says, "Amen, Fisher, Amen!"  Hunter replies with, "Praise God, Fisher!" and "Praise the Lord!"  Fisher then starts again with, "Amen! Praise God!"  This continued for several minutes.  In the meantime, my heart just bubbled over with a happiness and joy that I can not describe to you in a blog.  It is a special blessing to be the mother of these three beautiful children. I wish Rob was here to enjoy this with me! 
I hope everyone got the chance to see the videos and pictures from Fisher's party, if not, I will post links below.  I hope everyone's day has been as fulfilling as mine has been!  Thank you Jesus!

Fisher's Birthday Pictures
Fisher's "Happy Birthday Cake" Video
Fisher's "Happy Birthday Presents" Video
Fisher's "Happy Birthday Presents2" Video
Fishers "Take 2 on the birthday candles" Video
After the Take 2 on the birthday candles, we hade a Take 3, 4, 5.....  He has a new hobby!  Wonder what he will do when the cake is gone?!  lol!
For anyone who missed it, here is Hunter's Sign language performance video.  He does not like attention!
Hunter's Sign Language Video