At The Movies | Thursday
Thursday | July 23
This Week's Focus:
As Christians, our lives look different because our hope is set on a different source: Jesus Christ's victory over sin and death.
As Christians, our lives look different because our hope is set on a different source: Jesus Christ's victory over sin and death.
Scripture
Scripture Helps Us Hear God And Live His Truth.
Active Faith
A first pass of this week's passage may feel a bit disconnected from our focus. But when we dig a bit deeper, we find that James highlights an important principle in our walk with Christ that informs hope.
If we look back a bit further in the second chapter of James, we find the author recounting the stories of Abraham and Rahab. Abraham was a readily recognizable figure in Israel's history whose journey clearly demonstrated some moments of dedicated faithfulness in response to God's guidance. Rahab, however, provides a more surprising example of someone on the fringes of society who still acted with courage and obediently followed God's leading. James is using these examples to make a point: our faith is not one of passivity but activity.
Returning to our focus, if we have hope but there is no outward expression of confidence, that hope is completely empty. Our hope is meaningless if it does not motivate us to take concrete steps that demonstrate our dependence on God. Trusting in God's constant presence and direction should always challenge us to respond with action that aligns with His will and character (Psalm 37:23-24).
If we look back a bit further in the second chapter of James, we find the author recounting the stories of Abraham and Rahab. Abraham was a readily recognizable figure in Israel's history whose journey clearly demonstrated some moments of dedicated faithfulness in response to God's guidance. Rahab, however, provides a more surprising example of someone on the fringes of society who still acted with courage and obediently followed God's leading. James is using these examples to make a point: our faith is not one of passivity but activity.
Returning to our focus, if we have hope but there is no outward expression of confidence, that hope is completely empty. Our hope is meaningless if it does not motivate us to take concrete steps that demonstrate our dependence on God. Trusting in God's constant presence and direction should always challenge us to respond with action that aligns with His will and character (Psalm 37:23-24).
Reflection
Reflection Helps Us Pause, Listen, And Let God Speak To Our Hearts.
- Do I trust in God to constantly guide me by the hand?
- Am I active in my faith or passively experiencing God?
Weekly Memory Verse
Read It Once A Day. Let It Shape How You Think And Pray This Week.
"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31 NLT
Isaiah 40:31 NLT
Prayer
Through Prayer, We Talk To God And Listen For His Guidance.
Lord, thank you for guiding and directing me. Help me to be active in my faith. Open my eyes to see each opportunity you have placed me in to share who you are. I praise you for all you have done, are doing, and will do! Amen.
Come Back Tomorrow
Join us tomorrow as we explore having an overflowing hope.