God Speaking

“What good is it, my brothers if a man claims to have faith, but has no deeds…?”

(James 2: 14)

Mother’s Day is celebrated in many different countries and usually the second Sunday in May is set aside to honour mothers. For some women this can be a difficult day and especially single mothers with young children, who have nobody in their family able to fuss after them. I was delighted to hear from one of my daughters, that the church she attends, sets aside the Saturday before Mother’s Day, as one totally devoted to helping single mothers in a practical way, but also to make them feel loved and pampered. For example, men in the congregation offer to:

• Change oil
• Wash car
• Minor repairs
• Change snow tires

Ladies do the pampering,

• Hair styling
• Nail painting
• Facials

The children are also invited and cared for with crafts and games. It all starts off with breakfast, and a lovely lunch caps it off as well as they all go home with an evening meal. Well done I say!

Practical Christianity is also a wonderful way of spreading the good news about Jesus Christ. Too often we hear and read what my father used to call “Bleating platitudes” which he attributed to people who spoke about caring for people, but only spoke about it without doing anything about it. James addresses this in his letter to the churches, urging them and of course us, not to offer meaningless words to those in need, but to do something about it!

“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes or daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?” (James 2: 15 – 16)

Sharing God’s love goes far beyond just noticing people in need, spreading his love requires some sort of action. This action does not have to be on a large scale and can often mean noticing a lonely person in our congregation who is in real need of a friend or perhaps a neighbour who has lost a spouse and needs somebody to offer a coffee and companionship.

I have an old friend who travels by bus frequently and she told me she prays before entering the bus, for the Lord to point out someone who needs a smile or a chat. We love it in our Home Group when she shares what we call “the bus stories” and it is amazing how time and time again the Lord uses her to sit right beside somebody who needs encouraging that day.

The secret to be able to achieve practical Christian action is to remain firmly attached to the vine. Jesus assured his disciples and all those who would follow him need to stay firmly rooted in him, then we will be able to be fruitful and bear much fruit for him no matter how old we are.

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (John 15: 4)

God’s Creation

If it wasn’t for God, we wouldn’t exist. He made us all, and there’s one thing he wouldn’t miss. The qualities of a mother, and all it takes to raise His children in his created place.

He knew just what he was doing. Oh, yes he did. For when he made woman to care for kids He gave her strength, He gave her patience, He gave her unconditional love, oh what a special creation!

Thank you, God, for making mothers so amazing I’m especially thankful for mine and all she’s done raising me!