Romans 5:1-2

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace[a] with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

My friend Mindy picks a word to focus on each year. After much thought I chose FAITH to be my word for 2017. I chose the word initially because the word would remind me focus on JESUS, the OBJECT of my faith. However, I believe that God put FAITH on my heart because He knows that I still have much to learn and understand!

I have been wondering what I do with the verses in James that tell me that faith without works is DEAD. (James 2:14-26) I have ALS and I can't have an ACTIVE ministry role. I am no longer able to volunteer in the nursery, teach Sunday School, make meals for families in my church or community, verbally share the Gospel of Jesus to people I meet, give hugs to show God's love, write encouraging notes, sing praise and worship songs, go on a missions trip, minister to the needs of others, or even hold someone's hand and pray for them. What GOOD WORKS can I do to demonstrate my faith? I am beginning to think that I am asking the wrong question.

I think the question I should be asking is, "What WORKS is GOD doing IN and THROUGH me?" The WORKS that accompany my FAITH are GOD at WORK in ME. God working in me will result in me ACTING OUT. I will end up doing the most unnatural, uncomfortable, unexpected, unseen, unsafe, unprofitable and unselfish WORKS. My FAITH will ultimately result in WORKS that could only be GOD in me. I am thankful that my wheelchair can't get in God's way!

Look Me In the Heart by Wayne Watson