Friday, September 30, 2011
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2:25-26
Today, we’ll look at our second “case study” that James provides for us. To find out the history about Rahab go read Joshua 2:1-22. Rahab was a prostitute in the city of Jericho who heard of the reputation of the nation of Israel, and more specifically of the God of this nation. Joshua, the leader of the nation of Israel at that time, sent spies into the city to gather relevant information before they conquered the city. When the spies encountered Rahab, she told them of her faith in their God. Specifically in Joshua 2:11, she says “And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.” She then goes on to help the spies escape, and keep their plans a secret. Her faith (that Jehovah God is the One, True God) lead her to action (protecting the spies).James then goes on to describe this faith without works as a corpse without a spirit. It’s just not a living, effective faith.
Application:
This week we have read an incredible group of verses that describes what living, genuine, authentic faith looks like. Today, if you know that you’re a child of God, take a few minutes to thank Him for saving you, and for helping you to live out your faith.
Study the Scriptures with Ben Jennings 
Dear god, first things first I want to thank you for sending your som down to earth and dying on the cross for all of our sins even when we were your enemy. I want to thank you for loving us when we didn’t even know you yet and still loving us no matter what we did good or bad. I want to thank you for giving me faith in you and trusting you and putting my life in your hands and everything in your hands and getting baptized so I can serve you more but getting baptized was the best day of my life and I will never forget it. You done so much for me and everyone and you don’t mind you love everyone and that’s what I love about you god and I’m knowing, growing, serving, and going for you oh and thank you for letting me grow out my faith in you!! 🙂 <333
And to connect with you everyday and learn more about you along the way I am your follower, your sister in Christ ad I will always follow you for as long as I live and when in dead my sprit will be as happy as ever when I’m up there (the new world or heaven) with you and with everyone else I love and amire.
Lord, thank u for all things tht u have given me. U have given me so much tht I can’t even say all of them… !!!!! 😀 u have given me my family, a church family, a home, a roof over my head, food, drinks. I have so many more especially all my bestfriends!!!!!!!!!!!! They have helped me get through a lot!!! 😀 I am just to thankful for everyone tht god has put in my life for a reason! He sent his ONLY son to die for ME on the cross!!! To pay for our sins!!!!! I love reading the bible cuz everything I read it I’m always like oh my gosh! This is so amazing! I can’t believe tht this happened!! 🙂 but I am thankful for everything tht God has given me! I love u lord! And thanks alot! And all jesus’s men said,… AMEN!!!! ❤
Good job Buddii!! 🙂 AMEN! is right lol!!! 😀
The story of Rahab, is pretty incredible. A prostiute, often someone who is very judged and looked down upon, had great faith in God. She told the spies that Joshua had sent about her faith and she protected them. I think that’s crazy! If you and I were encountered with a prostitue, the last thing we’d think about, “Is wow! She had great faith in God. Can’t you just tell by her actions?” No, we’d think the complete opposite! I like this story, because it doesn’t only go along with what we’ve been talking about with judging people and invisibles, but she used her faith and put it into action. Cool story.
This weeks verses have had a lot to them haven’t they? Just when we think we have authentic faith, these verses made us really think about it, or it made me think about my faith at least. I had to question myself and dig deep to see if I’m really putting my faith into action. I know this is something I need to continue to work on everyday. We can’t just get it right one day, and expect to be a-ok every other day. It takes work, and we need to have the right mind set, and have a willing heart to put our faith in God into action and unto works! James wrote some good stuff!
Today I want to thank God for dying on the cross for not just me, but for everyone. I want to thank Him, for putting everyone that I have an encounter with in my life, so that I have the opportunity to be a good testimony to them. I want to thank God for helping me to live out my faith each day, and for giving me a life I don’t deserve. Thank you God, for everything.
“Indescribable, uncontainable, You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God! All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim, You are amazing God!”
I agree with melanie, usually you wouldn’t think a prostitute would have great faith in God like Rahab did! But that’s what’s cool about the bible. God can use anyone who’s willing to listen and obey Him. There’s so much that I can thank God for, the list goes on and on! The number one thing would obviously be sending His son to die on the cross. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been, but that just shows how much He really loves us!
This weeks devos have been really helpful, and reading about all of this stuff makes me wonder if I have authentic faith, and if I don’t, it makes me want to try even harder to put my faith into actions! Sometimes it seems so easy, all I have to do is put my faith and trust in God and He’ll fulfill His plan for me. & for some weird reason it’s not always that easy. But these verses have definitely been a HUGE help! 🙂
I think its cool how James references characters & instances (Real people & real storys!) from the old testament to explain what faith actually is. Faith isnt just “jumping off the scaffolding”, its jumping & knowing that God will always catch you no matter what the risk or outcome! Rahab was a prostitute, and in todays society & especially back then, they aren’t exactly high on the social status. But her faith in God helped protect those spys. I think this story shows that even when we make bad choices, that if our faith in God is real & authentic, then He will always be there for us! I’m so thankful for God sending His son Jesus to die for me, because now i know that i am saved & have a home in Heaven when i die. I dont deserve it one bit. Im a sinful sinner, and i sin & sin & sin.. Even when i say i won’t try to anymore. Its our human nature to, & im just so grateful that Jesus died for me & payed my debt instead of me having to. THATS love!
Thank u Jesus for dying on the cross 4 me n everyone else!! 🙂 u hv given me sooooo much and i can’t name them all!! it makes me think of all of the people who don’t hv stuff like us.i am truly very,very blessed!!! 🙂 thank u Jesus for giving me a home in heaven when i die! thank u for coming into my heart and my life!
sorry i couldn’t finish what i was gonna say.my mom needed me 2 get off 4 a minute.2 top off everything i said,thank u,thank u,thank u,thank u,thank u, thank u, JESUS!!!!!!!! ur the best!! 🙂 ur my BESTEST friend in the WHOLE world!!!!!!!!! p.s., could u guys pleaseeee pray 4 my bro? he has a high blood sugar. 😦 a normal one 120 and his is 158.he’s gettin another blood test tmrw.if it is still at 158 he would be diabetic! 😦 please pray tht won’t happen!! he’s already struggling w/ the hearing and eye problem! thnx 4 all the prayers!!!! see u guys sunday!!!!
I’ll be praying for your brother! 🙂
You guys have made my day with your posts…wow. Mafalda- great prayer girl. Everyone…Thanks so much.
Praying for you!
That last comment was me. Sorry…Meg was on my ipad 🙂
thnx alexis!!!! 🙂 means alot!!! 🙂