Believe Then Do

Pastor Janet Peterson
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Penang, Malaysia
PRINCIPLES OF FAITH

James 1:22 says: ".......and not hearers only..." Sadly, we do a lot of that, don't we? "... deceiving your own selves."

Do what it says. Interesting! James is saying that it's possible for people who listen to the Word all the time to be kidding themselves if they're not doing what they hear.

A missionary once said to me "You know, one burden I have is for Christians is because I think they are over-feeded." Well, his English may not have been perfect, but his point sure was. He swept his arms around the people in that big conference auditorium. He said, "so many out there are so hungry and so thirsty and the people here are over feeded."

He's right you know?. Look, you there in the West, you in every big nation; even my own nation Malaysia, we've got seminars, and books, and recordings, and websites, and Bible studies, and concerts, and church programs. We simply sit and eat a lot, like being on some on vacation. But you may say "I can't help where I live; I didn't decide that even if I do get over-fed." 

But what about Luke 12:48 then, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:." What's the answer to over-feeding? More exercise. James 1:22 says (my paraphrase), "You're kidding yourself if you're eating it and not exercising it." 

Beloved, just because you know it doesn't mean anything.

What does exercise mean? Well, number one, it means specific obediences to the Lord. Today when I open God's Word, I must be looking for a concrete response that I can measure up to by tonight, "Did I do it or did I not?" I don't just hear it. I do it; I write it down so I can hold myself accountable. I share it with other people so they can hold me accountable. I look for something to do today because of what I read, or shall we say what I 'ate' spiritually.

Secondly, you look for a personal mission; something on your heart that has broken God's heart, and you've allowed Him to break your heart with it. You've got to have a mission, a piece of the action, a place where you're doing Kingdom business; where you throw money, and time, and sacrifice into it.

One thing I've learned, obedience and mission burn up spiritual calories. God DOES NOT feed you to make you fat; HE feeds you to make you active; to give you energy for doing the things that advance HIS Kingdom.

Beloved, we are "over-fed", but we can balance that intake by leaving the table and going out daily to run a race for Jesus Christ....Rid yourselves of the Over Eating Syndrome....That's your challenge!!...will you take it?