Scripture:
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters,[a] if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you?15 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder.20 Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith apart from works is barren? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works. 23 Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.
James 2:14-26
8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
Matthew 3:8
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Be doers of the Word and not hearers only.
Lent is a time of fasting, repentance and self-preparation for Easter. This can mean a time of self-denial such as giving up some of our favorite foods -- bread, meat or even chocolate 
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It may mean giving up some time on facebook or less time playing Candy Crush on the computer or tablet. While both of these activities may be beneficial to our waistline and our physical being, we must also consider our spiritual being as well. It is important to prepare one's heart for Easter and reflect on our relationship with God. What can we do to have a closer relationship with God? What can we do to be more Christ-like? We know that Jesus came to serve. He didn't just preach and teach, but His words were put into actions -- showing love, compassion, forgiveness and healing to ALL people.
While we may choose to give up something, (foods) which might actually be beneficial to our health, we must also think about giving of ourselves -- our time to helping others. You can do this by volunteering to help with the Welcome Table, Good Neighbors, the Food Connection, Meals on Wheels, driving the elderly to doctor's appointments, visiting those in hospitals, the elderly or shut-ins, calling those who have been absent from church, and sending cards to people just to let them know you are remembering them.
By living the fruits of the spirit, (love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, and faith) lets others see our faith in Christ in our actions towards others. As it is written in James 2:26, As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Prayer: Lord, giver of all things, help us to show our faith in giving graciously of our time and talents to others. In doing so we will bless others and in return will be blessed by our actions. Amen.
Ann Tallent
This is part of a daily devotional series running through the Lenten Season (March 5-April 20th). Please feel free to comment below and share this devotional with your friends and family.
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