What are your actions saying?

This post might sting. Why do you go to church? To worship, to hear God's word, to confess sin, to take part in communion, to pray, to fellowship? All are valid reasons. Going to church is in a way, noble. Most likely you are in the minority of your co-workers and maybe of your friends too. You give up an hour or so of your two days off during the week or maybe it's only one day off, to go to worship God. That is admirable and yet...

Just going and sitting may be cleansing for your soul or bring you closer to God for the day, but what are the lasting affects of your Sunday worship? Not only for yourself but for others? How long into the week before you slip into the worldly ways?

You are a precious gemstone of God and your ripples affect others, even when you do nothing. When you deny knowing God or omit God from your conversation, you are fortifying the enemy's position. It is sad that we can feel embarrassed by our beliefs. We know to some, it is a far fetched idea of a man being God and dying and coming back to life. It sounds like science fiction and some will mock us for that. But there may be those who want to know more about your beliefs and the opportunity is not there when you are silent and they don't know they can talk to you about it. Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

But the ripple affect I mostly want to address here is when you go to church and nothing else. When you don't become involved, the ripple of your life is touching someone else, making them get more involved to pick up your slack. They may already be wearing several hats. Does not James 2:17 apply to you? "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." What works do you do? Is your faith dead?

We all know the excuses, I don't have time, someone else is better than me at that (my personal go to excuse), maybe even, I don't want to. Do you want to go to work? Do you want to reprimand your child? Do you want to house train your dog or clean out the kitty litter? Do you not benefit from being paid by your job? Do you not have joy knowing you are raising a child properly, do you not love your pet? We have many things we don't want to do, but we have to and there are rewards that often outweigh the task. Sometimes, we may find we even enjoy the task, walking the dog, playing with our children and maybe enjoying our career.

We use the phrase, "what would Jesus do" for the tough issues, but how about the small? Would he go to church and sit and leave? Or would he bring food for the food shelter collection? Clothes for the needy? Items for Operation Christmas child and missionary needs? Would he help with church clean up and other service projects? Would he greet, usher or set up coffee? We know he would teach. If you ask, "What would Jesus do?", Yes, he was a teacher, but I contend that if he washed feet, I believe he would have done all of these things. Are we better than him that we don't want to serve others? How can we show our love but by serving? If your heart is in the right place, serving should become a natural reaction and when you think there is no way for you to serve, ask God and doors will open. Galatians 6:7-10: "Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." By serving God, not only will you reap the benefits but so will others.

Actions speak. What are your actions saying?