GOOD DEEDS AND WORKS

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

James 2:17 AKJV

DEED – an action that is performed intentionally or consciously

We are sometimes blessed to be in the right place at the right time and either give or receive help when it is much needed. But if we want to fulfill our purpose and have a part in the relief of suffering and need – it must be intentional.

When we think of good deeds, and that maybe we could do a few, it is generally around the Christmas Holidays. However, NEED  Is not a Holiday epidemic, it is a year round part of many people’s life.

A few of the reasons/excuses that hold us back are time, resources, and opportunity.

TIME:   SCHEDULE AHEAD IF POSSIBLE. Life can be hectic so use your favorite planner to schedule your outreach. When we schedule important things on our planners they are never a surprise, are less stressful, and are completed more often. Schedule future opportunities well in advance and then there’s no need to “fit” them in. But leave room in your heart for the unexpected opportunity to help a person in need.

RESOURCES:   LEVERAGE ALL RESOURCES. Good or well doing doesn’t always cost money. We can volunteer to help in established programs that are covering the cost. If we have given money then also volunteer to help in the process, if possible, and maximize your contribution. Perhaps we tend to be less willing to give of our time than our money. 

OPPORTUNITY:   SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND. Opportunities to reach out are everywhere. Though public and private organizations, you can put together a group of volunteers, or volunteer on your own.  Google your area for opportunities – need and opportunities are plentiful and workers are few.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:9 AKJV

Let this holiday season and 2019 be the year YOU make a difference.

GOD LOVES YOU !!! ♥️

12 DEEDS AND GOOD WORKS LIST TO INSPIRE US TO BE DOING OUR SHARE.

 (Suggestions for the CHRISTMAS SEASON and NEW YEAR Resolutions)

 1. One person: Choose one person that you perceive to be in need or lonely, outside of friends and family, to give a special gift to for Christmas. If it is a person in need do it anonymously if possible, but not through another person, because then it would not be anonymous. If it is a lonely person – such as elderly – perhaps your gift could also include some time to visit with them. Then tell NO ONE else about your deed.

2. Two People: Identify any two people and began to share the gospel with them.- slow, gentle, and consistent. Invite them, and others, to Church. Continue this throughout the New Year..

3. Three People: Choose three people and began to pray for them consistently. God knows their exact needs even if you don’t. See His power at work. Continue this throughout the New Year.

4. Four Chapters: Choose four Bible Chapters to study, using in-depth inductive Bible Study method, during the New Year. (That is one chapter a quarter)

5. Five Changes: Identify, write down, and schedule five specific things that you know you must change in you Christian walk and began to implement them now. Continue this throughout New Year.

6. Six Volunteer: Choose six causes, events, or needs to volunteer for in during the New Year. Start now, schedule as many in advance as possible. ( that’s only one thing every 2 months) These can be ongoing or one time volunteer occasions like food drives etc.

7. Seven Bibles: Purchase 7 Bibles. Write or print John 3:16 inside or on a nice note card and put it inside the cover. Wrap the Bible neatly in white paper, and keep them handy. Distribute the Bibles throughout the New Year. You can purchase Bibles for a few dollars each. Larger print is best. Give to individuals you feel might not have one. Example: a couple of dollars and a Bible to the next person that approaches you for money. Or when you are checking out – you hand the clerk exact change and a wrapped Bible and leave.

8. Eight Notes/Letters: Write eight notes or letters thanking people for something they have done for you. Think carefully who may have given you a word of hope when you desperately needed one or that taught you something. It can be anything that impacted you positively in your life that they may not have even aware that they did. Do this throughout New Year but the event could have happened anytime in your life.

9. Nine People: Choose nine people that you can encourage and have a positive impact on in New Year. Positive acts can be in word or deeds and can take a little or much as you are willing to share.

10. Ten Random: Write a list of ten repeatable acts of kindness that you can implement regularly throughout the New Year, starting now. Add to this list as you think of new ideas. Example: Pay for the next person in line at restaurant or in checkout at store. Compliment each person you meet in someway. Smile at people. Let someone ahead of you in checkout. Offer to cut someone’s grass. Hold the door for someone. Exercise patience when something is not going well and assure the other person, who is anxious over it, that it is fine and all is well. Ask someone, “What can I do to help you today?”

11. Eleven Donations: Find Eleven items/categories to donate to throughout the New Year. Eleven separate occasions such as donation to a coat drive, Food to Salvation for Thanksgiving or Christmas, Christmas ShoeBox, Diapers or other items to save a life, etc. (not a one time donation of eleven odd socks to the thrift store just to say you did it)

12. Twelve Verses: Choose 12 Bible verses, to learn by heart during the New Year, and write or print them out on beautiful note cards and keep them with you throughout the New Year.

✝️ SCRIPTURES

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Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

James 2:17 AKJV

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:9 AKJV

19. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20. for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

21. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

22. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24. for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

James 1:19-25 AKJV

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6. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

7. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:6-10 AKJV

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Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Hebrews 13:1-2 AKJV

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14. What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15. If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16. and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

19. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21. Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

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 2:14-26 AKJV