People love to talk about how they don’t need church because God is everywhere and in everything. God is a kindly spirit who watches over us while we play. In the vaguest sense, it’s true and can make for a pleasant, no-worries life. But to what end? This kind of faith does nothing and goes nowhere. It is useless. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” Those satisfied with the everywhere, everyone, do-nothing god have the god they love. They do not need a meddling Christian one poking around in their lives.
Real Christian faith is different. Christian faith is alive because God is alive. He is involved in life right here and now. He is the God of the living who calls men to life, but not any life; His life. Some hear and respond; some do not. Those who hear want something more from life than they see everywhere and everyday. They want a faith that works.
This is why James says a practical faith is essential for Christians. He urges us to let prayer lead us into action. “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 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?”
When Charlotte and I came to Hopi a month ago, we were greeted with smiles, friendship and fresh bread. The givers, our neighbors, have no car, no computer, and no television. The only running water in their house is the monsoon rain that comes through their porous roof. Nevertheless they are happy people. They are happy because God’s presence changed their lives. God works and He will work yet more.
God could drop them a new mobile home from Heaven--and He might do it yet. If He does we might be amazed for all of two weeks. Then the tale becomes one more discounted miracle. However, if God works through us, we receive an eternal blessing. That’s why God so often chooses to work through us.
If you have ears to hear and are able to be moved by the Spirit, I am asking you to join me in giving these folks a blessing that they have not asked for nor expect to receive as their due. It is my intention to go beyond prayer and supply these kind people with a roof that water does not run through and pipes that water does.
Send your prayers up to God. If you hear back from Him do something. Tax deductible donations can be sent to:
Altus Church of God
900 S. Park
Altus, OK 73521
If you don’t need the deduction, you can send help to:
Jack LaFountain
General Delivery
Keams Canyon, AZ 86034
or click the Hopi Project’s PayPal link o this page or at:
www.jacklafountain.com
