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TODAY’S WORD:

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What good is it, dear brothers and sisters,

if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions?

Can that kind of faith save anyone?

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Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing,

and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day;

stay warm and eat well”

– but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing.

What good does that do?

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So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough.

Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

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Now someone may argue,

“Some people have faith; others have good deeds.”

But I say,

“How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds?

I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

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– James 2:14-18 (NLT)

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REFLECTION…

ON FAITH AND DEEDS…

AND, IMPORTANTLY, ON THE CORRECT CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE TOWARDS REFUGEES…

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Let us read today’s Word again:

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What good is it, dear brothers and sisters,

if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions?

Can that kind of faith save anyone?

.

Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing,

and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day;

stay warm and eat well”

– but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing.

What good does that do?

.

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough.

Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

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Now someone may argue,

“Some people have faith; others have good deeds.”

But I say,

“How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds?

I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

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QUOTES…FOR DEEPER PERSONAL REFLECTION…

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“‘For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me.

I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink.

I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home.

I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing.

I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

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I tell you the truth,

when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters,

you were refusing to help me. ’"

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– Our Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:42-43,45)

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“Sell your possessions and give to those in need.

This will store up treasure for you in heaven!

And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes.

Your treasure will be safe;

no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it."

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– Our Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:33)

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“If someone has enough money to live well

and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion

– how can God’s love be in that person?

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Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other;

let us show the truth by our actions."

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– St John the Apostle (1 John 3:17-18)

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Remove my self-centredness, O Lord, and make mine a living faith!

Change my priorities and direct my love towards those in need.

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