WORKS- WORKS-WORKS
     WHAT  IN    GOD'S    NAME (literally)  ARE. WORKS?

      Okay,  WHAT are  works  as  CHRIST   would think of them being?
HE actually  defines them, if you carefully discern  HIS  WORD  on
them.  Could they be things like helping a little old lady across the street?
How about giving a homeless guy a $20  or putting a Big Wad in the
collection plate (going beyond that measly 10% request)  What about
forgiving someone who has wronged you in some way, even grievously?
What about getting involved in a community WORKS  project for the
poor? Any or all of the above would, by any World standard, be considered
works, GOOD works in fact.  But would our LORD and SAVIOR think of
them as works? Let's see.  First off, any works that are not of the HOLY
SPIRIT'S leading are NOT works of the LORD, period!  Even the un-saved
and even the heathen do the afore-mentioned "works".  And if they are of no
consequence for them, why would they count for us? They don't !  So what
does?  WORKS that GROW our FAITH!  Okay, give me some examples:
 
1: Tests of Faith- allowing the LORD to completely handle a difficult
     situation you find that has come upon you. Totally TRUSTING in HIM
     thru the entire ordeal thereby increasing your FAITH in HIM to get
     you thru future trouble. (an indication of a now increased FAITH)

2: The effort (WORKS) it takes for you to reject the things of this
       world and all the temptations it holds.  This is NOT an easy thing to
       do and many, many people fail at this.  You need the LORDS help
       In doing this or you too will fail.  Remember HE asks us to Reject
        The things of this world and seek only HIM and you will end up with
         an increased FAITH if you can accomplish it.

 3: The burden (WORKS) to bare the rejection of friends and family
        you suffer for being ONE  of HIS CHOSEN .  You will need to rely
        on HIM in this now friendless position you find yourself in, again this
        requires an increase in FAITH to go on in life more or less alone.
        (this is why HE recommends fellowship with other believers )

4:  To WATCH for HIS RETURN... I don't think the task (WORKS ) of
        doing this needs much of an explanation to you DOVES does it?


5:    The attentiveness to the LEADING of the HOLY SPIRIT in our
          lives.  This is not always an easy thing to do.  We must SUBMIT to
          HIS instructions and they  mostly don't agree with our first instincts
           on what choices we make.  It's hard to "let go" and allow HIM to            
           have HIS WAY  with us, it will take WORK to do this as well.

        Well these are a few examples that come to mind and if you start to
 along these lines, you can probably come up with your own WORKS
of the SPIRIT in your life.  We are all different and unique in JESUS'S
eyes and HE LOVES  each and every one of us more deeply than we can
ever imagine so HIS LOVE is worth the effort, don't you think?

           MARANATHA,

                   TH