Actions ... not words!

[noun pon-tif-i-kit, -keyt; verb pon-tif-i-keyt]

to speak in a pompous or dogmatic manner

Did you ever know someone who likes to pontificate, someone who likes to hear themselves talk, someone who is an expert on everything and always knows the answer to every question – sometimes even before you ask it?  I suspect that most of us know people like that.  But did you now that the Bible actually says that “talk is cheap,” which is precisely what King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 5:7 (New Living Translation).

As I was reading in 1 John this week, I came across this verse, “let us stop just saying that we really love people; let us really love them and show it by our actions.” (3:18 Living Bible).

I think the application for our lives as we continue our celebration of Lent this week is to make sure that our actions mirror our words.  This was brought home to me while we were in Texas several weeks ago.  A person who I didn’t know came up and asked if Rock Church Ministries would have any interest in helping to build a welcome center at an Indian Reservation in New Mexico.  He said they have been trying to build it for several years without success.  I was obviously stunned and wondered how he even knew that this was our eighth trip to the Gulf Coast to help build things for people in need.  His response, “people know what you are doing!”  In other words, our actions speak louder than our words.

During our stay this year at Camp Wilderness Ridge, they invited us back next year to construct an expanded dining hall.  Camp Tejas in Giddings, TX, where we were last year, also asked if we would consider returning next year to help them with pending construction projects.  Obviously the word is out, Rock Church Ministries loves, not with words, but with actions.

As we continue to celebrate Lent this week, I believe it is a good reminder for all of us that people are watching, watching to see if our faith matches our actions, if we truly live what we believe.  I know most of us are familiar with the poem “The Gospel According to You” but it is worth repeating:

You are writing a Gospel,
A chapter each day,
By deeds that you do,
By words that you say.

People read what you write,
Whether faithless or true;
Say, what is the Gospel
According to you?

(Paul Gilbert)

John reminds us that we live our faith not with words but with actions.  Let’s be convicted to live out our faith not only with what we say but also by what we do.  Just saying!

 Important Events in the Life of Our Church

There is a very important Prayer Workshop this Saturday from 8:30 to 12:30 at The Rock.  It is an interactive format discussing such topics as how we can pray creatively, what should we pray for and how to pray with each others.  While attendance is limited to 40 individuals, I believe there may be one or two spots still left.  If you would like to join me for this session, email Janis Taylor taylor-jan@comcast.net who leads the prayer team at The Rock. There is a $10 charge to offset the cost of materials.  It will be an informative and inspirational time.

Also this Sunday at The Rock at 12:45, the Honduras Mission team will give us an update on their most recent visit to Honduras and share the exciting things that are happening at Little Lambs Orphanage.  Whether you’re interested in joining an upcoming team or just want to know a little more about how you can help and support this ministry outreach to the Honduran people, we hope you will join us.

See you Sunday at St. Matts at 8:45 as we begin the final chapter of James talking about some really serious issues like patience!

Have a great week.

Pastor Frank

Frank@StMattUMC.org