You Have to At least Try (Or It Will Die!)

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
–James 2:20


Are you willing to be shown [proof], you foolish (unproductive, spiritually deficient) fellow, that faith apart from [good] works is inactive and ineffective and worthless? –James 2:20 (AMP)


Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That's just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them? Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands?
–James 2:19-20 (MSG)


Good Morning Friend,


Do your dreams seem lifeless?


Could it be because you aren't putting any [good] work into that which you are believing for? Often times we receive a dream and/or vision from the Lord or to even have personal goals/aspirations and we believe God for the increase but we don't give Him anything to work with. This can be out of laziness, fear, doubt or even through not having the know-how to carry the work of the dream out effectively. I want to encourage you this week no matter what the reason you haven't been working on or towards your dream(s) to AT LEAST TRY! You may fall a few times along the way, you may even fail at the task and things may not come out like you necessarily thought they would but when its all said and done you will at least have the experience of trying something new. But look at the flip side of it, you can try and work hard towards your dreams and more likely than not you will find success, effectiveness (yourself and others being blessed through your efforts) and a sense of accomplishment in what it is that you are doing.

In the focus scripture, James The Great who was a major leader in the early church and is believed to be Jesus' step-brother (not to be confused with James the brother of John and the son of Zebedee) declares simply that you can have all the faith in the world, but if you don't rise from your place of "do nothing" and put some work, energy and effort behind your faith it (your faith and your dream) will ultimately die. James admonishes the church that having faith, hope and belief separate from some action is like having a body without a spirit; it's just a corpse [a lifeless shell] such is faith without works.

My friend it is important to have strong faith…VERY IMPORTANT. But strong faith is useless unless you have some strong works that will cause you to need to draw on your faith in difficult or faith shaking times. Have you ever met (or are you) someone who is always talking about what they are going to do, going to get or going to accomplish but you never see them putting any effort into doing, going or becoming? Don't allow discouragement, discontentment, the fact that others around you failed at their dreams, or others trying to tell you it wont work for you detour you from becoming what it is that you desire so bad to become. Most of the time that's easier said than done…I know that first hand! But here are some pointers that help me whenever I feel discouraged or detached from working towards my dreams:

  1. If you lack wisdom, ask the Lord for it and He will give it to you. Sometimes all we need is to be pointed in the right direction at the right time. Before checking with a board or asking others for advice have a conversation with the Lord. We will always steer you on to the right path and give wisdom to those who ask for it. (James 1:5)

  1. Surround yourself with positive and confident thinkers, speakers and doers. Being around other movers and shakers will keep you motivated and encouraged to continue to work your work.

  1. Surround yourself with critical thinkers and those who have expertise in the area in which you are embarking. If your car broke down would you take it to a baker or a tailor? Absolutely not! You would find a mechanic who can properly diagnose the problem and then fix it accurately. Likewise when it comes down to whom you allow to impart knowledge into you, your dreams and visions. Place yourself around people who will add value to you and your vision and will leave you buoyant and thinking on a higher level.

  1. Keep a listening ear, open mind and a receptive heart. Don't think you know it all. You can learn a lot from basically anybody and out of any situation if you just listen, take the limits off your mind and the prejudices off of your heart. I have had many good examples of what to be and do and even what NOT to be and do just by listening, being observant and being receptive. You can avoid a lot of pitfalls by observing and learning from others mistakes. Something that my grandmother taught me still helps me today; when it the presence of wisdom, keep your mouth shut, listen and absorb what it is that is being said to you. Even if it is not prevalent now it may be something that can and will help you along your journey.

I'm not claiming these to be a "fix all" but utilizing these principles will definitely get you closer to your destiny than sitting discouraged wondering why your dream isn't coming to pass or why you don't have a desire to become or do what you once did. My friend, I know it can be hard when working towards destiny but you have to at least try or unfortunately it (your faith, hope, dreams, drive, abilities, etc.) will die.

Love & Life,

Clyde L. Webster

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