Gifting God's Word

11/15/2025

As I’ve grown in the Lord, I’ve stopped asking “Why, God?”—whether in pain or blessing. Now I ask “How, Lord?”
- How should I carry this?
- How should I respond?
- How do You want to be glorified in this?

“How” takes you deeper than “why” ever could. It’s where peace lives.

“The Gospel of John opens with Jesus Christ in the bosom of God, and closes with the sinner in the bosom of Jesus Christ.”

— D.L. Moody

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go. for to you, I entrust my life – Psalm 143:8

John 9 is the ninth chapter of the Gospel of John in the New Testament of the Christian Bible.

It maintains the previous chapter's theme "Jesus is light", recording the healing of a man who had been blind from birth, a miracle performed by Jesus, and their subsequent dealings with the Pharisees.

The man born blind comes to complete faith in Jesus, while some of the Pharisees remain in their sin.

Welcome to the morning boost.

Grab your coffee and true the speakers up.

https://youtu.be/57S_NBOmyx0

We could all use a healer.

Let's bend out hearts to the Lord, with His prayer,

Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever.
Amen.

If you are using your Bible, turn to John 9:1-12

John 9
Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
9 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.

2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,.that he was born blind?”

3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.

7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?”

9 Some claimed that he was.

Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”

But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”

10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.

11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”

12 “Where is this man?” they asked him.

“I don’t know,” he said.

Beloved lets start with location.

Jesus and His disciples are said to be "passing by" and there is no indication yet that they have left Jerusalem, the scene of the narrative in chapters 7 and 8.

Jesus sends the man He heals to the Pool of Siloam, a rock-cut pool on the southern slope of Jerusalem, located outside the walls of the Old City to the southeast.

There is no other New Testament reference to Jerusalem having a synagogue, but rabbinical tradition states that there were 480 synagogues in Jerusalem at the time of the Jewish rebellion.

So what of this man blind from birth?

One of the hardest things in life is the suffering of children, and the suffering of those who love them — especially when that early suffering turns into a lifetime of living with profound loss.

We have all had to accept the fact that, while we are alive, we are also dying.

In Genesis, man sins and God cursed man, animals and the earth.

We all live under the curse and death us the result.

This is one reason why we are so concerned about our physical health.

When something goes wrong, we know we need a healer and a healing.

We generally look for a natural or medicinal means to treat our physical ailments, but in the Word of God we learn of a healing that is divine.

The phrase “by His stripes we are healed” refers to the punishment Jesus Christ suffered—floggings and beatings with fists that were followed by His agonizing death on a cross—to take upon Himself all of the sins of all people who believe Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.

Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the apostle Peter wrote, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.”

In Isaiah 53 we read, Jesus’ future life on earth was foretold in the clearest of terms, to include his eventual torture and death: “But He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds (stripes) we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24).

Beloved, there is healing in the blood of Jesus spilled at the cross.

It is important to remember that God is primarily interested in what brings Him glory and draws you closer to Him.

I can tell you from personal experience that sickness and disease will show where our heart is spiritually.

When we suffer from. Long term illness we will experience all kinds of emotions.

We can feel helpless, hopeless, angry, sad and frustrated. All normal and part of the process.

As we mature as Christians our question "why did you do this to me Lord" transforms to "why did you do this for me lord?"

The answer is to bring Himself glory and draw people to Him.

Beloved, when we suffer with illness and still have a heart for God and for others, we testify to God's sovereignty in our life. We show the lightning the Lord to the world regardless of our circumstances.

But what of faith healing? Can't God heal me?

Of course he can, and if healing you would bring Him glory, strengthen your faith and draw others too Him, He might just do that.

Either way, physically healed or not, Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross, heals us spiritually.

We are saved and made right with God thru faith in Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection.

Beloved, we are taught in Romans 8:18 that Paul consider that our present sufferings not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

As we can see by today's verses, our Lord performed miracles in order to meet human needs, but He also used them as a means to confirm the Truth of the words He spoke.

His miracles were His "credential" to prove that He was indeed the Messiah

Let's pray to God for healing this morning as we close.

Father God, Thank you for the day you have made and for the opportunity to come together and study your Word without persecution or fear. Thank you for your Son and His sacrifice on the cross for our salvation. Jesus, by your patience in suffering you hallowed earthly pain and gave us the example of obedience to our Father's will. Be near us in our time of weakness and pain; sustain use by your grace, that our strength and courage may not fail; heal us according to your will; and help us always to believe that what happens to us here is of little account if you hold us in eternal life, my Lord and my God. Place these words deep in our hearts that we may be steadfast in our faith and on the tip of our tongues that we may share the gospel with courage and love. In Jesus name we pray,
Amen.

Please share this post and invite others to join us.

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May God bless you and keep you.

Don't forget to Love God and Love people!

11/12/2025

November , 2025

Dear Walter Leathers,

Thank you for submitting your second manuscript, Chasing Jesus to the Cross and Beyond, for our consideration. We appreciate the care and conviction you’ve poured into this devotional, and we remain impressed by the theological soundness and heartfelt tone that marked your previous work.

After careful review by our editorial team, we’ve decided not to move forward with publication at this time. While the content is solid and the writing clear, the devotional landscape is exceptionally crowded. Your book, though competently executed, does not present a distinctive voice, structure, or hook that would allow it to rise above the many similar titles already in the marketplace.

That said, the response wasn’t uniformly negative. The “raw draft” bonus pages you appended—those unpolished, behind-the-scenes entries from your earliest drafting sessions—drew unanimous laughter and delight around our conference table. Their candor, humor, and occasional chaos are genuinely irresistible. If you happen to have a complete set of these unfiltered drafts, we would be eager to explore their potential as the backbone of a different project—perhaps a lighthearted devotional memoir or a “how devotionals really get written” companion piece.

Please feel free to reach out to my assistant, Lauren (), if you’d like to discuss this alternate direction. We’d love to hear more.

Thank you again for entrusting us with your work. We wish you every success in placing *Chasing Jesus to the Cross and Beyond* elsewhere and look forward to the possibility of collaborating on something fresh and unmistakably yours.

Warm regards,

Yeah yeah rejection is all part of it but what about the idea they presented?

Now it's your turn to weigh in.

*** Do you think they are right? ***

What do you think about both options?

The first is my traditional style of study edited and ready for public consumption. Not perfect but thoroughly worked over.

"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates

💡 Powerful quiet time this morning, reflecting on the mystery that lies at the heart of it all.

"It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to seek things out." - Proverbs 25:2

What does it mean to seek things out? 🤔

Picture this: a stormy sea at night. Waves crashing. Wind howling. The disciples in a boat, terrified. Then Jesus—walking on water. (Matthew 14:22-33)

Peter sees Him and calls out: "Lord, if it’s You, tell me to come to You on the water."

Jesus says one word: "Come."

And Peter steps out.
He walks—on water—eyes fixed on Jesus.

But then? He looks at the waves. Feels the wind. Fear rushes in.
He sinks.

Yet in that moment of sinking, he cries: "Lord, save me!"
And Jesus immediately reaches out, catches him, and says:

"You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Here’s the mystery beneath the surface 🌊:

Peter wasn’t just testing if Jesus could make him walk on water.
He was seeking his identity—not in the boat, not in the storm, not even in his own courage—but in Christ.

Option 2. My slightly edited raw initial thoghts after reading the Scriptures... the things that play out in my head halping ME remember the details.

If you find the irreverent or offensive.. let me know and I apologize in advance. I really do understand reverence and how important it is to sone people. That being said. Here you go

THE NIGHT PETER TRIED TO WALK WALK ON WATER.

The sea was drunk. Not tipsy—hammered. Reminds me of my days in the Navy. Nit just the storm but the hammered part.
Anyway, Waves sloshed like cheap wine in a cracked cup, and the wind kept yelling obscenities in Aramaic. Inside the boat, twelve grown men were losing their s**t and thier religion one white-knuckled prayer at a time.

Then Jesus showed up.
Not in the boat.
Not on the shore.

On the water.

Strutting across the lake like it was the Temple courtyard and He’d just paid the cover charge.

The disciples lost what was left of their minds.
“Ghost!” James hissed, clutching his brother like a life vest.

“Shut up, it’s Him,” John whispered, already halfway to writing a worship chorus in his head.

Peter—because of course it was Peter—stood up in the boat, robe flapping like a surrender flag in a hurricane.

“Lord, if that’s really You and not some sea-demon cosplaying, tell me to come out there.”

Jesus didn’t even blink.
“Come.”

Peter swung a leg over the side.
The others grabbed for him—*“Are you insane?”*—but he was already gone, barefoot on the waves like they were marble floors.

Three steps. Four.
He was doing it!

The same Peter who will lie like a rug on the big night. That Peter, ego and all was now actually doing it, eyes locked on Jesus, heart doing cartwheels.

Then the wind burped in his face.
A wave slapped his knees.
And Peter—sweet, dumb, glorious Peter—looked down.

Big mistake.

Gravity remembered his address.
He dropped like a sack of regrets, mouth full of Galilee, arms flailing for a Savior who was *right there*.

“Lord, save me!” he gurgled, half-drowning, half-praying.

Jesus didn’t sprint. Didn’t panic.
He just reached down, grabbed Peter’s wrist like He was picking up the tab, and hauled him up.
“You of little faith,” He said, smirking just enough to be infuriating, “why’d you doubt? The water’s fine”

Peter coughed up half the Sea of Galilee and managed a soggy grin.

“Because I’m an idiot?”

“that's the "rock" I am going to end up building my church on.” Jesus replied.

They walked back to the boat together—Jesus calm, Peter dripping and trying not to skip.
The storm didn’t stop. The waves didn’t hush.
But the disciples? They shut up.
For once.

When they climbed in, Peter wrung out his robe and muttered, “Next time, I’m bringing water wings.”

Jesus just winked.
“Next time, keep your eyes on Me.”

Moral for the rest of us:
You’ll never walk on water if you’re busy measuring the depth of your doubts.
Step out anyway.
The One who told the sea to behave in the first place has a firm grip on idiots like us.

Matthew 14:22-33,

Well if you made it this far.... what's your 2 cents?

10/17/2025

Watching the sunrise in Fl and praising God. 2023

09/27/2025

Timely opportunity to reflect on who is feeding your family. What are the hearing, seeing and learning. The world is fallen and corruption is everywhere and it always has one goal... to put distance between God and His children.

09/25/2025

He impacted a lot of people...

09/15/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AxFM13TVy/

06/03/2025

Good evening beloved,

This is a post from a few years ago about sin. Check it out.

This is why I wrote the Sin deception. So many people are misinformed about sin and whatnit really is. If you haven't, check out my book and let me know what you think. I will post at link at the bottom of this post. Read it with someone you love....

Ok, here is your blast from the past.

Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of God

"If you are ignorant of God's Word, you will always be ignorant of God's will."
— Billy Graham

Gifting Gods Word

Glad you have joined us for the evening Bible study.

We are going to continue with Ruth, tomorrow night. Tonight I want to answer a question that I get from many of you.

Do you know what question I get asked the most?

I'll tell you after we praise and pray.

Praise first,

https://youtu.be/rePUJW8IGL4

Father God, we have come again to study your Word and grow our faith in you Lord. We have questions and need answers so we have come to the source of truth. You Word gives us knowledge, and with the Holy Spirit, wisdom. Open our minds to your message and our heart to your love.

In Jesus name we pray.

Amen

After I began sharing my quiet time morning message and evening Bible study, I have been asked many times a week "is IT a sin"?

Real questions..

from real people struggling to do the "right" thing....

People looking for understanding.

The "IT" of thier sin has ranged from swearing to over sleeping, from alcohol to pain medication, from w**d to a v**e pen, from a vaccine to gun ownership.

I have been asked about premarital s*x and ma********on.

People want to know if homes*xuality or transgenderism is a sin.

I have even been asked if witch craft and acid trips are a sin.

If taking something someone will never miss but you need, is a sin?

I had a gentleman ask me if using a martial aid with his wife was a sin.

A woman asked me if being nervous about her boyfriends activities was a sin. Was checking his phone a sin?

A grandmother asked me if it was a sin to post pictures?

A young woman asked me if it was a sin to use baby formula... for real

A father asked me if letting his 10 year old daughter have a cell phone was a sin.

I had a fellow ask me if having a girlfriend behind his wife's back was a sin..

His rebuttal "Solomon had concubines."

Later he again asked if his wife says it's OK for him, is it still a sin?

I could go on and on.

How long could I list the sins man want to get a special pass for?

Forever beloved.

As many people as have ever lived , that is the exact number of people who had to be convicted of sin.

Romans 3:
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.

22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Who has sinned according to God's Word?

Everyone.

Maybe you are thinking but "my sin" is not as bad as thier sin...

Lets look in the book of Isaiah chapter 59 and verse 2,
But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,
And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear you.

Did you catch that?

Does it say "Walts iniquities have made a separation between you and God?"

No beloved it says "Your iniquities " . We all have them. That is sin. Falling short.

It is knowing the will of God and not doing it.

If you don't know the will of God, you still have iniquities.

You very own conscious speaks to what is right and wrong.

You don't need the Bible to know hitting someone is a sin.

You can feel it.

You know it.

You can choose to ignore or suppress it, but with very few exceptions, when you do wrong, inside you know.

You might be thinking... I don't murder or steal..

I just drink a little to much wine, frequently....

No harm.

Don't forget James warns the Jews, specifically and all of us thru the scripture found in the 2nd chapter, 10th verse,

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

We can't be perfect until Glory, so with sin we all struggle.

Well we know all have sinned but we still don't know exactly what a sin is......

The Bible has lists and lists of "Thou shall and Thou shall not".

What it doesn't have is "smoking ci******es is a sin".

What words you won't find is "playing video games" is a sin.

You can't find anywhere in the Bible that listening to death metal music or gangster rap is a sin.

Sure you can apply lots of scripture to the circumstances and declare almost any human activity to sin.

Then you can say "the Bible says this is a sin or that is a sin", even though the words are not there.

Part of being a mature Christian is using decernment to know sin and repent of it.

The Holy Spirit promises to help..

Look here in John 16:8,

And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.

Do you see it?

"HE" will convict.

The Holy Spirit.

Not Walt. Not you. The Holy Spirit.

Who will the Holy Spirit convict?

The World. Yes. the world, not just believers.

The world.

It is not your job to convict anyone.

It is your job to be convicted.

It's not my job either, in fact we are warned about judging others and I listened.

As the saying goes "I understood the assignment ".

Matthew 7
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Do you understand the assignment?

So you don't think I am dancing around the question "is IT a sin"

Here is the answer I always give.

In the Bible God has made it clear what he has declared as sin.

When you read what a sin is, you can choose to accept or reject it.

Where God has spoken, I have nothing to add, or take away.

Where God has not spoken, where I am left with some ambiguity or lack the wisdom to know for certain, I use a fool proof test.

It never fails, it always applies and it instantly gives clarification.

Here is the only test you will need to know if "IT" is a sin.

But before I tell you, I want to ask you a question;

Do you know what God wants?

What has God always wanted?

This will shock some of you..

God wants what brings Him Glory and if it does what brings you Joy.

Again God wants what brings Him Glory, and you Joy.

In that order, without exception ever.

The only test we need to know if something is a sin is to ask "Does "it" bring glory to God?"

If the answer is no.... it's a sin plain and simple.

Now you might be thinking "what can bring glory to God?

Walt has lost his mind.... nearly everything is a sin..

No beloved.

It's the perfect test because it gives you freedom.

Knowing that something is a sin helps us to know to pray about it.

Knowing a sin starts the process of repentance.

Knowing what is not a sin, brings peace and adds to our joy.

Let me give you an example:

Eating to much sugar can be harmful to my health and maybe a sin.

However, I add a little to my tea during my morning prayer time.

It is glorious, what a gift of God.

I pray thanksgiving to God for it.

It brings God glory and it brings me joy.

Remember bringing me joy is not the primary goal, ever. Ever Ever. Ever.

Bringing Glory to God is always primary.

Same situation, I love chocolate... I mean love love chocolate..

If I eat so much that I become a diabetic, have I glorified God?

Nope so bringing me joy is irrelevant. .. it's a sin.

When you wonder is "it" a sin, ask God "does it bring you Glory?

Let's wrap this up with a summary,

Everyone is a sinner.

Everyone needs to be convicted of sin.

The Holy Spirit is responsible for convicting the world of sin, including non believers.

I am not to judge or I will be judged.

I can know if "It" is a sin by asking the question:
"Does "it" bring Glory to God ? "

If not, "IT" is a sin.

OK, so what if I am sinning?

First take a breath and remember sin does not unsave a believer.

You are saved by faith alone in Jesus as the crusified and risen Savior.

You did nothing to earn your salvation and you can do nothing to lose it.

Sin separates remember.

When we sin we lose fellowship.

If you are sinning, repent of it. Change your mind about it and restore fellowship.

Beloved, God loves us...

If I could convince you on one thing..

Just one, it would be that God loves us.

I pray you know it in your heart. God loves us.

https://youtu.be/u_ZWEO36jok

Speaking of prayer,

Bend your heart to the Lord with me.

Father God, Thank you for the Word and the clarity we can find in it. We know you cannot abide son and that you will never over look or allow sin to go unpunished. You are a just God and sin must be paid for. Thank you for your Son that died on the cross taking away the sin of the world. Help us to accept our salvation and the breaking of the bo***ge of sin that goes with it. Make us sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit that we may only do those things that bring you Glory, Lord. Place these Words deep in our hearts and on the surface of our lips.
In Jesus name we pray,

Amen.

Join us tomorrow morning for the Morning Boost and again tomorrow night to see what an incredible woman Ruth is.

Are you getting the morning boost email?

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www.giftinggodsword.com and do that now.

Don't forget

Love God and Love people.

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05/31/2025

"The unexamined life is not worth living.' - Socrates

💡 Interesting quiet time this morning, reflecting on the mystery that lies at the heart of it all.

"It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to seek things out." - Proverbs 25:2

What does it mean to seek things out? 🤔

Is it just about studying creation and scripture, or is there more?

I believe the greatest mystery, the greatest need of every person, is to uncover their identity.

Who am I? 🌟 What lies beneath the surface? 🌊

The Bible says you are clothed in His glory (Psalm 104:1-2) when you establish your identity in Christ.

You are the king seeking things out... seeking to understand who you are and what your purpose is
🔍 You're on a quest for self-discovery, and it's a journey worth taking.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb." - Psalm 139:13

As we seek out our identity and purpose, let's remember that it's not just about us - it's about who God is and what He's called us to.

Let's dive deeper into the mystery of our existence and uncover the truth about ourselves. 💡

There's a profound difference between believing in Christ and being found in Christ.

🙏 Demons believe in Christ's power and tremble (James 2:19), but being found in Christ is about being in a loving relationship with Him.

It's about being clothed in His righteousness, being adopted into His family, and being transformed by His love. 💕

It's your identity!

When we're found in Christ, we experience a deep sense of identity, purpose, and belonging. We're no longer just believers; we're beloved children of God. 🧡 Our identity is rooted in Christ, and our purpose is to reflect His glory and love to the world. 🌎



https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=kY7kkBhmx54&si=wOjGwEiM1uaue8zr

04/24/2025

What does it truly mean to be a Christian?

We may find ourselves wondering how someone can claim to follow Christ yet act in ways that seem contradictory to His teachings.

Perhaps we've encountered individuals who profess faith but display behaviors that leave us questioning their authenticity.

Or maybe we've struggled with doubts about our own salvation, unsure if our actions align with our beliefs.

These concerns aren't new; they've been debated and explored throughout Christian history.

The Bible itself warns us about the presence of false Christians, those who claim to follow Christ but don't truly know Him.
Jesus cautioned about wolves in sheep's clothing, emphasizing the importance of discerning genuine faith from superficial professions.

As we seek to understand what it means to be a Christian, we must also consider the Bible's guidance on identifying true followers of Christ.

In a world where faith is often reduced to mere profession, it's essential to examine the markers of genuine Christianity.

What does the Bible say about the characteristics of true believers?

How can we distinguish between those who genuinely follow Christ and those who merely claim to do so?

As we explore these questions, we'll delve into the Scriptures to uncover the answers and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Christian.

Many have claimed that the scariest verse in the New Testament is
"I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23, ESV)

It's definitely something to remember.

Beloved, this is a stark reminder that our professions of faith can be hollow if not accompanied by genuine obedience.

Jesus' words are a clarion call to authenticity, emphasizing that faith without action is mere pretense.

As Martin Luther so eloquently put it, "Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that a man would stake his life on it a thousand times."

But the question remains: how can we be certain our faith is genuine?

The answer lies in understanding the nature of faith itself.
Faith is not a blind leap into the unknown, but rather a response born out of relationship.

To have faith, we must have some knowledge, understanding, and interaction with the object of our faith – in this case, God.

This relationship is the foundation upon which our faith is built, and it's precisely this relationship that our actions and obedience demonstrate.

As we walk with God, our lives should reflect the transformation that occurs when we truly know Him.

The Bible provides a clear metric for assessing the authenticity of our faith: obedience.

In 1 John 2:3, we're told, "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments."

Beloved, our actions, then, become a litmus test for the genuineness of our faith.

Do we obey God's commands?

Do we strive to live according to His will?

These questions cut to the heart of our relationship with God, revealing whether our faith is a mere profession or a living, breathing reality that guides our lives.

This doesn't mean we're saved by works, but rather our faith is demonstrated through actions.

Read that again.

As John Calvin noted, "The whole sum of our salvation is found in Christ."

So, how can we demonstrate our faith?

We can bear good fruit, just like a tree that produces fruit in its season.

Jesus says, "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad" (Matthew 12:33, ESV).

Our actions reflect our heart.

Charles Spurgeon said, "A true Christian is like a tree that bears fruit in its season."

But what about when we struggle or fail?

That's where working out our salvation with fear and trembling comes in.
Philippians 2:12 says, "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

This means we don't have to be perfect but we must be intentional about our faith, seeking God's guidance and strength.

James teaches us that faith without works is dead.

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?" (James 2:14, ESV).

Our actions demonstrate our love for others and our obedience to God's commands.

Jesus warns against superficial faith and superficial actions.

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21, ESV).

We must be careful not to rely on empty professions.

So, how can we know if we're truly saved?

The Bible says, "We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death" (1 John 3:14, ESV).

Our love for others and obedience to God's commands demonstrate our salvation.

John Wesley said, "The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness."

As you reflect on your faith, ask yourself:
Are you bearing good fruit?
Are you demonstrating your faith with action?
Are you working out your salvation with fear and trembling?

May God guide you in your journey, and may your life reflect His love and grace.