Don't forget the baseballs.

I love to play baseball. I love both the challenge and the shear joy of playing. It seems no matter the outcome- win or loose- I can still walk away with a fulfilled feeling. As I was recently studying Bible faith, I thought about how ridiculous it would be to approach the start of a game only to discover that no one brought any baseballs! All the pregame prep, the strategy, the adrenaline and excitement, the fans, the anthem, and then...nothing. At that point, every bit of the prep becomes pointless.

Sound absurd? Yet time and again, we'll declare we have faith in what God's Word says but are without the most important element of the faith "game"...corresponding action! People should see our faith! Jesus saw faith in Luke 5:20. There were plenty of people sitting in front of Him as He spoke; in fact, the house was packed. But the actions of four men- their movement- caused them to stand out from the rest. Jesus recognized faith when He saw it! The defining difference in my faith should be my actions.

The Message Bible puts it this way, "Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything?  Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it?" It goes on to say, "Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?" It concludes chapter two of James by saying,"The very moment you separate body and spirit, you end up with a corpse. Separate faith and works and you get the same thing: a corpse."

As impossible as it would be to play a game of baseball without baseballs, so too, is the impossibility of having productive faith- faith that gets results- without actions that support that same faith. When we make a claim to believe God's Word, what plans do we have to demonstrate that belief? Can we demonstrate our faith without actions?

Breaking down the fence.

We all have comfort zones- those places of contentment where we're currently satisfied with the present. However, could these "zones" also be places we've completely surrounded with a fence of limitations. Too often, we settle for what is now. Do you have a longing to achieve more, to reach greater potential? Is there a fence that lies between you and a dream?

One of our more formidable "fences" we tolerate is fear. Fear paralyzes people from attaining their God-given dreams. As someone once said, "A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage." How often Jesus would say to those he was ministering to, "Fear not" or "Have no fear". He was well aware the impact fear had on the results.

Imagine how the dynamics could change if there was no such thing as fear- that is, unhealthy fear. Imagine living free of fear! We're not talking about a fear of rattlesnakes, heights or a high-voltage power source, but the opposite of faith. What kind of liberty would that bring to your life. Where would you venture to go? What would you venture to do?

Faith is going in the complete opposite direction of fear. Faith is a firm conviction- and expectation- in what is yet unseen. Fear is being motivated (or not) by what seems at the moment to be apparent. Like fear, faith is a powerful force; in fact, so powerful it can break down those fences we've allowed to encompass us. Faith in God's Word positions us to tap into God's ability, provision, and wisdom. No wonder Jesus said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God".

To attain to this kind of faith, we need to become acquainted with God and His Word. As we become keenly aware of what His Word declares we must purpose to walk it out. It's important to learn to do God's Word not just read it. Without taking action, faith is powerless. As we find ourselves stepping out, we can begin to move out past the fences that have been built up through the years.

Take courage today! Determine to know God and His Word and start the journey of tearing down some fences and living fear free!