My Top 60 CCM Songs and 12 " Albums " of 2018

Before I get started, I always add disclaimers;

   A. music is like pizza, everyone prefers a different style and can't figure out why others think theirs is better. These are my style and I can't understand why they wouldn't be yours.

   B. Christian radio ruins songs because it plays them until you are sick of them. Thus, if I have one on my list that made it to radio, it must be really good for me to still like it

   C. Where as most stations play adult contemporary, or worship, or CHR, or rock, it's hard to hear them all in one venue. My list will have all styles.

   D. Few on the list may have come out before 2018 but I just heard of them this year.  So lets go.

   E. Most songs are distinctly "Christian" meaning when you hear them you think, "That singer must be a Christian".

                                                          TOP 60 CCM Songs

60. All My Days - 3c live   (Based on Psalm 23:5,6)   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep8RfOFRi2I

59. Do it Again - River Valley Worship  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWaF11A9sIc

58. Another Chance(Rap version) - Joshua's Troop  (Kirk Franklin wannabe?)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3F18At_5IU

57. Eyes on You - 7eventh Time Down  (Troy Bolton in HSM 4?)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG83ED-hA_0

56.  Don't Let Me Go  - Ethan Luck  (OK I'm a sucker for OC Supertones)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKUdZvIXyMY

55.  Help Me - 7eventh Time Down   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwcbfJ-ojR8

54.  Find U  - Matthew Parker  (don't like the guitar solo)   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnF_t2RgH-0

53. All That I Need - Gateway Worship   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RbNiQ-jfBg

52. Three Birds in Babylon -  The Gray Havens  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1D05ZD71jI

51. As The World Shakes  - Hillsong Kids  (Yeah, I know, what do you do with an amazing kids album when compiling a year end list)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcAG4PbNXaA

50.  Eyes on You  - Mosaic MSC  (The music played in Bill & Ted's Future)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeKxYsBl-N8

49. You Never Change  - Inspiration Worship  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKrM3OKPClE

48. The Good Life - The Young Escape  (Fell in love with these kids when I saw them at Dollywood this summer)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5JkzYrDY04

47. Moonlight  - Chris August  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRZie77_N7g

46. Starts With Me  - TobyMac  (tough for white guys to do racial reconciliation songs but Toby keeps trying, give him props)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQaRiE7NSK0

45. Never Give Up  -  For King & Country  (or WHAM - take your pick)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMumPIdFcxU

44. Living With a Fire  - Jesus Culture  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DiSYCQ3wd4
       The cover is so cheesy that it is good. My favorite cover of the year


43. Joy -  Tori Harper   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_rC_qWlpjI

42.  Joy  -  For King and Country  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDQ1Asr1_kk

41.  Alive Again - Central Worship  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JejdyvdSa0s

40. How Could I be Silent  - Caitie Hurst  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E26Tbo221s

39.  Not Dead Yet  - Ledger   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyvFpD55c6c

38.  Heaven Reigns  - Inspiration Worship  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTs7bqRUjrw

37.  Hold On - Cameron Moore  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UxclLyt5Qg

36.  Weightless -  Hawk Nelson   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvddMr24jZY

35. There's A Light -  Ethan Luck  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h7umTzAly4

34. My Best Friend - Hillsong Kids  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fD4bCYalEc

33.  Endless - Remedy Drive  (one of my favorite lines of the year - "awesome is endless")  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3hs4iMthcQ

32.  Storm the Bastille -  Cameron Moore  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqNCYaeqNqs

31.  Amen - For King & Country  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jThYchneZvw

30.  Edge of My Seat  - TobyMac   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkG7P_a-a3s

29.  Forever  - The Gray Havens   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_elPc1mjzU

28. Open the Heavens  - Gateway Worship  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ImLBEy1OFI

27.  Easy -  Sara Reeves  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U4YAhSqklU

26.  Braver  - Matthew Parker  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PphwvQ4_6Bw

25.  Worthy  - Elevation Worship   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak5WTb-mgeA

24. Overcome It All  - Planetshakers  (I would pay just to see the band play the end of this song)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jUDjfvGtgM

23.  That's the Life -  Jordan Feliz  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxvIYKtwryM

22.  Stand Down  -  Ethan Luck  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xon7anmmHfk

21. Ask, Seek, Knock  - Hillsong Kids  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3vXskhI1ig

20.  Up Again  - Dan Bremnes  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_8DcQ0okpY

19.  Never Fade - The Young Escape  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsvMIpJfsxY

18.  Iconic  - Ledger  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcpAfOZlMnk

17.  Scepter and Crown  - Inspiration Worship  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd7-CPl318w

16.  Ascending  - Ty Brasel  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMjsOeB_qno

15. I Don't Want It  -  Love Collide  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVEBA0PK2eg

14.  Good Memories  - Matthew Parker   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toL2vY50Yes

13.  Lights  -  Caitie Hurst  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtPXFZA8IHM

12.  Brighter Than Apathy  -  Remedy Drive  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzBMfkSd6Ok

11.  Move Out Of My Way  -  Planetshakers  (Petra Praise flashbacks)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tohWtYovHI

10.  Powerful Lie - Inspiration Music  (produced by Ian Eskelin -awesome)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf9WCbo1fmo

9. Your Beauty Chases Me  - Chrisafari   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8oqR4FnehE

8.  Grow Up  - Christon Gray  (The maturing view of love. Nicely done)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JZVuXxROkY

7.  Changed  - Jordan Feliz    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGPMX4zU9jc

6.  Self Less - Josh Wilson  (where do you go after writing this song? He summarizes the whole Bible)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Us8NVQRB30

5.  Always Loved Me  - Iron Bell Worship  (hoped for more songs like this on the new album)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQxYcoAeT4Q

4. Everything  -  Toby Mac  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QurQEiOAQjA

3. Still Rolling Stones -  Lauren Daigle  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OieOPo8q7jE

2.. Break The Walls Down  -  Central Worship   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnDZOoISwy8

1. Sweet As Coca - Cola   -  Peabod  (OK, I know this is barely "Christian" by my definition but I never get tired of listening to it and it picks me up every time I hear it.  So go drink some Coca Cola with your pizza)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO9gKe0OUvo




                                        TOP 12  ALBUMS
1.

central live - worship

"Break the Walls Down"

2. 

Peabod

"Healthy Snacks"

3.

Inspiration Worship

"Powerful"

4.

                                                               Cameron Moore

                                                                "Alpen Glow"

                                                                      5.

                                         

                                                          Hillsong Kids

                                                    "Can You Believe It?"

                                                                  6.

For King And Country

"Burn The Ships"

7.

                                                                    TobyMac

                                                               "The Elements"

                                                                    8.

                   

                                                                 Remedy Drive

                                                              "The North Star"

                                                                    9.

                                                            Jordan Feliz

                                                             "Future"

                                                                  10.

11.

                                                              Matthew Parker

                                                               "Daydreamer"

                                                                       12.

   

Ethan Luck

"Let It Burn"

(worst album cover of the year)

Love to see your lists and comments. 2018 was a very good year for CCM

Thought For Christmas 2018

          We often ask our grandchildren, around this time of year, "Why do we give gifts?". I was pondering this and I would think the top three answers would be

      1. God gave His Son, Jesus, the greatest gift of all, and in like manner, we should give good gifts.

      2. The Wisemen came from afar bearing gifts so in like manner, we give gifts

      3. St. Nicholas gave gifts to poor children and like him, we too should give gifts.

  But do we ever think about what Jesus gave? At the risk of being sacreligious …

    For an object lesson, I put different items inside the stocking and pulled them out as we read Bible verses. Here are the gifts that Jesus gives us and in like manner, we too should give gifts.

1. Rest  -  Matt.11:28

2. Keys to the kingdom  - Matt. 16:19

3. His life as a ransom for ours - Matt. 20:28

4. The secret of the kingdom  -  Mark 4:11

5. Words and wisdom that adversaries can't resist - Luke 21:15

6. Light   -  John 1:9

7.  Grace   -   John 1:16,17

8.  Truth   -   John 1:16,17

9.  Living Water  - John 4:10

10.  Life  -  John 5:21

11.  Eternal Life  -  John 10:28

12.  Two tasks for us

      A. Love One another -  John 13:34

      B.  Testifying of the good news  John 20:24

13. Peace  -  John 14:27

14. The Word of God  -  John 17:14

15. Glory -  John 17:22

16. Victory - 1Cor. 15:57

17.  Blessing promised to Abraham  -  Gal. 3:14

18.   Strength - 1Tim 1:12

19.  Insight and understanding  - 2Tim.2:7, 1John 5:20

20. His Spirit  - 1 John 4:13

      What better reason to give gifts but 20 gifts that Christ gave us.  Thank you Jesus!!!

Thoughts From James - Day 8

You adulterous people,^[a] don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. ⁵ Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us^]? ⁶ But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”^]

⁷ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹ Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

¹¹ Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister^[d] or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. ¹² There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

¹³ Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. ¹⁷ If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

 James is trying to bring back those who have strayed from the truth and start living an erroneous lifestyle even though that person considers themselves to be  part of "the saved." He says that some self tests are
   1. How do you respond to trials in your life?
   2. How do you respond to temptation?
   3. How do you view God's word?
   4. Are you obeying God's word?
   5. How do you treat the poor?
   6. How have the things that come off your tongue, changed?
   7. Is your behavior determined by asking WWJD not self centered?

   This last question is how I would summarize the last passage we looked at in James. We discussed worldly wisdom which has "ME" at the center, versus Godly wisdom which has God at the center - I live to please God. This latest passage now expands on this thought - what does it look like to have God controlling your life rather than self? Previously we saw that it was shown by a good life with deeds done in humility. It is a peace loving lifestyle, submissive, full of mercy, good fruit, impartial, sincere, and it leaves wherever it goes, a better place.

     This passage tells us that it isn't double-minded; it isn't a life that one moment is in the world and  the next moment is "in the church".It is consistant. It is "all in". People know where you stand. It isn't a hypocritical life that desires to be in the world and gets as close to the world as it can. And the truth is that this hypocritical life is an affront to God. My wife loves "The Bachelor" and I personally don't like it. The reason is that these contestants go out on these exotic dates and make out with someone and pledge their affection, in some cases, and the next night they are doing the same thing with someone else. To me, this is disgusting and in the spiritual realm, God considers friendship with the world in the same way. Quit being double-minded. You are either in love with Him or in love with the World - you can't have both. Nor should you want both. The fact that we want both should cause us to weep, mourn , and  wail at our depravity. James is saying, if you are double-minded, God still has grace for you. Come humbly to him in sorrow of heart and He will forgive you and save you.

     Then in verse 11, James gets back to the tongue again, but rather than just saying we should control our tongue, James gets deeper into why we should control our tongue and it has to do with this subject of Godly wisdom. If our tongue isn't controlled by God, then we are Gods of our own lives. We have usurped the authority of God if we are slandering or sitting in judgement of people. Also, we are choosing to be God if we pick and choose which of His laws we are going to obey. Not only does the tongue slander and judge people but it reveals our heart that thinks we are kings or maters of our own lives. We say, tomorrow I'm going to do this or that, go here or there, make money and be successful, all the while God is saying, "You aren't God, you don't even know if there will be tomorrow."

     James ends by saying, "If you know these things, do them. Stop sitting in judgement of the law and picking and choosing what you want to follow - follow it all. If not, you are choosing to sin and that is not indicative of a true believer.

Thoughts From James - Day 7

                                          James 3:13-4:3

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.


        What is wisdom? Wisdom is being able to take knowledge or facts and assimilate that  information to make correct decisions. So in other words, like faith in chapter 2 that has to be seen in action, wisdom too implies action or deeds (vs 13). If you take information and do nothing with it, it stays in the realm of knowledge. If you take spiritual knowledge and do nothing with it, it might be considered as being religious but it certainly isn't faith. 

       Remember, James is all about a self test to see if you are a true believer or if you are being deceived or as vs. 14 would say, "living a lie against the Truth." Even the conclusion of James says

   " My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."  James 5:19,20

 James is trying to bring back those who have strayed from the truth and start living an erroneous lifestyle even though that person considers themselves to be "among you", or part of "the saved." He says that some self tests are
   1. How do you respond to trials in your life?
   2. How do you respond to temptation?
   3. How do you view God's word?
   4. Are you obeying God's word?
   5. How do you treat the poor?
   6. How have the things that come off your tongue, changed?

      This passage, I believe gives us a 7th test and that is - are you living a life led by Godly wisdom or worldly wisdom? What is Worldly wisdom? First of all we see that it comes from the 3 enemies of the believer as seen in verse 15 - the World, the flesh, and the devil. "The World" is Earthly or in other words, the here and now is all we have. The old beer commercial, "You only go around once in life, so reach for all the gusto you can" pretty much sums this up. As I have my 63rd birthday this week, I know someone will console me by saying, "Well, it beats the alternative." No it doesn't! That's earthly thinking. 

        And then there is living sensually or for the flesh or as 4:1 says, "your pleasures". If we are living to satisfy our cravings sexually, for food, for pleasure or comfort, that is not consistent with Godly wisdom. "Christians" addicted to pornography? What's that all about? Obese Christians? Christians owning multiple homes for vacationing or living for the next trip? I don't know about that.

     And then there is demonic or the Devil. What was his sin? Pride. Self. He said to Eve, "You can be like God" which was exactly his downfall. This kind of Worldly wisdom as opposed to Godly wisdom focuses on self and if you are living for yourself rather than God, you probably aren't a true believer. And what does that lead to in behavior ... selfish ambition, jealousy, disorder, hypocrisy, conflicts, quarrels, murder,  arrogance, and envy. The World today is so anti-God but don't they watch the news? Don't they see the carnage that James speaks of caused by a life of self? I'm always amazed at the darkness of futuristic shows.( outside of the Jetsons ) Why is that? I think it's because deep down writers know where a life lived for self without God is headed.

    So lastly, not focusing any more on the negatives, what should a true believer's life look like, or how does Godly wisdom manifest itself? First of all in gentleness or meekness. Meekness is totally contrary to what is manifested in worldly wisdom. Meekness says, "You first." "How can I help you get ahead?" The World sees that as weakness but we who have been adopted into God's family, know we have everything we have ever wanted. Why fight and quarrel over things down here when down here isn't what we are living for. Meekness is a willing submission. A forced submission is weakness and that isn't us, nor was it Moses (the meekest man on Earth), nor was it Jesus who could have called 10,000 angels yet submitted to a horrendous death on the cross for us.

       Secondly, Godly wisdom shows itself as good behavior. No matter how much unbelievers dislike us, they shouldn't be able to say anything about our behavior being bad. Why is that? Because Godly wisdom comes from above - "The Spirit of wisdom" Isa.11:2. The Holy Spirit is the tree living inside us (Prov.3:18) which produces from us peace, gentleness, reasonableness, mercy, good fruit, righteousness, and integrity or authenticity.

      Thirdly, it should produce a non-self-centered prayer life but rather one that seeks after God and intercedes for others. It asks for things but only for things that can bless others and bring honor to God.

      Lastly - it sows seeds (vs 18). It reproduces itself. Hopefully we make everywhere we go a better place and encourage others to do the same by our example. Also our words, like the parable of the sower and the seeds should spread the Word of God or the wisdom of God (Luke 11:49) to a world that desperately needs it.
   

Thoughts From James - Day 6

                                            James 3:1-12

3 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. ² For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. ³ Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. ⁴ Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. ⁵ Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of ^]nature; and it is set on fire by ^]hell. ⁷ For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. ⁸ But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the^]similitude of God. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. ¹¹ Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? ¹² Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.


               As I study James, I am coming away with a whole different take on it. This is a book meant for readers to look in the mirror and see if they truly are believers or if they have deceived themselves. Jesus, James half-brother certainly dealt with this issue a lot. He talked about those, on the last days would say" Lord, Lord …" and He would say "Depart from Me, I never knew you." Jesus talked about the 3 soils that seemed to "be saved" but only one was and continued with parables about wheat and tares and sheep and goats. He addressed the Jews "who believed in Him (John 8), not as children of God or Abraham but rather children of the Devil. James is writing this book in order to have people "examine themselves to see if they are in the faith" 2Cor. 13:5 and have already given 5 tests. 1. True believers endure through trials. 2. True believers choose God over a sinful lifestyle  3. True believers help the poor and all those who are in need 4. True believers don't show favoritism. 5. True believers control their tongue. In chapter 3, we could read it as an admonition to watch what we say and control our tongue - which it certainly is, but maybe the way James intends it, since he says that no one is able to tame the tongue, is to scrutinize yourself and say, "OK, since I became a believer on such and such a date, has my speech improved? Do I still lie, curse, gossip, quarrel, boast, slander, insult, flatter, complain, argue, blame, and grumble? Do I compliment, encourage, pray, recite scripture, witness, worship, praise, thank, and give Godly teaching, instruction, and counsel?" The Holy Spirit changes our tongue if He is inside of us and if it isn't happening we need to ask if we are truly saved.

        Not only is the tongue a messenger from the heart to reveal what is inside, James says the tongue can ruin our lives. Just this week we see Kevin Hart turning down the Oscar hosting because something he said has come back to haunt him. How many public figures have lost jobs or had their future hopes, dreams, aspirations destroyed by one loose slip. Isaiah felt unqualified for the job of prophet because of his tongue so God came with a coal, in a vision, and cauterized his mouth to give him a fresh start.

       Also, the tongue can ruin other's lives. The thoughts you have that condemn or discourage you are often voices from past teachers, coaches, parents, peers who have cut on you and they say it takes 99 positive words to overcome one negative. Personally, I feel that negative stick with you forever. In this passage, James talks about Bible teachers. How many Bible teachers are out there who are sending people to hell or at least building on undiscerning listener's foundation wood, hay, and stubble. Just this week someone posted an excerpt from a Joel Osteen message where he was saying that God wants everyone to have nice clothes, houses, etc.

         Lastly, the tongue, if controlled an change our lives. I like this quote from J.A.Motyer;
                 "If our tongue were so under control that it refused to formulate the words
                 of self-pity, the thoughts of anger and resentment, the images of lustfulness,
                 then these things are cut down before they have a chance to live. The 'master
                 switch' has deprived them of any power to 'switch on' that side of our life."
He finishes by saying "The control of the tongue is more than an evidence of spiritual maturity; it is the means to it."

       Tim Keller quotes a ministry that gives a 6 part tongue assignment. Try it for a week.
1. Do not complain or grumble
2. Don't boast about anything at all
3. Don't gossip or repeat bad information about someone else
4. Don't run someone down even a little bit
5. Don't defend or excuse yourself no matter what
6. Do always affirm other people.

        

Thoughts From James - Day 5

                                      James 2:14-26

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

²⁰ You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? ²¹ Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. ²³ And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. ²⁴ You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

²⁵ In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? ²⁶ As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

               Occasionally we will make a statement and it will be somewhat outlandish and we will be asked to justify that statement. What does that mean? It means to prove it is true, give some facts, or demonstrate it. If I told you a gender reveal party caused one of Arizona's largest fires in history, you might think that was somewhat hard to believe but I could justify it with video evidence.
https://youtu.be/vZYkVTzS5E4

       When we use the word justify in a spiritual sense, it can mean two things; it can be talking about being made clean or "just as if I'd never sinned" is how I learned it as a kid. In that sense it is totally unrelated to works. We are justified by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. But, in order for us to be justified, work had to be done. God sent His son Jesus who died on the cross. Jesus did all the work and you know what, in a sense He is still working. Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father and intercedes for us - He is our mediator. He is preparing a place for us also. And he lives inside us as the person of the Holy Spirit both to will and to do of His good pleasure. So in a sense you could say we are saved by works - but it's His work not ours.He is the author and finisher of our faith. We read in verse 26 "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." The Spirit in us saves us and brings us to life, and although we don't work to be justified, He works inside us and His works are what people see that justifies our salvation to them. Our outlandish statement that we have been born again, cleansed of sin, adopted into the Family of God, a new creation, etc. is justified by the Holy Spirit who is working to bear fruit through us.

       What is that fruit? First of all a changed tongue. James 1:26 says

"Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless."

Our words should be thought out, not impulsive and meant to heal and not destroy. They should speak of good things rather than evil. The first impression you make on people is through the words you speak. May they know something is different in us because of our tongue. Have you noticed what you say to be improving over the years?

        Secondly it is in our love. Once we cared only about ourselves, now we are outward focused. We help the poor without getting anything in return as evidenced by widows and orphans. We don't show favoritism thinking,"I'll treat this person special because it might come back to benefit me." Is your selflessness improving over the years?