Tag: perseverance

Faith or Works? Yes

On By Jodi DupreeIn PoetryLeave a comment

Oh faith,

Will you crumble when put to the test?

Will you run and hide when you’re not approved by the rest?

Or will you put into practice all you’ve been shown

Speak boldly, stand strong even when all alone?

Faith without works is dead

Works without faith is misled

Demonstrate your faith by your works instead.

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2:14-17

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Faith in Trials

On By Jodi DupreeIn PoetryLeave a comment

Can I believe what You say to me in the midst of my brokenness?

Will I believe Your promises when life feels like one big mess?

Can I trust your plans for me to fulfill a holy destiny

When trials get the best of me and everything looks different than it ought to be?

James: 1: 2-4, ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

My Pain

On By Jodi DupreeIn PoetryLeave a comment

It’s taken me captive 

Been ruthless and cold

Gripping my heart

Unwilling to let go

I’ve pressed on despite it

Used it to grow

Gotten used to its presence

And welcomed it home

It’s had purpose, made gains

Inspired me to change

Been my friend, left me slain

My daily reminder, my pain

2 Corinthians 12: 8-10

8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.