Faith Without Action Is Dead…

…That is what James 2:17 says: “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

This must be the reason why that Nigerian woman I met at the store bought a pair of shoes she did not need and wrote out a check of hundred dollars.  But of course, she prayed while writing the check: “Oh, God, I don’t even have money in my account.  This check will not bounce in Jesus’ name.  I cover my account with the blood of Jesus.”
Sometimes, I think I have faith, but when I meet people like this woman, I conclude that their faith must be on some kind of steroids.  Standing next to them, my faith is but a mustard seed (maybe smaller) while theirs is a watermelon fruit.  Either that or my Naija folks have just taken that verse in the bible to a whole new level.  Yeap.  They’ve definitely taken it to a whole new level.  It’s only a typical Nigerian that will buy a pair unneeded shoes, write a check from a fallow account, pray against the unavoidable result, and then even plead the blood of Jesus on top of it.  Only a Nigerian.
But I have had my moments of having faith in God (and I continue to have faith in Him).  I woke up this morning thinking about all the times He has been there at the nick of time.  I remember when I applied to a four year college that was an hour away from me – even though I did not have a car, and therefore had no means of getting there.  Mom thought I was crazy.  But I just figured God would do it – like He always does.  That year, school started in January as usual.  By His grace, I bought the car on the 26th of December.
There isn’t anytime that I think God is unable to do it for me.  Sometimes, I just find myself wondering if He will.  Why should He?  I am but a sinner.  Everyday, I sin.  Everyday, I beg for forgiveness.  And everyday, I go back and sin again.  I wouldn’t do it if I were Him.  I wouldn’t hear my prayers if I were Him.  But I am not Him.  I should learn that.  Sometimes, I try to tell Him the best way to perform my miracle for me.  How can I, a mere mortal sinner tell God how to do His job?  Where was I when He was creating the entire world?  Where was I when He was creating me?  I did not tell Him how to make me, and look how I turned: a fine babe – if I do say so myself :-)
So here is to God… I’m looking forward to more miracles.  Awe-inspiring miracles.  Unfathomable miracles.  Breath-taking miracles.  Unbelieveable miracles.  Never before seen or heard miracles.  Divine miracles.  Huge miracles, the kind that will perplex me and leave me at a loss for words.  The type of miracles that will have me scratching my scalp and rumpling my forehead.  The kind of miracle that will have my jaw sitting in the palm of my hand, my mind thinking, ‘this can’t be real.’  You know what I mean, God.  This is a toast post to that order.  Amen.  And so shall it be.
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Comments

  1. Fatima says:

    Heylo Vera!

    Never been first here :)

  2. Fatima says:

    Faith is a very interesting thing. All the best :)

  3. RaNDoMer says:

    2ND!!! YAAAAAYYYY

  4. G-FUNC says:

    Is this for real or am I third?
    Vera preaches!
    this girl/woman is simply unpredictable

  5. bumight says:

    vera, i join my faith with yours, I’ve started seeing hints of the miracles, i need them to overtake and knock me over in Jesus name!

  6. Danny BaGucci says:

    Maybe sometimes, the faith is in opening your eyes to see the open door? Hmmm… Me sef need some kind big miracle now sef.. Like playing games on my laptop and still earning that distinction!!!

  7. OPTIMISTIC_alyzzz says:

    I’m looking forward to more miracles. Awe-inspiring miracles. Unfathomable miracles. Breath-taking miracles. Unbelieveable miracles. Never before seen or heard miracles. Divine miracles. Huge miracles, the kind that will perplex me and leave me at a loss for words. The type of miracles that will have me scratching my scalp and rumpling my forehead. The kind of miracle that will have my jaw sitting in the palm of my hand, my mind thinking, ‘this can’t be real.’

    Amen to this sis,
    i claim it also.cos he said our faith only has to be as small as a mustard seed.

  8. Anonymous says:

    amen 2 that!!! 4 me too

    but damn, dat woman…hahaha, i wonder how u meet and converse with random people doing/saying the most ridiculous

  9. Trybes says:

    A whole new spiritual level..May it be unto you as you have asked of the Lord…

  10. Anonymous says:

    amen to ur prayer!
    am actually hoping on God at the moment too and i belive he wud make it happen.. even though am a sinner just like eeveryoneelse!

  11. justdoyin says:

    Amen Vera, Amen! I receive it for you, and I also tap into this big-time miracle galore, in Jesus’ mighty name…

    Was that woman for real? abi u form that story? lol…

  12. THIRTY + says:

    @Danny, that kind of miracle is one kind.
    I pray God meets with you in a new way.

  13. Amen and amen to your prayer.. yes God is all that..

  14. amen ooooooooo,

  15. Omo Oba says:

    only a Nigerian o…we go too far sometimes but yes, our God is able!

  16. Sweetnothin' says:

    Amen Amen Amen…..

  17. scribble,me.free says:

    Amen oooo

  18. Tairebabs says:

    Amen o. God will continue to work miracles in all our lives.

  19. Temite says:

    amen.

  20. Nefertiti says:

    Amen o! I claim it for myself to o!

    I need to have more faith like these women mahn! Like “My heavenly father, I need to eat this iyan that is as big as my head, and obe ila asepo, and not gain weight. May holy ghost fire burn all the fat before my trip to vegas… in jesus name, amen”

    Sister Vera, it is well!

  21. chayoma says:

    Amen oh!
    i do believe we all need out-of-this-world miracles to keep our faith rooted…atleast i know i do.
    Everyday is a miracle on its own! Look around…
    But the Lord is faithful, and will surely come thru for us all,always. in our day to day lives…
    I claim it in Jesus name…
    And blogsville said…..
    Amen!

  22. Vera Ezimora says:

    Fatima: Oh, welcome then! I wish I had a special Verastic welcome. lol. And yes, indeed, faith is very interesting. Thanks for wishing me the best.

    Randomer: LOL. Congratulations ooo.

    G-FUNC: Hahahahaha. You’re hella funny! Of course, I preach! In fact, no try me o. LOL. Congrats on being 3rd

    Bumight: Amen ooo! That is how I feel too. I just want the miracle to knock me unconscious. And when I wake up, I’ll pass out again @ the thought of the miracle.

    Danny: LOL. I no know for this your own kin faith oo! LOL. So you want to play games and pass with a distinction. Well, good luck with that one. LOL

    Optimistic Alyzz: Thank you, my dear. I can only hope that my faith is the size of a mustard seed.

    Anonymous: You know, I don’t really know why i tend to be around these people, but I don’t mind. It gives me something to laugh (and write) about.

    Trybes: AMEN!!! Thank you. God has heard.

    Anonymous: I hope He does it for you. If we go by our sins, we will never, ever be good enough to have anything done for us by the Most High God.

    Just Doyin: The woman was for real oh. I most certainly didn’t form the story. She had a very serious look on her face too, so I’m pretty sure she was not tryna just amuse me. AMEN ooo! Thanks for accepting it 4 me.

    30+: LOL. Abi oh. Danny’s miracle sha… e get as the thing be. LOL. Thanks for the prayer, love.

    BSNC: Thank you. May God bless all the lips that are saying AMEN on my behalf.

    Jayla: Thanks!!! AMEN indeed.

    Omo Oba: Abi o. He’s abundantly able. Nigerian people are just too funny. I have never met a country with more sense of humor. Of course, I might be biased. :-)

    Sweet Nothing: Thank you. Amen oooo

    Scribble Me Free: Thank you, brother Scribble.

    TaireBabs: Amen!!! God will surely continue to do wonders in all our lives.

  23. Vera Ezimora says:

    Temite: Thank you, my dear! Considering the fact that you don’t believe in God sef, I really appreciate this your amen oo

    Neffie: Hahahahahahahahahahaha. Goodluck eating all that iyan ooo! My dear, if it works, please tell me. There is this ice cream cake @ ColdStone I have been eyeing. If your prayers works ehn, I’m going back there to eat the entire cake – all by myself.

    Chayoma: Yes, blogville definitely said AMEN!!! Thank you, sis. You’re right; everyday is indeed a miracle.

  24. SOLOMONSYDELLE says:

    Amen!

    Babe, have been trying to reach you on twitter but will send you an email. Abi, should I just call you sef…

  25. Tigeress says:

    Amen o! I pray will grant you all your heart desires in Jesus’ name!

    lol@ at the woman writing out a cheque.

  26. Repressed One says:

    Amin, Amin, Amin ni oruko Jesu!!! [in Jesus name].
    I join my faith with yours as i cover myself too.

  27. Buttercup says:

    Amen on ur behalf..and mine too :)

  28. Anonymous says:

    Sounds silly but i can identify with the story. Many years ago i visited Britain and spent all my money and knew i would have excess luggage on BA!I prayed for #200 quid which i never saw until day of my return journey.Went to BA at Victoria n was told i cant travel until i paid #250 quid.I had #2 pounds left and no one willing to help!Last train to Airport was anounced n i joined crying without checkin in!At the airport conveyor belt had broken down n i was geabbed by BA check in staff who stuck late check in on all my luggage n rushed me to Boarding gate .Was wonsering why i didnt get #200 quid from d man upstairs recently but the Spirit made me realize i received in kind for excess bagage charge.Faith is foolish but believe me ,it works!
    anon555

  29. archiwiz says:

    Mmmm… I’m glad that faith is very personal oh. Sometimes its hard to fathom, but if God says go, just do it believing that He knows how and why.

    Oh, and my blog address has changed. its now http://therealarchiwiz.blogspot.com/

  30. wordsmith says:

    Preach. i need a miracle ooo

  31. Good Naija Girl says:

    I’m adding my Amens to your ‘toast’, verakins. I am very weak when it comes to my faith but with bloggers like you testifying, I hope I will grow stronger.

    Have a great week!

  32. Vera Ezimora says:

    Solomon Sydelle: Thanks for saying amen, love. You’ve been tryna reach me via twitter ke? Nne, Twitter is the last way to reach me oh. I barely sign in, and I haven’t even completely figured out how to work it. I’ll check my email.

    Tigeress: Thank you, my dear. Yeah, the woman writing the check was funny.

    Repressed One: Awww. Thank you, my dear!!

    Buttercup: AMEN!!! But no dey steal my prayer o! LOL

    Anonymous 555: WOW! God surely does work in mysterious ways, doesn’t he? Oh, wow, that is really cool. God is simply amazing.

    Archiwiz: Yes, indeed. When God says go, we gotta go. Sometimes, it’s just difficult to go. You’ve changed your blog address? Okay, I go update

    Good Naija Girl: Oh, if I am able to lift your faith, then may God be praised!! I hope your faith is lifted. It’s a beautiful thing to be full of faith

  33. mypenmypaper says:

    one Amen for you and one for me.

    But hey, “The type of miracles that will have me scratching my scalp and rumpling my forehead. The kind of miracle that will have my jaw sitting in the palm of my hand”
    - that one na problem o,…

    anyway, how about the other part, no mention?, I mean: ACTION.

    p.s: you’ll make a good pastor with those lines.

  34. Purple Streak says:

    @ ur last paragraph: Ameeeeeeeeeeeeeeen!
    For me too o!

  35. Olufunke says:

    I join my faith with yours, and I say Amen for you!
    May you experience miracles
    God is still in the business of miracles!

  36. Beulah! says:

    So shall it be for you in Jesus name, amen!!..Only believe, if u believe, u will see!!

  37. That woman buying stuff with a check…that IS very unnessary…because you believe God can do miracles does not mean you should not be wise…lol.

    I toast along with you…cheers to an unshakable faith in God…:)

  38. Omotee! says:

    Very verastic Faith!

    I had that kind of faith today (was it faith?), i almost made me and boss miss our flight, boss got into a fit, he abused me from officce to airport, i was praying and scabbashing that we just meet the flight. time kept flying and we kept meeting stupid drivers and our driver refused to match on the damn pedal (so it seemed, he was doing 120).

    in short, we got tickets, checked in on time and we are there, hell or its equivalent was averted.

    i was hoping the weight of my sin wont fall the plane.

  39. amen ooo!
    lol @ the faith being on steroids…
    lol…vera the things u think of eh!

  40. “Sometimes, I try to tell Him the best way to perform my miracle for me.” I am so guilty of this.

    You had to be verastic with the last paragraph.

  41. Vera Ezimora says:

    My Pen My Paper: My, Pastor? Hehehehe. I no think say I dey good enough oh! But thanks anyway.

    Purple Streak: Look @ all of you trying to tap my miracles. Make una stop am ooo! :-)

    Olufunke: Oh, it’s such a joy to hear that God is still in the business of miracles. I’m eagerly awaiting mine.

    Buelah: Thank you, my dear. I believe ooo. I have no choice but to believe.

    Jaycee: LOL. My dear, the woman’s faith is on a different level like I said. I doubt if she equates her purchase to being unwise. And yes oh, we’re toasting to an unshakable faith in God.

    Omotee: LOL. Hahaha. I can only imagine what you were going through. Poor driver. 120 was not fast enough ehn? You for enter private jet na! LOL. When you’re in a hurry, everyone else always seems to be slow.

    Gee: LOL. But it’s true now! Her faith cannot be compared to mine. I have faith, but I wouldn’t dare write out (for shoes) when i know I don’t have money in my account. But thanks for saying Amen for me.

    O’Dee: It’s so unfortunate that we keep doing that (telling God how to perform our miracles). We can never, ever be smarter than Him, so why bother? As 4 the last paragraph, my dear, wetin pesin go do na? :-)

  42. CultureCynic says:

    Only Nigerians indeed…what has God got to do with a pair of shoes and a bank account wit insufficient funds?….testament to the arbitraryness of these verses…ppl see what they want to see and interpret it albeit convinently to match what their circumstance…who am i to tell them otherwise…

  43. JayDee says:

    Faith is definitely a powerful gift to have. Its necessary and key to survive in this world we living in. God is always faithful, when we least expect it and when we do not deserve it at all. I carry that faith with me each day, I think I know how much I have sometimes but really I do not until that trial comes my way. It is well Vera, as long as God is in control and continues to be the pillar that holds our lives…It is sure well indeed!

  44. bob-ij says:

    I think it all the time! How do things happen so perfectly?? I pray all the time that I learn to practice practice. I hope the jaw-dropping miracle happens!

    x!

  45. Miss FlyHigh - LondonsNaijaQueen says:

    I love your blog!!!! very blessed post and encouraging!

  46. tobenna says:

    Amen to you and your coming miracles.
    AMEN!

  47. Naija Babe says:

    Hear, Hear…Vera…I am planning for the day I will testify!

    http://www.lifelovefaith

  48. Vera Ezimora says:

    Culture Cynic: It’s a Naija thing. I mean, I know other people misinterpret the bible too, but Nigerians have a way of doing it.

    Jaydee: I agree with you. It IS well. As long as God dey for throne, we have no problem. And you’re right, God is soooo faithful, especially when we do NOT deserve it.

    Bob IJ: Amen! I’m looking forward to the jaw-dropping miracles. I’ll be happy to testify

    Miss Fly High: Awwww. Thanks, baby. Thank you so, so, so much! Your words are very encouraging; you have no idea.

    Tobenna: Thank you, nwa nne’m

    NaijaBabe: Abi oooo! You and I both, honey. I’m looking forward to the day too.

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