Devotional: Caught Up

The Book of Eli

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” James 1:22-24

A part from the movie “The Book of Eli” the character Eli says something to the effect that he was so caught up in reading and protecting the bible, that he forgot to do what it says. That line got me thinking. How many of us, read our bibles, go to church, go to bible study and more, but we get caught up in life’s situations that we forget to put into practice what God’s word teaches us?

Today, I want to encourage you to make God’s word alive in your life.  Let’s try a few on and see how they look and feel in our lives. What situation in your life can you apply the following verses? Next time you are upset with someone, before you react, respond with love in this. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” In Galatians 6:2 we are encouraged to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Maybe a friend needs a listening ear and prayer, someone to pray over them right now. How about buying a winter coat for a struggling co-worker, or bringing a bag of groceries to a neighbor in need? In Proverbs 3:5-8 God is reminding us that we need to trust in Him, do you trust God? “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

Let's Reflect: Acts 2: 42-47 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” To finish the verse highlighted in this devotional, James 1:25-27 “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does. If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

PRAYER:   Dear Lord, thank you for the truth and beauty of your word. I want to be humble, be a servant, listening to your word, help me follow your ways and your word and glorify You Lord Jesus. Amen.

Be Blessed…Be Bold in the name of Jesus!

Suzanne Williams