Point of View:
So I’m sure we all watch TV at least a couple times a week, right? In fact, statistics say that the average American is watching some kind of screen (computer, T.V., iPhone, etc.) for up to 28 hours a week! Sometimes watching our favorite show can make us laugh, brighten our mood, or even bring a tear to our eye. We like to see characters that are going through the same things that we are, and sometimes we even choose to act on our problems as they did. Certain TV shows however, even though you may think they are funny, are very inappropriate and offensive. Shows like Family Guy, The Simpsons and Tosh.0 seem to bash on Christianity and Christian individuals quite often. The media loves to bash Christians when they do something wrong, make living a holy lifestyle look like a joke and look unappealing, and bash the core beliefs that the Bible teaches. Notice that the media rarely uplifts anyone living for Christ, never shows Christians living out there faith, and rarely shows that being a Christian is tough. Media sells what is appealing to the majority of people, and since Christianity isn’t appealing to most, you see it bashed and not portrayed for what it really is. That’s why I think its real important to watch what you are viewing, because media can change how we feel. So…
The Challenge:
Watch what you’re watching! I want to challenge you to dig deeper into God’s Word and let the truths of the Bible change how you view the world and the people of it. Let us not conform to the patterns of this world, but focus our minds on Christ, and obey what he calls us to do. Don’t feel the need to watch what everybody else is watching, if you think that its not glorifying, turn it off! It’s better to be bored for a half hour than it is to watch things that don’t glorify God in that time. So, watch what you’re watching!
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for giving some of us the gift to act and perform. May we bring His name glory through it.
• Ask that God would open your eyes to the areas where He is not being glorified.
• Pray that you would realize the big affect that media has on us.
The Word:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Media Study - Music, July 26.2011
Point of View:
Music is such a powerful thing! It can make us happy, make us serious and even make us cry sometimes. It can get us dancing, get us singing and even get us thinking about and saying things we normally wouldn’t think. We open our minds to what’s pumping through our speakers and even start to memorize the lyrics of the song if it’s catchy. Catchy Choruses can even have us reciting these lyrics for weeks after hearing them. Its crazy! As I look back on some of the lyrics I have memorized, I am blown away by what I used to listen to. I used to listen to allot of different rap artist who where pretty vulgar, until a buddy of mine asked this question; “If you had the chance to glorify God, would you?” I said “Yah”, and then He said: “Well then why do you listen to all this un-glorifying music? You have the chance listen to music that does glorify God but your choosing not to!“ That was hard to hear as I realized I was using excuses like “Christian rap isn’t as good” instead of actually giving it a chance. Now I am reciting lyrics that bring glory to Gods name, instead of shame. So…
The Challenge:
If you have the chance to glorify God, would you? Don’t make excuses, “Just do it!”
Write down what your favorite 3 songs are. Look up the lyrics and read them all the way through, without the beat! The message that allot of artists are trying to put across is sometimes not as cute as it sounds to a beat and auto-tune. Feel free to join me this Thursday as we dig into TV, and the effect it has on us.
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for giving some of us the gift of being musicians.
• Ask that God would open your eyes to the areas where He is not being glorified.
• Pray that you would realize the big affect that media has on us.
The Word:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2
Music is such a powerful thing! It can make us happy, make us serious and even make us cry sometimes. It can get us dancing, get us singing and even get us thinking about and saying things we normally wouldn’t think. We open our minds to what’s pumping through our speakers and even start to memorize the lyrics of the song if it’s catchy. Catchy Choruses can even have us reciting these lyrics for weeks after hearing them. Its crazy! As I look back on some of the lyrics I have memorized, I am blown away by what I used to listen to. I used to listen to allot of different rap artist who where pretty vulgar, until a buddy of mine asked this question; “If you had the chance to glorify God, would you?” I said “Yah”, and then He said: “Well then why do you listen to all this un-glorifying music? You have the chance listen to music that does glorify God but your choosing not to!“ That was hard to hear as I realized I was using excuses like “Christian rap isn’t as good” instead of actually giving it a chance. Now I am reciting lyrics that bring glory to Gods name, instead of shame. So…
The Challenge:
If you have the chance to glorify God, would you? Don’t make excuses, “Just do it!”
Write down what your favorite 3 songs are. Look up the lyrics and read them all the way through, without the beat! The message that allot of artists are trying to put across is sometimes not as cute as it sounds to a beat and auto-tune. Feel free to join me this Thursday as we dig into TV, and the effect it has on us.
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for giving some of us the gift of being musicians.
• Ask that God would open your eyes to the areas where He is not being glorified.
• Pray that you would realize the big affect that media has on us.
The Word:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Peer Pressure pt.2 - July 21st, 2011
Point of View:
So a lot of us want to look cool in our friends’ eyes (important to the sports team and cute/good looking around that special someone, right?). I think this is because we are driven by acceptance. We often let others opinions impact our life in such a big way that some of us even dress, act and talk more like those people just so that we will have a group to fit in with. I find that a lot of us are always wondering about how we are being viewed or what others think about us, when really… NONE of that even matters! How your friends and peers view you doesn’t, and shouldn’t, change who you are as a person! If they think your cool, guess what? Your God’s workmanship! And if they think that you’re dumb, guess what? Your still Gods workmanship!! You see, if you have faith that Jesus took upon your sins, died for them and three days later rose again, you’re already a part of a big group/family. A group that is viewed not through mans eyes but God’s - and to Him we are viewed as perfect through Christ’s blood. God has already prepared good works for you to do here (According to Ephesians 2:10) so go forth and do them. Remember, that no matter what people think about you, YOU are Gods workmanship! Now that’s what’s up! So…
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to understand! Understand that we are new creations in Christ, no longer defined by the past, but made new through Jesus, our Savior and Lord. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” So… Walk in them.
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for sending His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. As through Him we are viewed (not made) as perfect.
• Ask that you would truly be able to understand that you are new creations through Christ, created to do good works, which God has already prepared.
• Pray that you wouldn’t be defined by what people say or think about you but by Jesus! Through Him all things are possible!
The Word:
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
- Ephesians 2:10
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
So this week, I want to dig into peer pressure. Sorry if this inconveniences you, but I just see a need to run this one again as I have been noticing allot of people giving in to peer pressure this summer, and I want to address this now. We will resume with the media study next Monday (the 25th). Thanks for understanding.
So a lot of us want to look cool in our friends’ eyes (important to the sports team and cute/good looking around that special someone, right?). I think this is because we are driven by acceptance. We often let others opinions impact our life in such a big way that some of us even dress, act and talk more like those people just so that we will have a group to fit in with. I find that a lot of us are always wondering about how we are being viewed or what others think about us, when really… NONE of that even matters! How your friends and peers view you doesn’t, and shouldn’t, change who you are as a person! If they think your cool, guess what? Your God’s workmanship! And if they think that you’re dumb, guess what? Your still Gods workmanship!! You see, if you have faith that Jesus took upon your sins, died for them and three days later rose again, you’re already a part of a big group/family. A group that is viewed not through mans eyes but God’s - and to Him we are viewed as perfect through Christ’s blood. God has already prepared good works for you to do here (According to Ephesians 2:10) so go forth and do them. Remember, that no matter what people think about you, YOU are Gods workmanship! Now that’s what’s up! So…
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to understand! Understand that we are new creations in Christ, no longer defined by the past, but made new through Jesus, our Savior and Lord. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” So… Walk in them.
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for sending His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. As through Him we are viewed (not made) as perfect.
• Ask that you would truly be able to understand that you are new creations through Christ, created to do good works, which God has already prepared.
• Pray that you wouldn’t be defined by what people say or think about you but by Jesus! Through Him all things are possible!
The Word:
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
- Ephesians 2:10
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
So this week, I want to dig into peer pressure. Sorry if this inconveniences you, but I just see a need to run this one again as I have been noticing allot of people giving in to peer pressure this summer, and I want to address this now. We will resume with the media study next Monday (the 25th). Thanks for understanding.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Peer Pressure pt.1 - July 19th, 2011
Point of View:
Lets face it, we have all tried to fit into some type of group or “clique” before. Maybe it was to get close with a group of people, look/act more like them or to simply appear popular. We have all done it, but why? I think it’s because we all desire to be accepted. We want to feel as though we are a part of something, whether that’s a sports team, joining a band/choir or just having a tight group of friends, we all want to fit in somewhere. So as we spend time with those people we will generally become more like them, right? I mean you might feel the need to talk how they talk, do what they do or wear what they wear. This could be a good thing or a bad thing. Realizing that we are going to be influenced by our friends, let’s not be influenced in a negative way. We have to realize that if we want to overcome peer pressure, we are going to have to learn to say no! It’s time to choose friends that influence you in a positive way rather than in a negative way. Remember, If you have to do things you don’t want to do in order to fit in, you are still not fitting in, you are just acting like someone they’d like. So…
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to stand strong and not conform to the ways of this world! How can you do that? Learn to say no! If your friends want you to do something that your not comfortable doing (gossiping, partying or pushing you to get physical with someone), just say no! You can even memorize Romans 12:2 and recite it if they ask you why you wont do something you are not comfortable with. Tuesday we will be talking about whose approval we should be seeking, so… Part 2 comes next week.
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for making you unique. We all have different skills, let’s use them to bring God glory.
• Ask for wisdom, as sometimes it’s hard to explain why we don’t want to do something, but hey, that’s what being a Christian is all about, “Swimming against the current”
• Pray that you would be surrounded with a crowd of encouraging friends that will ultimately glorify God.
The Word:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
- Romans 12:2
So this week, I want to dig into peer pressure. Sorry if this inconveniences you, but I just see a need to run this one again as I have been noticing allot of people giving in to peer pressure this summer, and I want to address this now. We will resume with the media study next Monday (the 25th). Thanks for understanding.
Lets face it, we have all tried to fit into some type of group or “clique” before. Maybe it was to get close with a group of people, look/act more like them or to simply appear popular. We have all done it, but why? I think it’s because we all desire to be accepted. We want to feel as though we are a part of something, whether that’s a sports team, joining a band/choir or just having a tight group of friends, we all want to fit in somewhere. So as we spend time with those people we will generally become more like them, right? I mean you might feel the need to talk how they talk, do what they do or wear what they wear. This could be a good thing or a bad thing. Realizing that we are going to be influenced by our friends, let’s not be influenced in a negative way. We have to realize that if we want to overcome peer pressure, we are going to have to learn to say no! It’s time to choose friends that influence you in a positive way rather than in a negative way. Remember, If you have to do things you don’t want to do in order to fit in, you are still not fitting in, you are just acting like someone they’d like. So…
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to stand strong and not conform to the ways of this world! How can you do that? Learn to say no! If your friends want you to do something that your not comfortable doing (gossiping, partying or pushing you to get physical with someone), just say no! You can even memorize Romans 12:2 and recite it if they ask you why you wont do something you are not comfortable with. Tuesday we will be talking about whose approval we should be seeking, so… Part 2 comes next week.
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for making you unique. We all have different skills, let’s use them to bring God glory.
• Ask for wisdom, as sometimes it’s hard to explain why we don’t want to do something, but hey, that’s what being a Christian is all about, “Swimming against the current”
• Pray that you would be surrounded with a crowd of encouraging friends that will ultimately glorify God.
The Word:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
- Romans 12:2
So this week, I want to dig into peer pressure. Sorry if this inconveniences you, but I just see a need to run this one again as I have been noticing allot of people giving in to peer pressure this summer, and I want to address this now. We will resume with the media study next Monday (the 25th). Thanks for understanding.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
“OHHHH… It’s Fun Getting in to Trouble” - July 14, 2011
Point of View:
So when I was young, I remember playing a board game called Trouble all the time. The commercial's theme song would always get stuck in my head and to this day I still remember that “Ohhhhh… its fun getting in to trouble” line. Laughing as I thought back on it, I realized that this simple jingle actually held some weight. Let me explain… the appeal of sin is often much greater than the appeal of living a holy lifestyle. Often TV and other forms of media paint this picture of how “it's fun getting in to trouble” and everything else is boring. I mean you see this idea played out in shows like The Simpsons all the time. You hear it in lyrics from artists like Biggie, Lady Gaga and so many more. I’m sure there are even times when you feel like you're missing out on something because everybody around you and those in media, act and talk in ways that make sin look like paradise. Realizing that, I want to dig into a mini study on what we let affect us, specifically media. So, over the next two weeks I want to take a look at how things like Music, TV, Videos and Friends all affect us. Media plays a big role in our lives, so let's take a look at what we are watching, listening to and feeling over the next couple devotionals.
The Challenge:
Write down what your favorite 3 songs are. Look up the lyrics and read them all the way through, without the beat! The message that allot of artists are trying to put across is sometimes not as cute as it sounds to a beat and auto-tune. If the topic of music is an interest of yours or you are suppressed at some of the lyrics you or your friends are listening too, join me next week as we cover the topic of music.
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for giving some of us the gift of being musicians.
• Ask that God would open your eyes to the areas where He is not being glorified.
• Pray that you would realize the big affect that media has on us.
The Word:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2
So when I was young, I remember playing a board game called Trouble all the time. The commercial's theme song would always get stuck in my head and to this day I still remember that “Ohhhhh… its fun getting in to trouble” line. Laughing as I thought back on it, I realized that this simple jingle actually held some weight. Let me explain… the appeal of sin is often much greater than the appeal of living a holy lifestyle. Often TV and other forms of media paint this picture of how “it's fun getting in to trouble” and everything else is boring. I mean you see this idea played out in shows like The Simpsons all the time. You hear it in lyrics from artists like Biggie, Lady Gaga and so many more. I’m sure there are even times when you feel like you're missing out on something because everybody around you and those in media, act and talk in ways that make sin look like paradise. Realizing that, I want to dig into a mini study on what we let affect us, specifically media. So, over the next two weeks I want to take a look at how things like Music, TV, Videos and Friends all affect us. Media plays a big role in our lives, so let's take a look at what we are watching, listening to and feeling over the next couple devotionals.
The Challenge:
Write down what your favorite 3 songs are. Look up the lyrics and read them all the way through, without the beat! The message that allot of artists are trying to put across is sometimes not as cute as it sounds to a beat and auto-tune. If the topic of music is an interest of yours or you are suppressed at some of the lyrics you or your friends are listening too, join me next week as we cover the topic of music.
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for giving some of us the gift of being musicians.
• Ask that God would open your eyes to the areas where He is not being glorified.
• Pray that you would realize the big affect that media has on us.
The Word:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
No Need to Quit… Submit - Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
Point of View:
Life is full of crazy ups and downs. Sometimes we will be faced with trials that seem overwhelming and you might feel as if you can’t go on, or that you don’t have the strength. Well good news, you can’t! Now you’re probably asking yourself, “I thought you said there was ‘good news?’” Well, there is. You can’t, but God can! There will be things in our lives that we don’t understand but God has a reason for everything. Remember, He will never leave us; He is always there.
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to submit to God and trust with ALL your heart! His plan is better than ours. If we do this, the Bible tells us that the Lord will make our paths straight. He is ready with the steamroller of life ready to make our crazy paths straight. The only question is, “Will you let Him?”
Prayer Points:
• Thank the Lord for always being there to “make our paths straight” when life’s full of twists and turn’s.
• Ask for strength. It’s easy to quit when things get tough, but we need to be strong and submit.
• Pray that you wont need to know why God is doing something but that your trust in Him will be what will be your comfort. He is always with us.
The Word:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” - Proverbs 3:5-6
Life is full of crazy ups and downs. Sometimes we will be faced with trials that seem overwhelming and you might feel as if you can’t go on, or that you don’t have the strength. Well good news, you can’t! Now you’re probably asking yourself, “I thought you said there was ‘good news?’” Well, there is. You can’t, but God can! There will be things in our lives that we don’t understand but God has a reason for everything. Remember, He will never leave us; He is always there.
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to submit to God and trust with ALL your heart! His plan is better than ours. If we do this, the Bible tells us that the Lord will make our paths straight. He is ready with the steamroller of life ready to make our crazy paths straight. The only question is, “Will you let Him?”
Prayer Points:
• Thank the Lord for always being there to “make our paths straight” when life’s full of twists and turn’s.
• Ask for strength. It’s easy to quit when things get tough, but we need to be strong and submit.
• Pray that you wont need to know why God is doing something but that your trust in Him will be what will be your comfort. He is always with us.
The Word:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” - Proverbs 3:5-6
Thursday, July 7, 2011
His Time or Yours - July 7, 2011
Point of View:
So now that summertime is here, I’m sure that we are all enjoying the late night hangouts, sleeping in, movies and the lack of schoolwork, right? If your summer is anything like mine has been so far, I am sure you have probably thought; “there’s so much to do yet so little time” at one point or another. That’s why I want to throw this friendly reminder your way. I want us to remember that through all the fun and excitement of summer, God still desires and deserves to be glorified. I think we often forget about this and use vacations and jobs as excuses for why we are “too busy” for church or ministry opportunities. For instance, it’s easy to go to church when you have nothing to do on a Sunday. But when you're down at the beach and Sunday roles around, more likely than not we don’t really feel like going or choose not to. That’s not cool! I think that once summer roles around our priorities get all out of whack and somehow we get very “me” centered when we should be God centered. Now don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with taking a vacation or chilling with friends, just remember that we should be “making the most of every opportunity” – Col. 4:5-6, so lets try to keep God an active center in our lives, even through the busy summer.
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to use some of your time off this summer to do something that will be glorifying to God. Maybe that’s going on a mission trip, sharing the Gospel with your friends or just catching the train into the city and feeding the hungry and homeless. Either way, get out there and glorify! Keep Jesus first no matter what your doing this summer and definitely don’t forget to glorify.
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for giving us the awesome weather of summer. Enjoy it.
• Ask for opportunity’s to serve. If we make ourselves willing, He will use us.
• Pray that you will be able to keep it holy.
The Word:
5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders (unsaved); make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. - Colossians 4:5-6
So now that summertime is here, I’m sure that we are all enjoying the late night hangouts, sleeping in, movies and the lack of schoolwork, right? If your summer is anything like mine has been so far, I am sure you have probably thought; “there’s so much to do yet so little time” at one point or another. That’s why I want to throw this friendly reminder your way. I want us to remember that through all the fun and excitement of summer, God still desires and deserves to be glorified. I think we often forget about this and use vacations and jobs as excuses for why we are “too busy” for church or ministry opportunities. For instance, it’s easy to go to church when you have nothing to do on a Sunday. But when you're down at the beach and Sunday roles around, more likely than not we don’t really feel like going or choose not to. That’s not cool! I think that once summer roles around our priorities get all out of whack and somehow we get very “me” centered when we should be God centered. Now don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with taking a vacation or chilling with friends, just remember that we should be “making the most of every opportunity” – Col. 4:5-6, so lets try to keep God an active center in our lives, even through the busy summer.
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to use some of your time off this summer to do something that will be glorifying to God. Maybe that’s going on a mission trip, sharing the Gospel with your friends or just catching the train into the city and feeding the hungry and homeless. Either way, get out there and glorify! Keep Jesus first no matter what your doing this summer and definitely don’t forget to glorify.
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for giving us the awesome weather of summer. Enjoy it.
• Ask for opportunity’s to serve. If we make ourselves willing, He will use us.
• Pray that you will be able to keep it holy.
The Word:
5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders (unsaved); make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. - Colossians 4:5-6
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The Change Challenge - May 12, 2011
Point of View:
Have you ever been at church (or camp or concert) and heard a great, challenging message that inspired you to change? I know I have. Here is a tougher question for you; have you ever heard a great, challenging message that encouraged you to change… and you ignored it and didn’t change? Maybe you felt inspired to change or quit doing something but after a couple hours or days of ignoring those feelings, you just forgot all about them and moved on. It is easy to do that if you have never read James 1: 22-25 before. Verse 22 says: “Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” This verse clearly states that we should not just be hearing the word but doing it! James even goes on to say that “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” You see, James is trying to make a strong point here. In today’s terms, I think that James is pretty much putting it this way: “Just as you don’t forget what you look like when you walk away from the mirror, don’t forget who you should be living for and how you should be living. Strive to be like Christ and do what the Bible says.” If you feel like you are tired of just looking in that mirror and then moving on with your life, or if you need the extra boost to make that next step take a look at the challenge below…
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to be doers of the word! Stop making excuses and walking away and ignoring the Word of God, embrace it! Don’t let anything stand in your way, do what the Word says!
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for the constant forgiveness that He shows us.
• Ask that you would be able to take a stand and be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer.
• Pray for those who sometimes don’t even want to hear the Word. May God work in there hearts and create a never-ending passion for the Word.
The Word:
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. - James 1: 22-25
Have you ever been at church (or camp or concert) and heard a great, challenging message that inspired you to change? I know I have. Here is a tougher question for you; have you ever heard a great, challenging message that encouraged you to change… and you ignored it and didn’t change? Maybe you felt inspired to change or quit doing something but after a couple hours or days of ignoring those feelings, you just forgot all about them and moved on. It is easy to do that if you have never read James 1: 22-25 before. Verse 22 says: “Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” This verse clearly states that we should not just be hearing the word but doing it! James even goes on to say that “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” You see, James is trying to make a strong point here. In today’s terms, I think that James is pretty much putting it this way: “Just as you don’t forget what you look like when you walk away from the mirror, don’t forget who you should be living for and how you should be living. Strive to be like Christ and do what the Bible says.” If you feel like you are tired of just looking in that mirror and then moving on with your life, or if you need the extra boost to make that next step take a look at the challenge below…
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to be doers of the word! Stop making excuses and walking away and ignoring the Word of God, embrace it! Don’t let anything stand in your way, do what the Word says!
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for the constant forgiveness that He shows us.
• Ask that you would be able to take a stand and be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer.
• Pray for those who sometimes don’t even want to hear the Word. May God work in there hearts and create a never-ending passion for the Word.
The Word:
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. - James 1: 22-25
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