At the end of my mini-update post yesterday I mentioned wanting to find something to focus on in personal study - I confess that this is an area that has been painfully lacking in the last few months...a time when I really need it to be consistent! Anyway, this morning I had a few minutes to sit and eat a waffle while Lily watched Little Einsteins before the morning rush of getting us both ready and out the door was to commence. I opened my Bible to James and began reading...and these passages jumped out at me (this is from the Message):
" 22-24Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.
25But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.
26-27Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world."
I felt a sense of the Lord saying, "this is the way, walk in it." Regardless of what topic or book of the Bible or whatever He leads me to, it will be pointless if I hear it and don't act on it. So I'm starting with this. Asking Him for an obedient heart...and that I won't be full of hot air just because I am familiar with scripture having been exposed to it my whole life. May I be quick to listen, thoughtful, and active in DOING what the Word says.
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