Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Blessing – James 1:22-25 – Looks Intently – Growing As Disciples
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. 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. James 1:22-25 (NIV)
Into Practice
What do you think will happen to you if you continue to look intently into my word? That is a very good question. I know that if I continue to look intently into your word I will be changed by it. How so? Your word will change my heart. Your word will transform my mind. Your word will guide my life. You will use your word to mold and shape my life. You will use your word to make me into the person that you have called me to be. That’s right. So, it is not a waste of time of your time to continue to look intently into my word. There is nothing that I consider to be of higher value than to meet with you in your word. That’s an interesting way that you said that. You are not merely studying my word? No, certainly not. You are meeting with me in my word. Yes, that’s right. You are meditating on my word. You are praying my word. You are letting my word dwell in you richly. Yes, I am.
You know that my Holy Spirit will take my word and apply it right to your life, right now. Yes, that’s exactly what I am counting on. I know that your word is like a sword in the Holy Spirit’s hand. He will use your word to fight in me, with me, and for me. What do you mean by that? Well, putting your word into practice will set me free. The world and all its principles, values and practices will lose their grip on me as I take hold of your word. Your word will strengthen me and make me able to stand against temptation. Just as your word fought for you against the devil and all his evil so also will it fight for me. Yes, it will.
How has my word blessed your life? Your word has changed my thoughts, words, and deeds. Your word has changed the desires of my heart and the goals of my life. Your word has given me hope and meaning and purpose in life. How so? Now, I want to live my life fully for you. Now, I want to go and do what is pleasing to you. Now, I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Now, I am looking forward to a future and far better day when I will come to live forever in heaven with you. In the meantime, I will continue to put your word into practice with all the strength that you will give to me. That is very good.
Lord, I have no desire to merely listen to your word. Every day I will look intently into your word. Show me what you want me to see and know. Help me go and do all that you are teaching me. Set me free and bless my life by your word as I put it into practice. Amen
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Blessing – James 1-22-25 – Into Practice – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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