GETTING MORE FROM YOUR BIBLE
A preacher and a soap salesman were walking down a city street. As they walked, they noticed how ill-mannered many people were. The soap salesman observed, "Preacher, your Bible must not be very effective; it sure hasn’t helped these folks.” Instead of replying, the wise preacher kept walking. Soon they saw several underprivileged children playing in an alley. They were all filthy, as though they hadn't bathed in weeks. Looking at the salesman, the preacher said, "That soap you sell must be worthless; look how dirty these children are." The soap salesman retorted, "But soap does no good unless it’s used!” “Good point." said the preacher. "So it is with the Bible; it does no good unless it is applied!"
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Although most of us readily agree with the preacher, applying God's word can be challenging. The Bible says, “...lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21). “Receive" means "to accept completely.” If we want to benefit from God’s word, we must sufficiently accept it so as to apply it in our daily lives.
James continues, “If anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does" (James 1:22b-25).
Although we may frequently glance into a mirror, doing so only benefits us when we look closely enough to detect issues and make corrections. It’s the same with God’s word. Sporadic glances do little good. We must make time to carefully read it, and consider our lives in light of it.
James 1:22 says, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." The Bible is more than a just book of information; it is God’s action plan for living. Imagine preparing for work or school, looking in a mirror and spotting a streak of grease on our face. Would we leave without first cleaning up? Reading our Bible without making needed corrections is even more foolish.
Would you like a receive a special blessing today? "He who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does" (James 1:25).
Jesus FIRST!
Dennis
A preacher and a soap salesman were walking down a city street. As they walked, they noticed how ill-mannered many people were. The soap salesman observed, "Preacher, your Bible must not be very effective; it sure hasn’t helped these folks.” Instead of replying, the wise preacher kept walking. Soon they saw several underprivileged children playing in an alley. They were all filthy, as though they hadn't bathed in weeks. Looking at the salesman, the preacher said, "That soap you sell must be worthless; look how dirty these children are." The soap salesman retorted, "But soap does no good unless it’s used!” “Good point." said the preacher. "So it is with the Bible; it does no good unless it is applied!"
********************************************************************
Although most of us readily agree with the preacher, applying God's word can be challenging. The Bible says, “...lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21). “Receive" means "to accept completely.” If we want to benefit from God’s word, we must sufficiently accept it so as to apply it in our daily lives.
James continues, “If anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does" (James 1:22b-25).
Although we may frequently glance into a mirror, doing so only benefits us when we look closely enough to detect issues and make corrections. It’s the same with God’s word. Sporadic glances do little good. We must make time to carefully read it, and consider our lives in light of it.
James 1:22 says, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." The Bible is more than a just book of information; it is God’s action plan for living. Imagine preparing for work or school, looking in a mirror and spotting a streak of grease on our face. Would we leave without first cleaning up? Reading our Bible without making needed corrections is even more foolish.
Would you like a receive a special blessing today? "He who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does" (James 1:25).
Jesus FIRST!
Dennis
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