Worship

Scripture

I never used to like documentaries. It was always people talking about what had happened. They bore me to sleep every single time, which was not a hard task. Recently though, there has been a massive change in documentaries. Now they are popular. The reason is because they have learnt to focus not just on the talking, but on the actions. They recreate the events that happened in a vivid and engaging manner, making documentaries a lot more appealing. 

James tailors his message to the Christians. To us who are followers of Jesus, and he attempts to produce action rather than inaction. He doesn’t want them to just hear the message or talk about it, he wants them to act on it. There is clearly a group of people who merely enjoy listening. Sound familiar? They love the preacher, but not God. They listen to the message and then do nothing to adjust their attitude or to address their sin. That is what James condemns. Sitting at the pews but not being sent from the pews. James compares those who hear but don’t do to the one who looks at himself in the mirror and then forgets how she or he looks. Loving God is action. “If you love me, you will follow my commands.” 

The disciples that Jesus chose were doers doing something. When Jesus called them, they had to leave what they were doing. Left the fish, jumped from the boat to follow Jesus. To be a follower of Jesus is to be called to do something, to be someone. 

I want you to think back to the previous message you heard, or maybe yesterday’s devotional. Do you remember what it was about? Did you apply it to your life? Great if you did, but if you didn’t, now you have an opportunity. Don’t try to do everything all at once, but ask yourself based on this message: What is one thing I could do today? One action step to take to get closer to Jesus? People say the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. Just focus on getting 1% better today. What is going to be your next bite?

Prayer

HONOR GOD

Psalms 103:17 TPT

But Lord, your endless love stretches from one eternity to the other, unbroken and unrelenting toward those who fear you and those who bow facedown in awe before you. Your faithfulness to keep every gracious promise you’ve made passes from parents, to children, to grandchildren, and beyond.  

Thank you Lord for your love that has no end. You have been and always will be good to me!

ASK GOD 

Nehemiah 6:9 

But now, my God, strengthen my hands.  

Before taking another step in your situation, trying in your own strength, ask God for His strength to work through you.

SUBMIT TO GOD

Deuteronomy 20:4

For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.

We could choose to submit to our fears of the challenges ahead of us, Or we can choose to submit to the one who conquers all of our fears and not only that but grants us the victory that He won.