i have been trying to read james every night and sometimes also during the day. i am not sure what i have been looking for but things are starting to stick out. i have been having trouble tyring to figure out how this applies to my own life but what i have come to think so far is..
james 1:22-25 is that has been sticking out to me most..
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But 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.
i have been doing exactly what it says not to. i have been listening for almost two years but doing nothing else just listening. i don't even think i have taken the time to really hear anything.. just been going along in my own little world. that is something that i need to change. people have tried to help me out to show me better options for my life to push me in the right direction. church is something i have been trying to avoid in any form and i can easily see that it could be because i do just want to listen and not act on anything if it's not something i want which lately i think that has been the case.
well yeah.. that is what i have gotten so far. i may be getting the totally wrong thing out of this and if that's the case i sure hope someone will re-direct me.
james 1:22-25 is that has been sticking out to me most..
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But 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.
i have been doing exactly what it says not to. i have been listening for almost two years but doing nothing else just listening. i don't even think i have taken the time to really hear anything.. just been going along in my own little world. that is something that i need to change. people have tried to help me out to show me better options for my life to push me in the right direction. church is something i have been trying to avoid in any form and i can easily see that it could be because i do just want to listen and not act on anything if it's not something i want which lately i think that has been the case.
well yeah.. that is what i have gotten so far. i may be getting the totally wrong thing out of this and if that's the case i sure hope someone will re-direct me.
have i ever told you that james is my favorite book of the bible? well it is. it's full of useful stuff and i think you are picking up what it's laying down. keep reading!! it'll start sinking in more and more. you're doing really good. keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteps don't delete this ;) it's good stuff
YES YES YES!
ReplyDelete7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:7-10.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely my favorite verses from there that have changed my life. Rose, I don't have all the answers for you, I wish I did! The reality of life is that Jesus is not just our savior from hell, but he is also the life-giver, the one who carries all the "stuff" that we are trying to shoulder ourselves. It is important that we listen, yes, but it is also important to act. Take the burden off your back and let Jesus carry it. Whatever the burden, take it off. Humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you up.
Thanks guys.
ReplyDeleteJake: thanks for that. i starting to realize what you said slowly (: james has been great and i'm still reading and trying to soak it all in. i am figuring out that i haven't really been acting on anything which i need to change and as for shouldering or carrying everything on my own that's just been who i am but i will get there :D