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Listen while you read: "Open My Eyes That I May See"1 (Lyrics) |
James 1:23-24 – 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. (NIV)
For many years, I have taken a prescription drug for a minor health problem. As long as I follow the instructions on the label, reading and doing what it says, the medication keeps me active and healthy.
Likewise as Christians, in regards to a healthy and active life of righteousness, James makes it very clear that it does us no good to simply listen to God's Word and not apply it to our lives. Just as my prescription drug would do me no good if I read the label but did not do what it said, Scripture cannot do its job in our lives if we fail to ingest it.
James 1:25 – 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. (NIV)
So today, as each of us is taking this moment to read or listen to the Word, let us also be prepared to do what it says. After all, it is the Great Physician Himself who has written the prescription for the well-being of all mankind — past, present, and future — that none should perish but have eternal life.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the wonderful words of life found in Scripture, which are able to bring about eternal wellness for all those who take the time to read, listen, and apply them to their hearts by faith. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
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Straight to the point. God bless.
Great devotional again, Lynne. Thank you.
Dear Lynne;
Thank you for the reminder! Faith without works is dead.
Thanks for the prescription Lynne – it’s the perfect remedy for our spiritual health.
Keep writing!
Blessings.
Thanks, Lynne for this message. Love your example with medication, and it rang a bell for me. I have a number of folk who I send our messages on to, and I’m sure this will be an impact full one for them.
Keep writing!
Dear Lynne!
Thank you for prescribing the difference between reading and doing – application from one to another. God bless even a little doing to eternal blessing.
God measure a huge blessing to you!
Hello Lynne,
I just like your practicality when it comes to applying the word to our daily lives.
Keep it up!
A charge to keep, we all have and a God to glorify in our lives each day of our lives with His word.
Stay Blessed.
I just wanted to say a heartfelt “Thank you” for today’s devotional. I have been reading the Bible for over 60 years, and James is my favorite N.T. book, but that bit about “like a man who looks in a mirror” etc., has always escaped my understanding. But comparison to the prescription directions – now that I can relate to! I also take a small pill every day that keeps me going, and I’m faithful with it because I’ve seen firsthand what results if a person does not do so. So – thank you for clarifying a formerly dim Bible passage for me.
Have a blessed day, and again, thank you.
Dear Lynne,
Thank you for a scriptural, precious, and practical messaage. I especially appreciated its core:
… it is the Great Physician Himself who has written the prescription for the well-being of all mankind – past, present, and future – that none should perish but have eternal life.
This reminds me of John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (NIV).
Keep writing.
Good Afternoon Lynne:
A beautiful devotional. Many, many, many times I have referred to our Saviour as the Great Physician. Not only can He wash away our sins and make us as white as snow because of His sacrifice on Calvary, but He can also heal our wounds and restore us to health when we fully trust in His loving care and the intelligence of those He has blessed with the ability to become physicians. As you so ably stated He is indeed the Great Physician who has written the prescription for the well-being of all.
Another great, great message.