verseoftheday

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it - not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it - they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:25 NIV Welcome to 2019! For some this is day to resolve to make some changes or commitments. James is on to it! NY Resolution: Look intently into God's Word This intently means "to stoop to look" Often I just drive by a place. Look at that beautiful spot, let me Instagram it and move on. James says slow down. Stop. Stoop. Get closer. Look closely. Have a forage around, see what treasures you can unearth. Be purposeful. Look with intent for what God has to say about himself, about us, and how we should live Live it. Do what it says. Not giving up or backing down, not discouraged by stumbles or setbacks, or difficult terrain, but walking with God, trusting Him regardless of my circumstances. That's the path to freedom and blessing. That's the path I want to be on in...

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it - not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it - they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:25 NIV Interesting place to end 2018...at the end of the year we often look back at the good, the bad, the ugly. The things we got right, and maybe some things we wouldn't do the same way again! James says yes look back. But look back at what God has said, how He has revealed himself in his Word, and in the person of Jesus. And look forward and live out what God says. Choose. Choose to follow God's design for us to thrive and flourish. Here's a few things I look back on in 2018: Our God is good. He doesn't do things the way I want, when I want. He does use the things we go through for good if I let him His Big Story is a Love Story. His Word is a lamp and a light. If I want to see in the dark, walk the journey He has for me I need that. #theWordjustliveit #Godsgym #itsal...

Friday! Seems it got lost this week... A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17 NIV Solomon says its family that should be there when you're in trouble. But it just doesn't always work that way. Even our friends don't always know how to help, what to say, what not to say. Maybe this proverb is not for me to receive, but for me to action. To live out To be the friend that loves at all times. No matter what is going on in my friends life I won't turn away, won't walk away, but will step towards. When there's adversity I won't be selfish. The word for "brother" is "ach" and it means brother, but also relative, companion, countryman... just about anyone God has brought into your life... I need to be that friend who loves at all times. #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #theWordjustliveit #lovepeople #Godsgym

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. James 1:23-24 NASB For many people this is a time of year for a bit of introspection, thinking about the year that was, and what's ahead. James is encouraging us to live out God's Word. Whereever we find ourselves, whatever our circumstances. Its like looking at yourself. You don't forget who you are. The greek word here is "eimi" I am. We don't forget who we are. I am who I am in everything I do. And that's how James wants us to live out God's Word. It's not "hey just don't forget to live out what you've heard", the living out is inseparable from the hearing. #james #james1 #Godsgym #theWordjustliveit

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 NIV As the year winds down I think back to times in2018 when I haven't done what the Word says... I've listened, but how have I deceived myself?  "Go into the world..." That doesn't mean me. "Be kind." But you don't know my life "Make disciples" We have a pastor for that "Love one another" Really? "Bear One Another's burdens" Surely that's for those gifted or "called". "Blessed are the meek" Not in my world! James is just a blunt guy. Listen. Don't kid yourself that the Word is not for you. Jist live it. I wonder how different 2018 would've been if I'd just done that? #ouch #Godsgym #james #james1 #theWordjustliveit