Dangerous Words

But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.  James 1:22-25

I laughed out loud when I saw the above quote.  And immediately thought, "yes, that's me"!  But then, I was a bit more shaken by the idea.  Yes, that's me.  It is me when I know the scripture, and let it languish in my mind instead of living in my life.  It is me when I know the powerful words, but have lost my connection with the Master who gave them to me.  

The scripture is Holy.  The Word of God is full of power, full of answers, full of joy and peace and help for all manner of trouble.  It is full of commands for how we treat one another and how we behave ourselves.  And knowing the Word is really important.  It is where we must start.  When the kids began to take Karate, they were taught the name for their uniform, taught how to count to 10 in Japanese, the words for the moves.  And that is all well and good.

But counting to 10 in Japanese is pretty useless in a fight.  The scripture is meant to be alive in us, acted upon and lived out.  The word is to be done.  Rick Warren had a good idea about how.  When you have read your Bible for the day, don't leave the time of devotion until you have written out an action item.  What should that day's word make you DO?