But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
James 1:22-25
Reflection
In this season, when all of the headlines, posts and memes seem to be focused on what is going on in our government nationally, I want to encourage us all to continue to stay focused on lifting up God’s Word and lighting up the world around us – especially among our family, friends, and in our circles of influence.
We need to continually go back to the Word of God to remind us of Who God is – is He truly God Almighty? Is He truly in control of what is going on around us? Is He truly the one establishing the authorities that exist? His Word says that He is! The question is this … will we believe and act on this truth … or will we be drawn into the theories and fears being flung far and wide in the headlines, posts and memes? We have a choice in how we respond to the world and the events around us.
The president of the National Day of Prayer, Kathy Branzell, often encourages us that if we ‘have time to complain about it, we have time to pray about it!’ We can build on that and also say, ‘if we have time to fret about it, we have time to pray about it!’
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the One according to Ephesians 3:20, Who “is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all we ask or think.” He was able then, and He’s able now! As we look at the headlines, posts, memes – let’s stop and make them prayer points, asking Him to take ‘whoever’ and ‘whatever’ and fulfill His will ‘on earth as it is in heaven.’ Let’s encourage others and point them to the Word of God to do the same!
Imagine the change in the atmosphere of our communities and nation if we simply but powerfully live out the refrain of the old hymn and ‘take it to the Lord in prayer’! In fact, that is a great place to begin … pray the Living and Powerful Word of God with me:
Will you please join me in prayer?
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. In Jesus name we pray, amen!
Rejoicing in Hope,
Dion Elmore
Vice President
