TODAY IS…

a good day to look closely at the face in the mirror.

“You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.”  James 1:24 NLT

The Word of God contains powerful messages that we must learn in order to live our lives on earth in a manner that demonstrates our understanding of exactly what it is that we are looking at.

When James was speaking to Jewish Christians residing outside Palestine, he exhorted those who were listening to demonstrate that they were paying attention to God’s Word by obeying. Merely going through the motions of reading the Bible or listening to a sermon in church is of no value if we are just doing it out of habit or obligation. James told his listeners that there was action required.

“For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.” (James 1:23-24 NLT).

We should probably all take a look at how and when we study the Bible, pray, meditate, and read daily devotionals. Are we focused on what we are doing? Are we intent on using the time to feel God’s presence and ‘hear’ God’s voice? Do we pause and reflect on what we are reading and look for ways to apply what we are reading to today? Do we take time in the morning to ask God how we may be of service to Him today? Do we turn off the radio and television and seek the things that we will need to make this day a significant one for God?

Serving God requires constant, purposeful, focused attention.

Not only is it important that we set aside time just for God every day, we must take a moment several times throughout the day to thank Him or ask for His continued guidance.

Each and every day of our lives is a wonderful gift from God.

Using each day with God’s purpose in mind is pleasing to Him. Applying what we learn through reading the Bible and by listening for His ‘voice’ will show the Lord that we are not just giving a glancing look at what we see.

We will show that we are looking closely and we will work on what we see until we can also see what we have learned looking back at us.

*******

Taken from “TODAY IS….A Gift From God”, (C) 2013 Tony Casson