GOD'S FORMULA FOR SUCCESS--PART 7
Scripture Reading--James 1:22-25
As you read this devotional, determine which words in the text
are the most important.
A family bought a major appliance they'd never had before. They desperately tried to figure out how to install it and to make it work. No matter what they did, they were unsuccessful. They called neighbors and friends, trying to get help. Nothing worked. Finally, someone asked them if they had read the instruction manual that had come with the appliance. Guess what? They hadn't even looked at it! They followed the directions. Before long, the appliance was properly installed and working great. Isn't human nature something? Our approach is often, "If all else fails, read the directions."
God's Word is our instruction manual for life. Within its pages is everything we need to know to be successful Christians. We spend so much time trying to figure life out and making it work, but nothing helps. We struggle along, making mistakes and getting discouraged, until we're ready to quit. Then somebody asks us, "Are you studying your Bible?" And our answer is, "No." Somehow we think we can pull life off on our own. Then, if all else fails, we might read the directions, God's Word.
In today's Scripture, James indicates that our problem isn't information. We know what the Bible says. Our problem is application; we just don't do what God tells us. He pictures God's Word as a mirror that shows us how we look from God's perspective ( vv. 22-25 ) and tells us what we need to do. If we're "doers of the word," God will bless us with success. But if we're "forgetful hearer[s]," we're only deceiving ourselves; and we will fail.
ACTION POINT: Has God been speaking to your heart about an area of truth? Have you failed to respond to Him in obedience? After today's lesson, what do you think you should do about your disobedience? Are you willing to obey God?
--Jack Palmer--
God's Word is our instruction manual for life. Within its pages is everything we need to know to be successful Christians. We spend so much time trying to figure life out and making it work, but nothing helps. We struggle along, making mistakes and getting discouraged, until we're ready to quit. Then somebody asks us, "Are you studying your Bible?" And our answer is, "No." Somehow we think we can pull life off on our own. Then, if all else fails, we might read the directions, God's Word.
In today's Scripture, James indicates that our problem isn't information. We know what the Bible says. Our problem is application; we just don't do what God tells us. He pictures God's Word as a mirror that shows us how we look from God's perspective ( vv. 22-25 ) and tells us what we need to do. If we're "doers of the word," God will bless us with success. But if we're "forgetful hearer[s]," we're only deceiving ourselves; and we will fail.
ACTION POINT: Has God been speaking to your heart about an area of truth? Have you failed to respond to Him in obedience? After today's lesson, what do you think you should do about your disobedience? Are you willing to obey God?
--Jack Palmer--
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