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James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. The Word of God is a surgical instrument that cuts thru all the baloney and reveals the true condition of our hearts...it never comes back void. If I'm witnessing to someone and they receive it gladly and accept God's free gift of eternal life, that reveals that their heart was tender and receptive to the Holy Spirit. If they get angry and defensive, that shows that their heart is hardened and prideful, making them unable to receive the free gift of eternal life...they have the mistaken idea that they can actually get to heaven by being good enough. Jesus, before going to the cross, sweat great drops of blood as He asked His Father if it were possible that the cup He was getting ready to bear could pass from Him. Now, do you think that a loving Father would allow His beloved Son to go thru that then tell us that there was a way of getting to heaven by us being good enough? That would be tantamount to child abuse. A good Father would never do that. Then, when presenting the gospel the other type of person I've run across is the atheist. The Word revealed their heart as ignorant and deceived. But what I've learned in my journey of witnessing is that people become atheists because God didn't answer a sincere prayer and they turned their back on Him. Or they are participating in a sin that they don't want to let go of. In both cases, the little "g" god of this world has them deceived into an "illusion" of control. It's ironic that if God decided to not let them breathe or not let their heart beat, they would not be long for this world. I rejoice when I come across the first person and become grieved to see the two latter persons. I can only imagine how Papa God feels knowing that He sacrificed it ALL so we could spend eternity in heaven, yet loves us so much that He will NEVER violate our free will. Yet Jesus tells us in a John 6 that no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him...we can't even get saved unless God calls us out of death to life with Him...another illusion of control. Papa God, I'm so grateful that You drew me to Yourself. You created me before the foundations of the earth and place me in my mother's womb and brought me forth on the day I was born. I don't know why You chose to draw me to Yourself, but I'm forever grateful You did. I can't wait to see you face to face and hear You say "well done".

So many times we think because we go to church,and listen to the pastor speak that we are good and that is all we need to do. But this scripture tells us, no, just hearing God's word is not all we are called to do. We are called to live God's word every day.

There are so many who attend church every week, where they hear the word of God but fail to apply it to their lives. This verse tells us what we need to do after we hear the truth. "Do what it says." God bless my brothers and sisters in Christ, here.

In my daily prayers I ask God to increase my desire to syudy His word and than to be obedient to that word.I know still that many times I am not obedient.Father forgive me and make me obedient. Jesus thank you for being so forgiving.

I don't always do what the word says. I know I am supposed to but sometimes I just do my own thing. Lord break my stubborn will and replace it with a will more obedient to yours.

I am thinking about how we buy computer software (e.g Excel) and we end up only "using" a fraction of its capability. Similarly we have the entire Bible and may even be on a reading plan to read the Word completely every year, but we may not become "doers" of the Word and miss out on the blessing promised and provided when we actually "do" what it says. (I confess Lord, I am often guilty ... forgive me and help me by your Spirit to trust You and obey You always.