"Remember Constantly" The Chew vol 24-125, a Quill Organic Ministry

Welcome to The Chew everyone, I’m Robert Wallace and we are digging into James 1:19-27 this week. Welcome to our third Chew on Journey of Obedience.
James 1:22-25, “22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it-not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it-they will be blessed in what they do.”
Remember Constantly God’s Word is tied to, intertwined with our first point to humbly receive &, tomorrow’s point, Obey Wholeheartedly.
First, in verse 22, not to “merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves.” I get the image of someone who’s not hearing the words being said, but is instead hears “blah, blah, blah” the whole time.
Second, James tells us to listen differently in verse 25, “But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it-not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it-they will be blessed in what they do.”
When we look intently at anything, everything else fades into the background. Become hyper focused on what God’s Word says. Being hyper focused to receive humbly the direction, guidance, and instruction of the Holy Spirit.
Our memory of God’s Word will improve with our intent attention to it. Memorizing verses will help remember. Digging into God’s Word is more a matter of taking little steps. Reading a devotional passage in the morning, asking Abba Father for wisdom, listening for the Holy Spirit’s nudges in our spirit and then, throughout the day as time allows; come back to the passage to re-read it and again ask for help to understand and grow in God’s grace.
This is a huge difference to “someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like,” in verses 23-24.
If we will do what is suggested as a daily discipline, we are doing exactly what Moses instructed Israel in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, known as the Shema. The prayer that Jews pray even today with the instructions to repeat God’s Word, to their children, to talk about God’s Word often throughout the day, when coming and going from the house and to bind God’s Word as a sign on their hand and a symbol on the forehead. Written on the door posts and on the gates.
These reminders are designed to help constantly remember God’s Word, His promises, and His Way for living; especially since we are on a journey to eternal life and we currently live in a foreign land. Remember, eternal life in the presence of our LORD & Savior is our home, we are missionaries here with God’s message of hope, joy, & peace that can only be found through our relationship with Jesus Christ.
God’s Word, His decrees, to us are more precious than gold, than “an abundance of pure gold,” Psalm 19:10.
The folly of the man looks at “his reflection in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he look like,” is a failure to humbly receive God’s Truth and be changed by His Word.
To really be changed by God’s Holy Scripture means that we intently read and listen to the Word of Truth. By intently reading & listening, we will remember constantly who we belong to and who we serve.
Am I like the person who only hears blah, blah, blah when hearing or reading God’s Word?
Am I willing to look intently at God’s Word to humbly receive and remember constantly?
Am I willing to return to God’s Word often every day seeking His Truth for my life?
Am I willing to “get rid of,” to cast off everything that will stand in the way of my ability to humbly receive?
Am I listening to the Holy Spirit right now, for today?
Am I choosing, Jesus’ Way that leads to a full life or am I choosing my own way?
Share in the comments or send me a private message or email me: [e-mail] I look forward to hearing from you. Have a prayer request, email me or share it here in the comments.
Do you want to know Jesus? All you need to do is:
Admit - Romans 3:23, "since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Believe - John 1:12, "But to all who receive Him, who believed in His name, he gave power to become children of God."
Confess - Romans 10:9-10, "because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you WILL be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved."
If you have decided to follow Jesus today, drop a comment and let us know or send me an email, my email address is [e-mail] I look forward to hearing from you!
Blessings to you!
Pastor Robert
Email: [e-mail]