Daily Devotional: Doers Of The Word

Hey awesome people! Welcome back! Today, we’re diving into our daily devotional with a quick burst of inspiration to light up your day. If you have some time, read James 1:19-27 in your preferred Bible version, then return to this page.

If you're short on time, read the following and focus on what stands out to you:

You must act on the word, not just hear it and deceive yourself. Those who listen but don’t put the word into action are like people who look at their reflection in a mirror. They see themselves, walk away, and immediately forget their appearance. In contrast, those who carefully examine and follow the perfect law—the law of liberty—are not just listeners who forget; they practice it. They will be blessed in what they do. If someone claims to be devoted to God but doesn’t control their speech, their devotion is meaningless. Genuine devotion, pure and undefiled before God the Father, involves caring for orphans and widows in their distress and keeping oneself unstained by the world.

I recall a friend who was raised in a church that heavily emphasized reading and memorizing the Bible. He spent a significant amount of time listening to sermons, attending talks, and participating in devotionals. The church placed a strong focus on acquiring knowledge through various speakers, teachers, and preachers. When it came to “living out” his faith, it often meant dedicating more time to studying and learning. They were also encouraged to control their tempers and avoid swearing, but the primary focus remained on the learning process itself.

However, James challenges this by emphasising that true devotion is about caring for orphans and widows. It’s not merely about regulating our behaviour but actively practicing what we learn. True devotion involves caring for the most vulnerable members of society. This is how we demonstrate our faith and avoid being tainted by the world’s values.

Contamination doesn’t come from watching inappropriate scenes or using bad language but from neglecting the needs of orphans and widows. It’s about focusing on church growth in terms of actual impact on the community—beyond mere attendance numbers—to addressing real, physical needs.

If your faith isn’t reflected in practical actions, then what value does it have?

Reflection Questions:

What does it mean to be a “doer of the word”?

How would your faith manifest if you put it into practice?

Where are the areas in your life where your beliefs and actions are not aligned?

Practical Exercises:
Identify one action you can take this week to actively apply your faith.
Find a local organisation that supports children or the elderly and explore ways to get involved.
Take steps to align your beliefs with your actions in an area where they are currently disconnected.

That concludes today's devotional! I hope this message has brightened your day. If it resonated with you, please support us by liking this video and subscribing for more uplifting content. Thank you for joining us today, and remember to embrace your unique self! Stay healthy and keep a positive mindset until we meet again!

Footnotes:

Source: Kearns, S., & Murphy, B. (2020). "Queers the Word" - (Adapted for reflection of Hearing and Doing the Word). Scripture: James 1:19-27

Image Title: "Glimmers of Truth" Source: Midjourney’s image generation model.

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