Tag Archives: obedience

November 18
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“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27, NIV)

Today, the second of two thoughts on religion’s value.

The pollutants of the world are many: Greed, envy, a preference for form over substance, and self over others; pride, a contentious attitude, a peculiar type of laziness about spiritual things. . .

Religion that motivates its adherents to be mindful of the low and the powerless is acceptable to our heavenly Father. Does your religion motivate you in that particular way?

Religion that preserves its disciple in every conceivable posture of life, despite the world’s pervasive influences, pleases God. Does your religion also keep you in that way?  – Luther

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November 15
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“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (James 1:21, NIV)

We each have a finite capacity for things. If we fill our lives with good things (and by “thing,” I mean intangibles, rather than tangibles), it will displace the bad, evil, and destructive attitudes, thoughts, and motives that take root within us.

Embrace God’s word as you would a life ring in deep water far from land: It can save you. Cultivate the word of God planted within you, through humble acceptance (obedience): It can save you.

Humble acceptance (obedience) of God’s word leads to salvation, security, and peace.  – Luther

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November 14
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“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22, NIV)

Information. Inspiration. Perspiration.

Information is knowledge. God presents every person with the information that leads to life and peace.

Inspiration is the desire to act on that information. It is the bright light of revelation. It is the “I get it” moment. The devil attacks at the moment of inspiration to delay or to detour our engagement.  These sidetracks (often very rational, convenient, and well-reasoned) are effective because they keep us on the sidelines or altogether away from God’s work and, thereby, damping the ardor of the Spirit at work within us.

Perspiration is the work of taking information — fueled by inspiration — to reality. Information and inspiration without perspiration is akin to having a construction blueprint and all building materials at hand, but never breaking ground. Nothing of either temporal or eternal value is established or sustained without perspiration.

Get informed. Get motivated. Get to work.  – Luther

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