“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:22-25

General Stonewall Jackson once faced a crucial valley campaign that had to be won if the South was to advance any further into Northern territory. The only thing standing in the way of his troops advancement was a river nearly seven feet deep and one hundred feet wide. Jackson commanded his engineers to devise a plan to build a bridge across the river. Then Jackson called his wagon master and told him it was vital that his troops get across the river as soon as possible. The wagon master began gathering logs, arranging workers, and building the expansive bridge. Soon the wagon master came back to Jackson and announced that the bridge was complete and the troops could cross. Stunned, General Jackson asked the man where the engineers were. “Oh,” he replied, “they’re still in their tent drawing up plans.”

This wagon master realized the importance of action. While there is a time for planning and preparation is necessary, the wagon master used his skills to get the job done while the engineers spent valuable time on drawing plans.

The Christian life is a battle. It’s not a slow river of peaceful tranquility that we all float down once we are saved, but it is a daily battle between our flesh and our spirit. In battle, it is vital to take action and be on the offensive. Imagine if General Jackson had spent days drawing plans and strategizing with his engineers. His troops may have never gotten across the river!

Even so, God’s Word shows us the importance of taking action in our Christian lives.– “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”– we’ve seen several commands and admonishments God has given us. But what good are those commands if we don’t follow them? What good is God’s warning if we do not heed it?

The Lord gives us a perfect example of the difference between hearing His Word and acting upon it: “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was” (vs. 23-24). What would you think if someone walked up to a mirror, saw their hair was out of place, then continued on their way? Something must be wrong! The same is true for us. God gives us commands, warns us of sin, and shows us our failures through His Word. It’s not good enough to simply see our shortcomings; we must also act upon them.

Has God pointed out some hidden sin in your life over the last few days? Perhaps He has shown you an area in which you need work. Don’t let those revelations go unheeded. Realizing your need without acting upon it leaves you in the same place you started.

Take time right now to read God’s Word— and ask God to reveal any sin or failure in your life. When God does reveal something to you, immediately repent of it and make things right. Don’t go about your Christian life with sin stained on your heart. –From Daily in the Word

“The Lord is my helper!“ Hebrews 13:6

Creatures sometimes would help us–but they cannot;
and sometimes they could help–but they will not.

Yet the Christian need not be discouraged; he has a Friend who can, and is always willing to help him: it is his God–his sure resource. He may be disappointed by others–but this is divinely appointed, in order to lead him to trust only in his God.

Beloved, our God Himself loves to help us. It is His delight to do us good. He is pleased to see us coming to Him for assistance, or for grace, or for His blessing; especially if we come in a filial spirit, as children to a Father.

Help is sure to be needed–for we have . . .
many difficulties to overcome,
many foes to conquer,
many trials to endure,
many duties to perform,
and many privileges to enjoy.
But not one of them can be attended to with success–without divine help.

We have to . . .
maintain our profession,
mortify sin,
cultivate holiness,
live above the world,
exercise our graces,
and labor for God–
but such is our ignorance, and such is our weakness–that unless we are assisted by divine wisdom and strengthened by divine power–we shall utterly fail in every point!

God is a powerful–an omnipotent helper; He has Heaven and earth at His command. It is nothing for Him to help. He can work deliverance by the weakest instruments; and often does, in order to confound the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

He is a wise and judicious helper, and affords His assistance in such a way as to . . .
hide pride from men;
exercise the graces of His people;
try the sincerity of those who profess to rely upon Him;
and keep His saints humble at His footstool.

He equally displays His grace, wisdom, and power in . . .
the help He affords,
the supplies He sends,
and the deliverances He works.

Believer, see what you have to expect! You will be tried. You will feel your own weakness. You will learn more and more–your need of divine help. Yes, you will be brought to see that only the Lord can afford you the help you need–that you need a helper, who is . . .
infinite in wisdom,
omnipotent in power, and
whose grace is immutable and free.

See to whom you are to look for help in every duty, trial or conflict–to the Lord, to the Lord always, for all that you need–and to Him alone. (James Smith, 1802-1862)

“The Lord is my helper!” Hebrews 13:6

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment.” Matthew 12:36

Looking back over my life I can think of many things I wish I had not done–but, as you know, we can’t change the past. What is done is done and we can’t undo it. Our words and deeds are irrevocable. However, these wise words from J. R. Miller helps us to know what to do when we can’t undo what we did:

We cannot recall any word we have spoken. It may be a false word or an unkind word—a word which will blast and burn! Instantly after it has been spoken—we may wish it back and may rush after it and try to stop it—but there is no power in the world that can unsay the hurtful word—or blot it out of our life!

It is just so with our acts. A moment after we have done a wicked thing, we may bitterly repent it. We may be willing to give all we have in the world to undo it, to make it as though it never had been. But in vain. A deed done takes its place in the universe as a fact—and never can be recalled.

We should be sure before we speak a word or do an act—that it is right, that we shall never desire to have it recalled—for when once we have opened our lips, or lifted our hand—there will be no unsaying or undoing possible.

Our words and deeds are irrevocable. We cannot recall anything we have done, neither can we change it. But by other words and deeds, we may in some measure modify the effect of that which we cannot blot out. Paul could not undo his persecutions of Christians—but by a life to devotion to Christ’s cause—he could in a sense make reparation for the terrible harm he had done.

Just so, we cannot undo the wrong things we have done—but we should strive to set in motion other influences which may at least compensate in some sense for the harm they have wrought. We cannot unsay the sharp word which wounds our friend’s heart—but we can by kindness and loyal devotion—yet bring good and blessing to his life.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”–Hebrews 12:2-3

As we go about our lives, sometimes we are easily worn down. Day after day can become monotonous and our lives can soon become dull. As a Christian we are to have vibrant, joyful lives, but it can be hard to maintain joy in the world in which we live! How can you come into each day with peace and joy? By daily renewing your life in Christ.

There are certain areas of our lives that we should renew every day. The first one is our focus. We can soon become distracted by all that this world offers. Whether it’s the media, sports, or even just work, our focus sometimes shifts. While none of these are necessarily bad, if we focus on these things more than we focus on Christ, they become a distraction in our lives. We must reset our focus on Christ each day.

We also need to renew our faith. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” We need to make sure that we trust God to get us through each day. Someone once said, “It doesn’t matter how great the pressure is. What really matters is where the pressure lies, whether it comes between me and God or whether it presses me nearer His heart.” The devil will try to pull you away from God by testing your faith in Him daily. We must begin each day with the realization that the devil is trying to distract our walk, and we must renew our strength and our faith in Christ by asking Him to help us see through the devil’s lies and by spending time in God’s Word.

We must also renew our fervency. Now you might say, “What is fervency? And why do I need that?” Webster defines fervency as “very hot, glowing” or “marked by great intensity or feeling.” Having fervency in the Christian life means having a great intensity in telling others of Christ. Do you see each person you meet as a potential convert, or do you hurry away from them? Do you take time to let others know what Christ has done for you, or would you rather not bother? Fervency entails your being so in love with God that you want everyone around you to meet Him and to experience the same kind of relationship with Him.

How are you doing today? Has your focus shifted to something other than God? Has your faith been tested recently? Is your fervency what it ought to be? It is so easy for us to lack in these areas! We must come to Christ each day with a prayer for renewal. What do you need to renew today? (From “Daily in the Word”)

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.” (Phil. 4:13)

Like you, I am never without difficulties and the constant need of God’s help. This verse puts a smile on my face, a spring in my step, joy in my soul, and peace in my heart. I send it with a prayer that it will brighten your day. Consider these words for the pen of William MacDonald:

It is easy to misunderstand a verse like this. We read it and immediately think of hundreds of things that we cannot do. In the physical realm, for instance, we think of some ridiculous stunt requiring superhuman power. Or we think of some great mental achievement that lies far beyond us. So the words become a torture to us instead of a comfort.

What the verse actually means, of course, is that the Lord will give us power to do anything He wants us to do. Within the circle of His will there are no impossibilities.

Peter knew this secret. He knew that, left to himself, he couldn’t walk on water. But He also knew that if the Lord told him to do it, then he could do it. As soon as Jesus said, “Come,” Peter got out of the boat and strode across the water to Him.

Ordinarily a mountain will not slide into the sea at my command. But if that mountain stands between me and the accomplishment of God’s will, then I can say “Be removed,” and it will.

What it boils down to is that “His commands are His enablements.” Therefore He will provide strength to bear any trial. He will enable me to resist every temptation and conquer every habit. He will strengthen me to have a clean thought life, to have pure motives, and to always do the thing that pleases His heart.

If I am not getting the strength to accomplish something, if I am threatened with physical, mental or emotional collapse, then I may well question if I have missed His will and am seeking my own desires. It is possible to do work for God that may not be the work of God. Such work does not carry the promise of His power.

So it is important to know that we are moving forward in the current of His plans. Then we can have the joyous confidence that His grace will sustain and empower us.