James 1:21-24

Good morning girls :)
It's a bright, sunny day here in New Ulm - I'm almost convinced by our weather this week that spring is here! It's been a busy week already, so it's been no secret that the struggle to keep this commitment a priority rears its ugly head for me at times! There are always ways to make time for God's word, and yet I find my sinful self "needing" to sometimes get other things done first. "I have to or it won't get done!"  Ugh.

NOTHING is more important than "accepting the word planted in [me], which can save [me]." But I can only do that if I am in the word daily, receiving it in humility and gentleness, because by myself, pride and self-interest would be the word of the day otherwise.
I NEED this.

Yesterday and today's readings really make me think honestly about things. When James tells us to "get rid of all moral filth and...evil" it is impossible to skim over what that actually means. All of us cling to certain filthiness that somehow makes us comfortable in our Old Life. The process of sanctification is more often than not uncomfortable and not what is natural for us. It makes me analyze in my own life where the filth is hiding, and what it particularly looks like. I'll be praying for God to open my eyes to this, because I'm certain I'm either blind or just positively ignorant to what needs OUT of my life as God's child.
In my commentary I read that the accepting of God's word must be a daily reoccurance, much like in Luther's Catechism we remember reading that our Old Man must be drowned by daily contrition and repentence. Praying for forgiveness each day and night is definitely a godly habit to employ that brings us closer to the Lord, but I believe it needs to go beyond just prayer. We need to hear back from the Lord, and this is done through reading his letters to us in that big, beautiful book we all own. :)
It's like verses 22-24 described: we are so prone to listening - or reading - the words, and then walking away and forgetting what we're supposed to DO.
We are so good at going to church and then Monday through Saturday living so...differently.
Hypocrites and deceivers is what we are sometimes, aren't we...

But by God's love and grace, with his strength, we can turn over a new leaf. Reading his Word with attentive ears and hearts, and by staying aware in ordinary circumstances of how God may be trying to speak to us (because he does!) - that, over time in our walks of faith, will strengthen our roots and make us into a healthy, mature, fruitful plant.

My heart is still full of whirling thoughts on these verses. I'm sorry for the sort of disorganized flow of my post! haha

I pray that all of you girls dig deep into your lives with brave honesty and let God show you what needs to be seen. And change what needs to be changed - so that we can "be doers, and not hearers only."
That is my prayer today!

Love in Him,
~Cait