James H. Cagle shares with us: In
James 1:22-24, James makes an
analogy between a man looking
at his physical appearance in a mirror
and at his spiritual man in the Word.
James compares what we might do when we look in the mirror with what we might do when we look into the Word. Our attitude toward a mirror and our outward appearance should be similar to our attitude toward the Word and our inward state.
Here are some of those similarities.
1. We have full confidence in the mirror that judges our outward appearance. The mirror reveals our untidiness and uncleanness. This should be true in our relationship with the Word. The Word should judge our heart and behavior and point out any sin and uncleanness.
2. We believe and trust the mirror because we know it reflects perfectly the truth about our physical appearance and is incapable of lying. We keep using it, because we trust its uncompromising honesty.
In like manner we should also trust the Word. The Word is totally honest in all things. It reveals perfectly the state of our inner man and is incapable of lying. We don’t throw the mirror out for telling the ugly truth why throw the Bible out for telling the ugly truth?
3. The mirror is the changing point. We always look better after visiting the mirror. We go to the mirror very unkempt but leave the very opposite.
The Bible is the changing point as well. "I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments." (Ps. 119:59, 60)
This is change; repentance described. The response that the Bible evokes from us, and the influence it exerts over us is evidence that supports the claim that the Bible is the Word of God.
This is change; repentance described. The response that the Bible evokes from us, and the influence it exerts over us is evidence that supports the claim that the Bible is the Word of God.
The mirror plays a major role in our daily lives as its power is seen everywhere with every person we meet. Men and women have their hair neatly combed. Women have their makeup on properly, men have their ties on straight.
We also meet men and women who have looked into the Word of God and made the changes in their heart and life the Bible showed them they needed to make, for we see them walking in holiness and love.
We also meet men and women who have looked into the Word of God and made the changes in their heart and life the Bible showed them they needed to make, for we see them walking in holiness and love.
Looking in the mirror and the Word is not an end in itself. It is a means to an end, for there are no magic mirrors and there’s nothing magic about Christianity.
We must respond to the revelation they reveal of us. We must "trust and obey." We have to trust the mirror to tell us our hair needs combing but we must do the combing.
We look into the Word to see our sin and to see the changes we need to make to be more like Christ. But we must obey the Word and do what it says to actually experience those changes. We must be "doers of the Word and not hearers only."
(Google image and my emphasis added)
We must respond to the revelation they reveal of us. We must "trust and obey." We have to trust the mirror to tell us our hair needs combing but we must do the combing.
We look into the Word to see our sin and to see the changes we need to make to be more like Christ. But we must obey the Word and do what it says to actually experience those changes. We must be "doers of the Word and not hearers only."
(Google image and my emphasis added)
Reflections (Lessons from a mirror.)
By James H. Cagle
Just Chat With Him
"Though God forgives us our sins when we repent, we still have an accumulation of bad habits that need to be removed. God could use strong methods of chastising us.
Instead, He uses the gentle nudging of His Holy Spirit to convict us. He points out our faults through Scripture, through written material, and through people.
He then gives us His strength to overcome our weaknesses. Stripping us of our bad habits is a tedious job, too, but after God patiently works with us and changes us, others will see the progress He has made." Frances Gregory Pasch
~ It’s important we examine our hearts to understand WHY we do things, not just correct our behavior. Neil Vermillion
Answer: When we understand that God's in control, and He loves us unconditionally, we can be free from doubtful thoughts by confessing what His Word says about the situation.
Our special link today: What Your Body Does in a Day If you don't think you're a miracle, think again...
©Frances Gregory Pasch
You need not pray down on your knees,
It can be underneath the trees,
Or in the house, or in a bank,
On a grocery line, or filling your tank.
No formal words does God require
Just chat with Him—that’s His desire.
It can be in the day or night.
Any time will be all right.
What matters most is don’t forget
And get so busy that you let
Things block Him out of all you do,
For He would not do that to you.
He wants to be your closest friend.
On Him alone you can depend.
"Though God forgives us our sins when we repent, we still have an accumulation of bad habits that need to be removed. God could use strong methods of chastising us.Instead, He uses the gentle nudging of His Holy Spirit to convict us. He points out our faults through Scripture, through written material, and through people.
He then gives us His strength to overcome our weaknesses. Stripping us of our bad habits is a tedious job, too, but after God patiently works with us and changes us, others will see the progress He has made." Frances Gregory Pasch
Our thought today: There's a constant conversation in your mind. Confessing negatives is dishonoring the God Who made you, and Who governs all situations connected with you. Start to shift your thinking, inspite of how you feel, as "This is the day the Lord has made! Rejoice and be glad in it!"
Our question today: How does confessing the truth from God's Word make us free?
Answer: When we understand that God's in control, and He loves us unconditionally, we can be free from doubtful thoughts by confessing what His Word says about the situation.
Father, when I do feel impatient, irritable, bitter, forgetful, disorganized, and disconnected from You, may I pick up my Bible and get alone with You! Amen.
Today’s Bible verses: Ps. 139:14 "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well."
#21 The Prevailing Christ
March 1st- Tuesday’s post by Wesley L. Duewel
#22 Christ Prevailed on Earth
3rd- Thursday's post by Wesley L. Duewel
How Do You Pray for an Election?
5th- Saturday's post by Dave Butts
How Does Attending Church Effect
the Way You live?
6th- Sunday evening's post by Lee Forbes
#22 Christ Prevailed on Earth
3rd- Thursday's post by Wesley L. Duewel
How Do You Pray for an Election?
5th- Saturday's post by Dave Butts
How Does Attending Church Effect
the Way You live?
6th- Sunday evening's post by Lee Forbes
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| "Icing" on the day Feb. 23/16 |
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