“Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22).

There is a big difference between listening to a sermon and obeying the Scriptures. Behind him the choir was singing a beautiful rendition of the precious hymn “Trust and Obey.” The pastor glanced out at the congregation, and there seated before him was the precious church family that he was privileged to pastor. Soon he would be preaching from James 1:22. As he listened to the choir, he thought back on a situation earlier in the week. He had specifically told his little girl, Jessica, to pick up her toys. A few minutes later he returned, and there she sat on her bed with her toys untouched. It was a special moment between a daddy and his little girl in learning the lesson of obedience. Just as the choir was finishing the beautiful song, Pastor Johnson whispered to the Lord, “Father, today may I obey your Word and be a doer. Let me learn from the lesson of my little Jessica. As for my church family, I can’t expect them to be a doer unless I am as well.” With that it was time to preach and to apply the Scriptures for the church family as well as for himself. We will be wise to be doers as well.

For today: A doer I shall be by the grace and help of the Lord. How about you?