Do I Know You?

I don't have a special devotional for you today because I believe this passage says it all.  No matter who we are, it's such a wonderful thing to abide by these words.  Not to mention, the Lord asks us to do so.  And I ask you, "Do I know you?"  And more importantly, "Do you really know yourself?"

My dearly loved brothers, understand this: everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not accomplish God's righteousness.  Therefore ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil excess, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you.  (It seems that a person who is easily angered actually needs saving; moral filth and evil excess.  Tough words to hear.)

Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror; for he looks at himself, goes away, and right away forgets what kind of man he was.  But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who acts- this person will be blessed in what he does.  (Sure we go to church, but do we apply what the preacher says on Mon-Sat?  If we think we're high and mighty, my guess is that we need to take some extra "mirror time.")

If anyone thinks he is religious, without controlling his tongue but deceiving his heart, his religion is useless.  Pure and undefiled religion before God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.  (So if you go to church every Sunday, but don't apply the teachings Mon-Sat, you might as well not even being going to church on Sundays. right idea? Don't let the world have its horrible effects on you, and care for those in need.  It's so simple.  And remember, the tongue is more powerful than any two-edged sword.  Ouch.)

James 1:19-27

-Tara K