IN TOUCH DEVOTIONAL 15TH MARCH 2024 BY DR. CHARLES STANLEY, FRIDAY MESSAGE
In Touch Devotional 15th March 2024 TOPIC: Intentional Faith
READ: James 1:22-25
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;
for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.
But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
TODAY’S IN TOUCH DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE
James 1:22 says, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves.” This verse teaches us the importance of intentionality in our journey of faith. As Christians, we’re offered an abundance of information, such as sermons, books, podcasts, and conferences, to help us grow in our faith. Yet it’s in the doing—in other words, in our intentional response—that our faith truly comes alive.
Just as we might deliberately plant and nurture a seed to bear fruit, our faith requires purposeful action. Hearing the Word is the beginning, but living it out is the practice of our Christian walk. When we knowingly apply God’s truths to our life, we become a vessel of His love and grace to those around us. This involves asking ourselves how we can embody God’s Word through our actions. After all, it’s through demonstrations of thoughtfulness, forgiveness, and love that we bear witness to our faith.
So, as you go about your day, consider ways to purposefully live out your faith. Small acts of kindness, words of encouragement, and moments of prayer can have a profound impact. And the more such things become your goal, the more you’ll experience intimacy in your relationship with God.
Bible in One Year: Judges 7-9
Thought for Today: To find a deeper, more satisfying relationship with the Lord, be a doer of the Word.
Dr. Charles Stanley was the founder of In Touch Ministries and a New York Times best-selling author. Throughout his ministry, he demonstrated a keen awareness of people’s needs and provided Christ-centered biblically based principles for everyday life.