This Hit Me Today: Don’t Just Listen—Live It
This morning, during my devotion, I landed on a passage that made me read and reread:
“But become 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.”- James 1:22–23, LSB
I’ve read this before, maybe a hundred times. Quoted it. Even preached it. But today, it hit differently.
I sat there with my Bible open and my coffee getting cold, and the Holy Spirit whispered, “You’re good at listening—but are you doing what I’m saying?”
That stung a bit.
As a pastor, I spend a lot of time in the Word—studying, preparing, teaching. But James reminds us that proximity to Scripture doesn’t equal obedience. It’s easy to feel spiritual because we’re around the Bible a lot, but being near the Word isn’t the same as being transformed by it.
The Mirror Test
James gives us a picture that couldn’t be more relevant: a man looking at himself in a mirror, then walking away and forgetting what he saw.
That’s me sometimes.
That’s us.
We hear a convicting sermon.
We read a verse that cuts deep.
We feel that nudge to act, to change, to obey…
Then we move on like nothing happened.
James calls it self-deception. And honestly, he’s right. We’re not fooling God—we’re fooling ourselves.
What God Showed Me
This morning, the Lord reminded me: He doesn’t just want my attention—He wants my action. He’s not just speaking, so I can feel something. He’s speaking, so I’ll do something.
So I asked myself—and I’ll ask you too:
What has God already shown you that you still haven’t obeyed?
Maybe it’s a step toward forgiveness.
Maybe it’s a call to repentance.
Maybe it’s serving where you’ve been resisting, or letting go of something you’ve held too tightly.
Whatever it is, today is the day to stop hearing only and start doing.
Let’s not just be men and women who know the Word.
Let’s be people who live it out.
That’s where the blessing is. That’s where the power is. That’s where transformation begins.
In Love,
Pastor Jody
“But become 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.”- James 1:22–23, LSB
I’ve read this before, maybe a hundred times. Quoted it. Even preached it. But today, it hit differently.
I sat there with my Bible open and my coffee getting cold, and the Holy Spirit whispered, “You’re good at listening—but are you doing what I’m saying?”
That stung a bit.
As a pastor, I spend a lot of time in the Word—studying, preparing, teaching. But James reminds us that proximity to Scripture doesn’t equal obedience. It’s easy to feel spiritual because we’re around the Bible a lot, but being near the Word isn’t the same as being transformed by it.
The Mirror Test
James gives us a picture that couldn’t be more relevant: a man looking at himself in a mirror, then walking away and forgetting what he saw.
That’s me sometimes.
That’s us.
We hear a convicting sermon.
We read a verse that cuts deep.
We feel that nudge to act, to change, to obey…
Then we move on like nothing happened.
James calls it self-deception. And honestly, he’s right. We’re not fooling God—we’re fooling ourselves.
What God Showed Me
This morning, the Lord reminded me: He doesn’t just want my attention—He wants my action. He’s not just speaking, so I can feel something. He’s speaking, so I’ll do something.
So I asked myself—and I’ll ask you too:
What has God already shown you that you still haven’t obeyed?
Maybe it’s a step toward forgiveness.
Maybe it’s a call to repentance.
Maybe it’s serving where you’ve been resisting, or letting go of something you’ve held too tightly.
Whatever it is, today is the day to stop hearing only and start doing.
Let’s not just be men and women who know the Word.
Let’s be people who live it out.
That’s where the blessing is. That’s where the power is. That’s where transformation begins.
In Love,
Pastor Jody
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2025
March
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April
Back to the Basics: Evangelism Isn’t OptionalFrom Head to Heart: Reading Scripture for Transformation, Not Just InformationMan Up and Lead – God's Design for the HomeHead in the Sand: The Danger of Ignoring HolinessGossip: A Spiritual Battle We Must FightLaziness and Complacency in a Christian’s Life: A Wake-Up Call for the Family, the Church, and the KingdomWe’re Here for You—In the Valleys and on the Mountaintops
May
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June
Pride: The Root of All SinThe Difference Between Continual Sin and Oops SinGod Doesn’t Care About Your Happiness—He Cares About Your ObedienceBack to the Basics: 4 Non-Negotiables in the Kingdom of GodConfronted by the Living WordQuitting Has Become the American Way — But Fruit Comes Through Faithful EnduranceTwo Seas, Two Lives: What the Dead Sea and Sea of Galilee Teach Us About DiscipleshipTrue Repentance: More Than Just Saying “Sorry”Why Do I Keep Running from God When I Know I Should Run Toward Him?If There Is Dust on Your Bible, There Is Dust on Your HeartWar or Murder? A Biblical Response to the Iran Conflict—and Why We Stand with IsraelChristianity Is Like a Rock TumblerThe Doctrine of Perfection: A Dangerous HeresyChristianity: Inclusive to All, Exclusive to Follow
July
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2024
February
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May
A Critical Examination of Michael Todd's TeachingsRevisiting Leadership and Accountability: A Critical Look at Mark Driscoll’s CharacterExamining The Teachings of Bill Johnson- Bethel ChurchA Critical Review of Andy Stanley’s Teachings: Lukewarm Understanding of ScriptureRecognizing False Teachers: A Guide for Church MembersGood Shepherds Understanding Bible Translations: Which Ones Should We Trust?Confronting Bad Theology in the Church5 Ways Christians Can Build Their Faith
July
Finding Comfort in the Midst of Loss: A Biblical Perspective on SufferingThe Seven Stages of Grieving: A Biblical PerspectiveUnderstanding Luke 11:1-4: The Lord's PrayerHistory of the AltarThe Power and Practice of Intercessory PrayerAre You A Christian Who Prays?The Power of Corporate Prayer: A Biblical Perspective
October
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