A Daily Devotional with Pastor Doug Crouse March 15, 2018 The Message in the Mirror Scripture Reading – James 1:23 - 25 (NLT) “For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it." 

It is probably a regular practice for many of us to spend some time in the morning before we go out, getting cleaned up, and then taking a good look in the mirror, before we go and meet the day. Especially so, if we are going out to some special occasion, we actually want to look carefully and make sure that as we are seen by others that we won't be embarrassed in any way. We can tell our true friends by the ones who will be good enough to say that there is a bit of spinach caught in our front teeth, and it's quite noticeable when we smile.

When it comes to the Word of God it is even more vital that we pay attention to, 'The Message in the Mirror'. I remember these words of a popular song: 'I'm talking to the man in the mirror, I'm asking him to change his ways, and no message could have been any clearer, if you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change'. When the Holy Spirit is actively welcomed into our hearts, minds and lives - He does use the Word to daily change us, as we walk in obedience.

The result when we allow the Word, not to be something we unleash upon others, but rather open up to our hearts and carefully look to what it is saying to us, is that we are set free, we can see more clearly, we can walk in the place of obedience, and to the delight of the heart of the Father and the Son, we are richly blessed.

When this is the case, that we have spent time, even much time in the Mirror of the Word, people may stop and take a second look at us, or even pause and listen carefully to the words we choose to say. And when they look, see and hear - what will they see, by the grace of God He prays – Jesus Christ in you and me for He is the only hope of glory! 

Prayer Father, I thank-You for your Word. Holy Spirit open my eyes to see, open my mind to understand, open my heart to obey and may Jesus be seen in my life I pray. 

Memory Verse:  Ephesians 4:2 NLT “Always be __________ and ________. Be _________ with each other, making ______________ for each other’s faults because of your love.”