Verse of the Day 6/15

Verse of the Day 6/15

James 1:25

Holman Christian Standard Bible

25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works—this person will be blessed in what he does.

I read today's verse the other day and it was from the Holman Christian Study Bible.  Some translations simply say "look into" and leave out the "intently" part of it.  It may not seem like a big difference but just as skimming through a magazine or newspaper may inform you about something, looking intently, studying, and considering something, dwelling on it for a while will give you a better understanding of the subject and what it means to your life.

So it is with God's Word.  It is great to have a read through the Bible plan, but it should not just be a checklist for the day.  We will likely be better off reading a smaller portion "intently" than skimming through a passage.  Let me be the first to say that I have been guilty of that.

Pastor John MacArthur writes, "Look intently" translates a Greek word that pictures bending down to examine something with care and precision. Stooping implies humility and a desire to see clearly what Scripture reveals about your own spiritual condition. It's an attitude as well as an action.....As you study Scripture, let this be your underlying attitude: "Lord, as I gaze intently into your Word, reveal the things in my life that need to be changed. Then grant me the grace to make those changes so I can live more fully to your glory."

I am not discouraging reading through the Bible in a year, however, if you are not doing so, spend some time looking "intently" at a verse, passage or chapter and see what difference it makes in your time in the Word.

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

James 1:22-27

Holman Christian Standard Bible

22 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face[a] in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works—this person will be blessed in what he does.

26 If anyone[b] thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, then his religion is useless and he deceives himself. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.