Devotions with Pastor Bill Ritchey

James 1:22-25 tells us, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” 

When you look in the mirror of God’s Word, what do you see looking back at you? The “natural” values of this world, or values changed supernaturally by a Biblical world view? Is the image of GOD (Imago Dei) being reflected through you to those you encounter?

Just as a mirror reflects what you look like on the outside, GOD’s Word reflects what you are like on the inside.  Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.“

If the “thoughts and intentions” of my heart are not what they should be, the Holy Spirit can change that as I read, study, and apply Scripture to my life and allow Him to work freely in me. Then I can overcome the personal desires that are so strongly influenced by this world system and begin to reflect God’s values to this needy world.

The shalom and strength of Christ’s presence go with you always.
Pastor Bill