It seems that sometimes as Christians we tend take in a lot of sermons and possibly lots of Bible studies.

But.

Are we being changed by the sermons we hear?

Are we implementing the lessons learned in the studies we do?

Are we going to church on Sundays just to check it off our to-do list?

Are we going to church on Sundays because it is the “right” thing to do?

Are we doing a Bible study because we are supposed to, and it makes us feel better about ourselves?

OR.

Are we seeking to discover God?

Are we showing up to worship God?

Are we getting to know Him better through hearing from His Word?

Are we ruminating on His Truth and applying it to our lives?

Are we putting into practice His Truth?

Are we integrating Truth into all areas of our lives?

I have been/can be guilty of plowing through studies or books that speak Truth and not spending time reflecting on it and figuring out how I need to implement the Truth in my life. I have been/can be guilty of showing up at church on Sunday mornings with the wrong mindset.

May we slow down.

May we be still.

May we sit quietly.

May we read and reflect.

May we practice studying, learning, and applying a Truth before we move onto a new Truth.

Yesterday this line in my devotional really stuck out to me,

“we are not judged by how we compare to others.”

We are only responsible for ourselves. Let’s do our work. Focus on us and not worry about what anyone else is or is not doing. Let’s remember God. Let’s choose love. Practice. Allow God to work in and on us. Show up in love no matter what anyone else is doing. BE our best self.

Then the fruit the Holy Spirit produces in our life will be evident to all.

Then the people in our lives will benefit from the fruit the Holy Spirit produces in us as we stay connected to Him.

Then we will overflow with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control.

I’m not saying we will be perfect or that we should expect to be perfect. That is unrealistic and would lead to disappointments. We will make mistakes. We are human.

I think we benefit from being self-aware, from knowing our weaknesses, and deciding to not be surprised by them, by depending on God to strengthen us in spite of them.

If we recognize the fact that we will mess up and be prepare for it, then we do not have to be derailed by it.

We can admit our mistake, ask for forgiveness if needed, and keep going.

And. As we practice. As we empty out our selfishness, greed, insecurities, expectations, gluttony, whatever we struggle with, before the Lord and ask Him for forgiveness, we will be changed.

As we ask God daily to fill us with His Holy Spirit, and flow through us, we will become more and more like Him. As we practice. We will improve. As we practice it will become more natural to respond from the Spirit.

As we go to church on Sundays may we ask God to open our hearts to hear and receive His Truth. As we sing songs of worship may we remember who we are singing to. May we respond out of love for our gracious heavenly Father. May we be found faithful and obedient because of our love for God. As we study God’s Word may we ask that He speaks to us in real, meaningful, and tangible ways. As we read His Truth may we ask that He helps us to implement it in our lives. May we be found being transformed!

Keep seeking and discovering!