“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22)

When we look into God’s word, but don’t obey it, James tells us we’re deceived. Reading or hearing isn’t enough. We must do it.

Do you ever read God’s word or listen to a sermon, then forget it? Or ignore it? Or just refuse to do what you’ve heard?

Yeah, me too.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Wanting to know God’s will is different than being transformed by God’s word and beginning to think and act like He does.

Have you asked God to reveal His will for your life, but continued to conform to the ways of the world?

Yeah, me too.

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)

We’re not like those who don’t know Christ. We died to sin. We are strangers and aliens on earth. Our real citizenship is in heaven.

So Paul says to set our hearts and minds on things above, but do you find most of your thoughts and desires consumed with the things of this present world?

Yeah, me too.

I’ve been giving these things a lot of thought lately as I’ve prepared for a three-week sermon series called, “Journey.” On May 16th, we’re going to look at our destination–heaven. It’s nothing like what most of us think.

On May 23rd, we’re going to look at the way of the journey–the pattern God has given us for living life. In many ways, we’ve gotten it completely backwards and upside down.

On May 30th, we’re going to look at the conversations of the journey. There are two types of conversations that have divine power to change everything. Most of us are not experiencing these conversations.

If you’d like to join us over the internet, we’ll be streaming live. Please join us.

Until then, let me encourage you to meditate on the passages I referenced above. Let them sink in. Let them begin to change your thinking. And if you want to get a jump start on the sermon for May 16th, read Revelation 21 and 22.