Get Creative in 'Doing the Word'

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 (NLT).   James is telling us that if we cannot easily think of a way to do what has been preached to us, we must get creative! We must find ways to do the Word. Paul writes in Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works." This tells us that when we were saved God put forth His best efforts and creative powers to marvelously fashion and create us in Jesus Christ. We were not just mildly saved. Rather, God took us into His hands and marvelously made us new in Jesus Christ as He released His most powerful creative forces and made us a workmanship worthy to bear His name. If you cannot easily think of ways to do what you've heard preached, it is time for you to get creative! Put all your heart and soul into finding a way to act on what you have heard You might be thinking that it is impossible to do the WORD in a new creative way! WRONG. Do not worry — the Lord is not short on creativity! If you will listen, the Holy Spirit will say, "Here's an opportunity to apply what you've been hearing. Do it!" If you have a heart to truly act on the Word of God, the Holy Spirit will show you ways to do it. When Dick and I hold healing workshops, we tell people to get creative in ways you release the Holy Spirit. Lay hands on gifts and articles you give to others. Release the Holy Spirits witnessing power, healing power, and encouraging power so others may turn their ways to His way!                             Seek the Lord and allow Him to show you how: To pray for the sick—listen to others and watch for the open door of opportunity. To share Jesus with your lost friends—hear the bewilderment and emptiness in their life and give them the fullness of Christ. To bake a cake and take it to the person next door—how about a sick friend or relative; make some soup. To help your neighbor repair his car, screen, computer—whatever your skill is offer it to those around you. Remodeling your home—give those unwanted pieces of furniture away. Give them and release the Power of the Holy One as they go. Spiritual maturity is not measured by the number of meetings you have attended, how many speakers you have heard, how many books you have read, or how many podcasts you have listened to in the past year. You have to take the Word you have heard and find a way to make it work in your life. God is looking for people who actually do what they have heard preached, and what they have read! God is looking for the transformed believer who is living a transformed life and releasing His Power in new creative ways! So if you cannot seem to think of practical ways to apply the Word to your life, ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Here is one thing you can be sure of: The Holy Spirit is never short on ideas about how you can become a "doer" of the Word!