Life Lessons – Stephen Trammell

Doing His Word

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 (NIV) We are bombarded with information. From billboards to books, from electronic media to engaging magazines, there is no void of information. The accessibility of information is literally at our fingertips. If you really want to know something, there are unlimited avenues of securing the information that you are seeking. The Bible is still the most read book on planet earth. As you read God’s Word, you have the opportunity to listen to what God is saying and then to do what He says. However, you also have the opportunity to keep God’s Word at a distance. You can listen to God’s Word for information purposes only. Your reading and hearing of God’s Word becomes a cognitive exercise that yields minimal fruit in your life. God wants your level of listening to move beyond that of information. The reality is that we know more than we are doing. It is not that we need to know more at this point, but rather obey what we already know. You can literally deceive yourself by listening to the Word of God at the level of information. God’s Word is designed for more than just informing you about facts and trends. God’s Word is to inform you about the nature and character of God. God’s Word is to inform you about His world redemption plan and where you fit into the process. However, you can stay at the level of knowing about God and His plan without allowing the information to directly impact your life. God wants you to go to the next level. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor (This devotional was originally posted in ’07 or ’08. I’m taking a break from writing for a season of personal renewal.) Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Sincere Faith (5)

“‘Honor your father and mother’–which is the first commandment with a promise—‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’” Eph 6:2-3 (NIV) One way to honor your parents is to learn what they know. Recently I visited my dad on the front porch of the nursing home where he resides. My parents have been divorced for over thirty years now. The beauty of the visit was the fact that my mom went with me to see my dad. It was very interesting and meaningful at the same time. One of the highlights of our visit took place when I asked my dad to tell about his upbringing and eventual marriage to my mom. I asked him to help me understand what caused him to take his first drink of alcohol and to help me understand what led him down the path to becoming an alcoholic. Some of the most powerful lessons I have learned in life have come from being reared in a single-parent family since age seven. For me to fail to learn what my parents know would be cheating myself valuable life lessons that could enrich my life. It would be like swimming over an exotic reef without a snorkel and fins to capture the essence of aquatic life beneath the surface. Learn what your parents know. Commit to grow by seeking to know. God has allowed your parents to live life years in advance of you so that you can benefit from their experience. You can honor your parents by learning what they know. Glean all you can from their faith journey. Your sincere faith always has room to grow. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor