First of all, that’s not a typo in the title.  Here, let me explain.

 

Our gospel meeting with Chuck Durham is over.  This highly anticipated four day focus on “As For Me and My House” could not have gone any better.  The sermons were timely and presented in a powerful and practical way.  Our people enthusiastically supported the meeting and, for the most part, were here as much as possible.  It was a fitting exclamation point on our theme for 2013.  But we’re not finished yet.

 

Where do we go from hear?  We’ve heard the word of God.  We looked at Joshua 24:15, Ephesians 5, Malachi 2, Deuteronomy 6, Psalm 78 and many other passages this past week.  We’ve been reminded of what God expects from us as individuals and as members of our family. The question now is: what are we going to do with this information we’ve heard?  Where do we go from here?

Fortunately, James 1 helps us with the answer.

 

Start with your own heart.  “In humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls” (Jam. 1:21).  Just because the word has been sown does not mean that it will find root in your heart.  Each person must see to that individually.  And notice that it must be done “in humility.”  After hearing the word of God, the humble person will say, “I need to do better at that.”  That’s the only way the seed can get where it needs to go.

 

For this meeting to have any lasting effect, we must see beyond the general need of our culture to hear what was said.  The truth is, I can’t make anyone else receive the word anyway.  But I can recognize my own need to be a better husband, father, and Christian.  If I just apply the sermons to everyone else and wish that others had been here to hear, I’ve allowed my heart to become as hard as the wayside soil.  You have to set your own house in order first.

 

Take it home with you.  “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (Jam. 1:22).  Hearing is important.  Jesus even said to “take care how you hear” (Luke 8:18).  When we teach people what the Bible says to do be saved, we often start with the responsibility to hear.  But we don’t stop there.

 

If what we hear is not applied, we deceive ourselves into thinking that we’ve fulfilled our responsibilities.  I heard several “Amens” during the meeting last week.  I even said it a time or two myself.  But the real test will be what I do with this information in the walls of my own home.  The temptation is to think that it is going to get done automatically.  Do not be deceived!  The proof is in the doing.   It is one thing to admit that I’ve not always put the needs of my family above my own selfish interests.  It is altogether different to prove my decision to do better with deeds. Who knows, I may even give buying clothes for Melissa another shot...

 

Keep coming back for more. “But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it...this man shall be blessed in what he does” (Jam. 1:25).  This “looking intently” cannot be done with a passing glance.  We certainly study our physical reflection in the mirror to make whatever adjustments are necessary for our outward appearance.  How much more should look deeply into the word of God as we seek to mold our inner man into the image of Jesus Christ?

 

My focus on “As For Me and My House” ought not to end with 2013.  Giving attention to my role in my home should not be a four days-and-done event.  Hearing must become doing and doing must become abiding, a word that means in the Greek “to stay on, remain with, continue.” I need to look in the mirror for sure.  But I need to keep looking until what I see transforms into what God wants.

 

Where do we go from hear?  If I may borrow from Nike, just do it!