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

Do I put into practice what I read in God’s word? Or, do I simply hear the words, briefly consider them, and move on without implementing Biblical behavior in my life?

Luke 8:27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs.

Jesus will confront the demons in our lives that seek to control and destroy us. Thank You for loving us that much, Lord. 

Hebrews 13:2a Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers. . .
Do I remember to show strangers hospitality? Or, do I quickly dismiss them in my own selfishness?

Luke 8:25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. 

Faith is to be exercised, not kept hidden away. 

Hebrews 12:2-3 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

When I am disappointed, saddened, weary, at rock bottom, do I consider what Jesus endured? Or, do I grow angry, resentful, and bitter at our Lord?

Luke 8:24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.

Prayer = Peace

Hebrews 11:35-38 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. 

Faith is more than mere belief. It is evidenced in our behavior, seen in our sacrifice, and ultimately, rewarded by the Lord our God.

Luke 8:18 “Therefore consider carefully how you listen.”

How often do I give consideration to how i listen? 

Hebrews 10:26-29 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 

Good question. More severely than me? More severely than someone who accepted Christ and sinned anyway?