James 1:22-27

"Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and..."

Looked in the mirror lately? A mirror helps us see what we need to correct; God's word is that mirror for our spiritual behavior.

When does the trip to the dentist bother you? We need to let the word of God speak to us and not worry about applying it to everyone else.

What can empty our faith of its value? Tammy Marcelain shares insight on who we welcome and how we welcome them into our midst, and also reflects on what we do to push them away and hurt them with our words and actions.

Doesn't our faith have to impact the way we live our daily lives? Rubel Shelly reminds us that our faith must make a difference in our normal lives or it matters little.

"If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in..."

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."

"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."

"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. "

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted....."

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted....."

"But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you..."

"If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless."

Inspirational illustration of James 1:26 -- f anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

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

Inspirational illustration of James 1:27 -- Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Does pedigree or privilege change us? Rubel Shelly reminds us that our pedigree and genealogy doesn't make us Christian, but our discipleship does.

"Dear Disciple, Read My harsh words to the Pharisees about their all-talk-legalism and not-much-help religion (Matthew 23:1-36). When you do, you will..."

Follow up to the continuing discussion Phil Ware continues his discussion on serving those who are homebound in our church communities.

You've been there, haven't you, where you needed help and wondered if anyone was there? Phil Ware talks about using our summers to do God's work.

Do they move you to action? Alan Smith reminds us our responsibility and our need to have compassion for those in need.

Will you remember those everyone else forgets? True religion is more than just spouting off religious phrases and remaining isolated from worldly people -- it means to take the sin and worldliness out of people and take care of them.

What does pure religion really look like? Phil Ware continues his series connected to his blog about the his mission trip to Peru with his wife Donna and the children they touched.

Isn't this what every child has a right to expect? Rubel Shelly talks about Davion Navar Henry Only and his search for his mother and a forever family who will love him unconditionally.

Want to know how to take a simple dress and change a life? Susan Sagun shares with Heartlight the innovative way to help children and women in Uganda while at the same time giving a blessing here at home!

So is that really hypocrisy? Rubel Shelly talks about a gruesome murder attributed to satanist and reminds us that most satanists are like most folks who claim to be Christians, they don't really walk their talk, they just want to do what they want to do!

How much time are you willing to invest in the life of a child? Mentoring kids offers a great chance for Christians to honor the call of Jesus to care for orphans.

Don't you wish you could take back some things you've said? Rubel Shelly reminds us of our need to restrain our urge to speak too quickly and compares that to a new gmail feature called undo send

How can I share in community when I am limited in how I can get out with other people? Phil Ware talks about how we can help provide and be community to those who cannot get away from home or care facilities and he asks for our input on how we can help them do this.

Hear the words of one who has lived it: What does an orphan desire most? This powerful message is from an orphan who was abandoned and abused by family and rescued by a sponsor.

My life has been forever changed — and thankfully, so has Edison's. The Child Survival Program from Compassion International is making great strides for mothers and babies in Ecuador.

It was in the midst of poverty that I learned God is never late, An article reminding us that God is never late.

Sometimes the biggest story at church is not one you know! Phil Ware shares a Mothers' Day story of God's grace and the reunion of a family brought together through adoption.

Where can folks find Jesus' love in your town? compassion, concern, care, Christ, love, Jesus, Church

There are not enough words to thank you for sharing in this grace! Phil Ware talks about reaching the 1,000 sponsored child mark with Heartlight.org and verseoftheday.com and what a great mark this is to break.

We actually exchanged real words with both of them. It was amazing. Would you believe that they are both real living, breathing human beings? Michael DeCamp shares a chapter out of his new book, "Loving Out Loud," and challenges us to use our words to bless and not hurt, to give life and not steal it from someone.

Why in the world would Phil get nine shots in four weeks? Phil Ware talks about his upcoming trip to Uganda with Compassion International and the opportunity to help children in poverty with the love of Jesus.

How can we avoid the foolish man's crash? Phil Ware reminds us of the harsh truth about knowing more than we put into practice, we are certainly called to be much more than a biblical thumb drive.

"Dear Lover of God, During My earthly ministry, I was asked: "which commandment is the greatest?" (Matthew 22:36). Quoting Old Testament Scriptures,....."

Why not give the gift of new life to a child who is waiting for someone to help them experience grace? Phil Ware gives three reasons to sponsor a child with Compassion International.

Have you settled on simply staying put? We need to evaluate how we are growing and have a plan to continue to grow.

Jesus is God made touchable! Phil Ware introduces his trip to Comunidad de Los Niños Sagrada Familia in Lima, Peru, and the children that Jesus wants touched with his grace.

How can I change someone's life this Christmas? Teresa Bell Kindred shares her experiences on adopting Reina through Compassion International and encourages others to do something similar.

How can it be worse? Phil Ware writes about children being valued for who they are.

How dark is it in your world? Phil Ware continues his series called Light on the Dark Side of the Mountain and reminds us that risky faith is rewarded.