Respond to what you hear

"So get rid of all the filfth and evil in your lives and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts. For it is strong enough to save your souls."

The previous verse has spoken about listening - listening to God! But is what is God saying? But we cannot come to his presence knowing that moral fiflth is so preevalent in our lives. This is what James is telling us. This means that a clean up has to take place. We need to get rid of all the filth.
Getting rid of the filth we need to humbly accept God's word. If we have heard and read God's how do we respond, do we respond by humbly accepting God's word?

Prayer, Vision, Action!

Just finished reading the book entitled An Irregular Candidate: Jackie Ross of Blythswood written by Irene Howat. It tells the story of Jackie Ross who founded Blythswood 40 years ago and also involved in church ministry and community work in Locharron. Irene took to speak to Jackie, his family and friends and many others he worked alongside. While staying locally I did not meet Jackie Ross. Reading the book Mr Ross was an inspiration too many. He was man who saw a need and carried it out to completion. He had what many in the book might call "Tunnel vision". If he was envisioned to do something he had the perserverence to carry it on to completion. Many found encouragement from the fact that he wasnt just a visionary but was prepared to work alongside others in getting their hands dirty for the sake of sharing the gospel in a practical way.
I was reminded of Nehemiah who begun out with prayer then a vision then action and this is how it should be
Prayer>Vision>Action (All the way seasoned with prayer!)