Today is October 23.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”   
 
Today’s reading is from the book of James, chapter 1.  
 
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.  
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.  
 
Sometimes, even when we try to enter into times of attentiveness, we struggle to actually pay attention! What do you recall from the scripture we just heard? Can you recall the main theme, a phrase, or word? Our minds are often full! And we are so often distracted! Take a moment to get present to what’s on your mind right now. As you get present to that thing, I want you to close your hand around it as if you’re holding on to it.  
 
Now, I want you to open your hands and release that thing, or those things to God. Say, “I give this to you, Lord and ask you for an exchange. What I have for what you have.” As we read the scripture again now, so take a moment and prepare yourself to really pay attention. Ask God to draw your attention to these words from James.  
  
James tells us that it is the ‘word planted in us, that can save us’.  Christ Himself is the word who is planted in us. And scripture, when breathed full of life by the Spirit, is the word which is planted in us. James reminds us that ‘looking intently’ at these things brings freedom. Would you consider a question today: What is a word that he has planted in you? What might it mean for you to take time today to cultivate the word of God that he has planted in you? Carry that word in your heart today.  
 
Music: "I Bless The Lord" - Vineyard Worship (UK) 
I BLESS THE LORD [Official Lyric Video] | Vineyard Worship feat. Jodie Alexander-Frye