Don't Forget Your Reflection - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - May 5, 2025

Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

ibelieve truth banner

“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” James 1:23-24

Recently, I started Scripture memorization. In my spiritual walk, this is a spiritual discipline that I have not practiced well. I read my Bible study and practice times of fasting, silence, and solitude. But I don't do Scripture memorization well. Perhaps it's because I'm getting older or because it's difficult to remember all the words.

In my most recent attempt, no matter how hard I tried to memorize the Bible verses, they wouldn't come. I made flash cards, studied daily, and wanted to embed them in my mind, but no matter how hard I tried, they wouldn't stick.

When I spoke to people in church or tried to write a devotional or article, I had difficulty remembering the verses and putting them in the proper context. Sometimes I misapplied it. I knew studying and memorizing the Word was essential to understand where and in what context it was being used. This way, when I was going through a difficult time, I could recall those verses hidden in my heart. 

I am like someone who merely reads the Word but doesn't apply it. Many Christians believe they are Christians simply because they sit in a pew on Sunday or know a few verses. However, the spiritual life is just beginning. If someone wants a deeper life in Christ, they must do the work to aid their spiritual journey. 

This involves doing the hard things, like Scripture memorization. This way, when they are in a trial, they can recall the verses and the truth of God's Word to help anchor them when life gets tough or a situation becomes difficult to discern. 

When I look in the mirror, I examine my whole face. I take note of every wrinkle, flaw, and blemish. I apply makeup to the areas I want to conceal. I put makeup on to improve my facial features. I take steps to put on makeup when I must be at a formal event to make myself look my best. However, if I weren't aware of these flaws and weaknesses in my face, it would be fruitless for me to try to look my best. 

In the same way, a person who hears the Word from a sermon but does not apply it to their life is doing the same thing. It becomes a fruitless endeavor. It doesn't allow someone to go deep into the Word of God like they should. This also robs them of an opportunity to know God deeply and intimately.

In the same way, looking in a mirror and then forgetting your reflection seems odd. Yet, it is the same in a Christian's life. We've made it commonplace not to do the work of becoming true disciples. It's like putting on makeup in the dark. The makeup will look silly because I don't remember what I saw or what places need to be covered up.

If we know God, we need to remember his Word. We need to apply it to our lives. We can't merely listen to a sermon, smile at the preacher, and continue as if nothing has changed. The Word of God is living and active. It is to illuminate our sins, bring us to repentance, and help us deepen our walk with God. If we're not doing that daily, we look just like a person who's put on makeup in the dark. We don't remember what we look like and appear downright foolish.

Remember the Word. Do as it says. Let it permeate deep into your soul. Do the work to become a deep disciple so you may go out into the world and proclaim the gospel.

Let's pray:
Father, let us be people who remember what your Word says. In the same way a person knows their facial features, we should examine our souls in light of God's truth. When we know the Word, we know you. Let us remember the Word so we can anchor ourselves to it daily. Amen. 

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/frankiefotografie

Writer Michelle LazurekMichelle S. Lazurek is a multi-genre award-winning author, speaker, pastor's wife, and mother. She is a literary agent for Wordwise Media Services and host of The Spritual Reset Podcast. Her new children’s book Hall of Faith encourages kids to understand God can be trusted. When not working, she enjoys sipping a Starbucks latte, collecting 80s memorabilia, and spending time with her family and her crazy dog. For more info, please visit her website www.michellelazurek.com.

Related Resource: Soft Words for Hard Days: A Conversation with Aundi Kolber

Some days feel heavy. Some moments leave us wondering how to keep going. If you’ve ever longed for encouragement amid life’s hardest moments, I have a special episode of The Love Offering for you. This week, I’m joined by therapist and bestselling author Aundi Kolber to discuss her latest book, Take What You Need: Soft Words for Hard Days. This beautiful collection of quotes, scriptures, prayers, and gentle exercises is designed to be a balm for your most tender places—a reminder that you are never alone on your journey to healing.

In our conversation, we explore:
✨ How to hold space for yourself and others in difficult seasons
✨ The power of compassionate words when life feels overwhelming
✨ Practical ways to embrace healing and take one more step forward

If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to The Love Offering on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

 

Salem News Channel Today

Sponsored Links


September 26 - Phoenix, AZ
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts


November 2 - Detroit, MI
Zion Christian Church in Troy


October 6 - Los Angeles, CA
Pasadena Convention Center


November 5 - San Antonio, TX
Norris Centers – The Grand Red Oak Ballroom


October 8 - Sacramento, CA
William Jessup University


November 7 - Tampa, FL
The Palladium at St. Pete College


October 22 - Minneapolis, MN
Crowne Plaza AiRE


November 15 - San Francisco, CA
Fremont Marriott Silicon Valley


October 23 - Philadelphia, PA
Green Valley Country Club


November 16 - Denver, CO
CU South Denver - Formerly Wildlife Experience


November 2 - Chicago, IL
Chicago Westin Northwest in Itasca


November 21 - Cleveland, OH
Holiday Inn Rockside in Independence



Salem Radio Network Speakers

Larry Elder is an American lawyer, writer, and radio and television personality who calls himself the "Sage of South Central" a district of Los Angeles, Larry says his philosophy is to entertain, inform, provoke and to hopefully uplift. His calling card is "we have a country to save" and to him this means returning to the bedrock Constitutional principles of limited government and maximum personal responsibility. Elder's iconoclastic wit and intellectual agility makes him a particularly attractive voice in a nation that seems weary of traditional racial dialogue.” – Los Angeles Times.

Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher began his broadcasting career in 1978 in Dayton, Ohio. Today, he is one of the most listened-to talk radio show hosts in America, recently having been ranked in the Talkers Magazine “Heavy Hundred” list – the 100 most important talk radio hosts in America. Prior to being launched into national syndication in 1998, Mike hosted the morning show on WABC-AM in New York City. Today, Talkers Magazine reports that his show is heard by over 3.75 million weekly listeners. Besides his radio work, Mike is seen on Fox News Channel as an on-air contributor, frequently appearing on the cable news giant.

Hugh Hewitt is one of the nation’s leading bloggers and a genuine media revolutionary. He brings that expertise, his wit and what The New Yorker magazine calls his “amiable but relentless manner” to his nationally syndicated show each day.

When Dr. Sebastian Gorka was growing up, he listened to talk radio under his pillow with a transistor radio, dreaming that one day he would be behind the microphone. Beginning New Year’s Day 2019, he got his wish. Gorka now hosts America First every weekday afternoon 3 to 6pm ET. Gorka’s unique story works well on the radio. He is national security analyst for the Fox News Channel and author of two books: "Why We Fight" and "Defeating Jihad." His latest book releasing this fall is “War For America’s Soul.” He is uniquely qualified to fight the culture war and stand up for what is great about America, his adopted home country.

Broadcasting from his home station of KRLA in Los Angeles, the Dennis Prager Show is heard across the country. Everything in life – from politics to religion to relationships – is grist for Dennis’ mill. If it’s interesting, if it affects your life, then Dennis will be talking about it – with passion, humor, insight and wisdom.

Sean Hannity is a conservative radio and television host, and one of the original primetime hosts on the Fox News Channel, where he has appeared since 1996. Sean Hannity began his radio career at a college station in California, before moving on to markets in the Southeast and New York. Today, he’s one of the most listened to on-air voices. Hannity’s radio program went into national syndication on September 10, 2001, and airs on more than 500 stations. Talkers Magazine estimates Hannity’s weekly radio audience at 13.5 million. In 1996 he was hired as one of the original hosts on Fox News Channel. As host of several popular Fox programs, Hannity has become the highest-paid news anchor on television.

Michelle Malkin is a mother, wife, blogger, conservative syndicated columnist, longtime cable TV news commentator, and best-selling author of six books. She started her newspaper journalism career at the Los Angeles Daily News in 1992, moved to the Seattle Times in 1995, and has been penning nationally syndicated newspaper columns for Creators Syndicate since 1999. She is founder of conservative Internet start-ups Hot Air and Twitchy.com. Malkin has received numerous awards for her investigative journalism, including the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) national award for outstanding service for the cause of governmental ethics and leadership (1998), the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award for Investigative Journalism (2006), the Heritage Foundation and Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity's Breitbart Award for Excellence in Journalism (2013), the Center for Immigration Studies' Eugene Katz Award for Excellence in the Coverage of Immigration Award (2016), and the Manhattan Film Festival's Film Heals Award (2018). Married for 26 years and the mother of two teenage children, she lives with her family in Colorado. Follow her at michellemalkin.com. (Photo reprinted with kind permission from Peter Duke Photography.)

Sponsored by:

Don't Forget Your Reflection - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - May 5, 2025

Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

ibelieve truth banner

“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” James 1:23-24

Recently, I started Scripture memorization. In my spiritual walk, this is a spiritual discipline that I have not practiced well. I read my Bible study and practice times of fasting, silence, and solitude. But I don't do Scripture memorization well. Perhaps it's because I'm getting older or because it's difficult to remember all the words.

In my most recent attempt, no matter how hard I tried to memorize the Bible verses, they wouldn't come. I made flash cards, studied daily, and wanted to embed them in my mind, but no matter how hard I tried, they wouldn't stick.

When I spoke to people in church or tried to write a devotional or article, I had difficulty remembering the verses and putting them in the proper context. Sometimes I misapplied it. I knew studying and memorizing the Word was essential to understand where and in what context it was being used. This way, when I was going through a difficult time, I could recall those verses hidden in my heart. 

I am like someone who merely reads the Word but doesn't apply it. Many Christians believe they are Christians simply because they sit in a pew on Sunday or know a few verses. However, the spiritual life is just beginning. If someone wants a deeper life in Christ, they must do the work to aid their spiritual journey. 

This involves doing the hard things, like Scripture memorization. This way, when they are in a trial, they can recall the verses and the truth of God's Word to help anchor them when life gets tough or a situation becomes difficult to discern. 

When I look in the mirror, I examine my whole face. I take note of every wrinkle, flaw, and blemish. I apply makeup to the areas I want to conceal. I put makeup on to improve my facial features. I take steps to put on makeup when I must be at a formal event to make myself look my best. However, if I weren't aware of these flaws and weaknesses in my face, it would be fruitless for me to try to look my best. 

In the same way, a person who hears the Word from a sermon but does not apply it to their life is doing the same thing. It becomes a fruitless endeavor. It doesn't allow someone to go deep into the Word of God like they should. This also robs them of an opportunity to know God deeply and intimately.

In the same way, looking in a mirror and then forgetting your reflection seems odd. Yet, it is the same in a Christian's life. We've made it commonplace not to do the work of becoming true disciples. It's like putting on makeup in the dark. The makeup will look silly because I don't remember what I saw or what places need to be covered up.

If we know God, we need to remember his Word. We need to apply it to our lives. We can't merely listen to a sermon, smile at the preacher, and continue as if nothing has changed. The Word of God is living and active. It is to illuminate our sins, bring us to repentance, and help us deepen our walk with God. If we're not doing that daily, we look just like a person who's put on makeup in the dark. We don't remember what we look like and appear downright foolish.

Remember the Word. Do as it says. Let it permeate deep into your soul. Do the work to become a deep disciple so you may go out into the world and proclaim the gospel.

Let's pray:
Father, let us be people who remember what your Word says. In the same way a person knows their facial features, we should examine our souls in light of God's truth. When we know the Word, we know you. Let us remember the Word so we can anchor ourselves to it daily. Amen. 

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/frankiefotografie

Writer Michelle LazurekMichelle S. Lazurek is a multi-genre award-winning author, speaker, pastor's wife, and mother. She is a literary agent for Wordwise Media Services and host of The Spritual Reset Podcast. Her new children’s book Hall of Faith encourages kids to understand God can be trusted. When not working, she enjoys sipping a Starbucks latte, collecting 80s memorabilia, and spending time with her family and her crazy dog. For more info, please visit her website www.michellelazurek.com.

Related Resource: Soft Words for Hard Days: A Conversation with Aundi Kolber

Some days feel heavy. Some moments leave us wondering how to keep going. If you’ve ever longed for encouragement amid life’s hardest moments, I have a special episode of The Love Offering for you. This week, I’m joined by therapist and bestselling author Aundi Kolber to discuss her latest book, Take What You Need: Soft Words for Hard Days. This beautiful collection of quotes, scriptures, prayers, and gentle exercises is designed to be a balm for your most tender places—a reminder that you are never alone on your journey to healing.

In our conversation, we explore:
✨ How to hold space for yourself and others in difficult seasons
✨ The power of compassionate words when life feels overwhelming
✨ Practical ways to embrace healing and take one more step forward

If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to The Love Offering on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

 

Salem News Channel Today

Sponsored Links

On Air & Up Next

See the Full Program Guide