November 20, 2008

James 4: 1 - 17

James wrote this with some really extreme and hard-hitting language. I hope his intensity and good intentions really drive home the points the Holy Spirit is speaking to you about the importance of drawing close to God.

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How do you quell "quarrels and fights" in the church?
How do you control "the evil desires at war within you"?
How do you get rid of jealousy?

All these problems are resolved by continually drawing close to God and looking only to Him to satisfy. I know this by experience. I still stumble when my logic propels me to attain things in a worldly way by striving or other means. But James challenges me:

Could I be being "spiritually adulterous" in doing so?

That sounds overly dramatic but God speaks of loving and longing for us like a husband longs for his wife! The whole book of Hosea talks about that. God longs for me to be completely with Him. God is JEALOUS for me! Us! Crazy! He's God!! He longs to provide in our lives and yearns for us to go to Him with our longings.

God calls us to draw close to Him. Are you doing so with everything you are? And if you're not, remember that God is gracious. He gives us second chances. He gives us xth number of chances.

I pray that you come before God and repent if you have been proud and resorting to your own ways. I pray that your loyalty glorifies God and you will see Him glorifying you. I pray in drawing near you will be overwhelmed and overflowing with God's love.