— DAY 5 —
Friday 2 February, 2024
A DIVIDED HEART - Part 1
James 4:7-10 (NLT)
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
COMMENT
What an incredible promise…come close to God and he will come close to you. Closeness with God, or intimacy, doesn’t come naturally. It requires you to be purposeful, for you to take the initiative. The level of intimacy you have with God is up to you. God is always available and he desires intimacy with you!
Draw near to God and he will draw close to you is something quoted regularly in Christian circles, often without the context of the verses that follow. It appears that a divided heart, one that partially belongs to God and also to the world is a great hinderance to intimacy with God. Here we are instructed to own our sin, to be deeply sorry for it and to see it with soberness, not being casual about it. We are encouraged to see our sin for what it is and to humble ourselves.
We are called to be 100% for God, without a foot in the world. Draw near to him and then he will draw near to you.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Being totally honest with yourself, are you 100% sold out for God?
Was there a time in your life when you felt close to God? What do you need to do to get back to that level of intimacy?
What would need to change in your life to be sold out to God?
Are you casual about your sin or do you approach God with humility?
PERSONAL CHALLENGE
Today, spend 15-30min alone with God…no noise, no distractions, just you and Him in a quiet place.
MAIN QUESTION (SELF REFLECTION)
What is God speaking to you about through this passage?
Encourage others by sharing your revelation in the group chat!
This is a self-reflection about what God is speaking directly to you about in YOUR life.
Words like “I” and “Me” are encouraged, “we” and “us” less so.
(On the Messages tab in Church Center)
PERSONAL PRAYER STARTER
Lord, today I remember and acknowledge the gravity of my sin. I thank you that on the cross that you paid the price for my past, present and future sin. I think you for what you have done….I don’t take it lightly. Thank you!
In Jesus name, amen.
14 DAYS OF PRAYER (Corporate Prayer)
We are praying for our YOUNG ADULTS.
Possible prayer areas: That they would have powerful God encounters. Pray that as they read the word that God would speak to them powerfully. Pray for the Young Adults retreat happening in April this year.