August 19, 2015
James 4
Scripture:
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Observation:
Discipleship is not about sin management; it’s about life transformation. Additionally, discipleship is not about programs—it’s about Jesus! This verse helps us remember the priority in our quest for righteousness and holiness.
While programs and resources are necessary tools to aide in our Spirit-empowered journey, only Jesus can transform lives. “Submit yourself to God” first and then, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to resist the devil and make him flee. I can still hear one of my good friends, Pastor Ken DeChant, lead pastor of Journey Church in Fremont, Ohio, saying, “keep the main thing the main thing.” As you know, the main thing for us is Jesus. Keep Jesus first by seeking and submitting to Him first. Before we begin any program or create a personal list of rules to follow in an attempt to conquer sin, we need the transforming power of Jesus in our life.
Application:
- Personal Application: Spend some time recommitting your heart and life to Jesus today.
- Family Application: Ask your family to suggest some ways to keep Jesus first in life and discuss their answers.
Prayer:
- Personal Prayer Focus: Ask God for forgiveness and for the power of the Holy Spirit to fill your life on this journey.
- Family Prayer Focus: Pray that Jesus will reveal himself to each of your family members and that their hearts will submit to Him in the moment of struggle.
Three Year Reading Plan for Sunday, August 16 – Sunday, August 23:
- Sunday, August 16: James 1
- Monday, August 17: James 2
- Tuesday, August 18: James 3
- Wednesday, August 19: James 4
- Thursday, August 20: James 5
- Friday, August 21: 1 Peter 1
- Saturday, August 22: 1 Peter 2
- Sunday, August 23: 1 Peter 3
—TOM GROOT is National Director of Men’s Ministry and Christian Education. Connect with Tom on Facebook or Twitter @TomGrootJr.
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