James 4:8
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts you double-minded.
I love the first sentence in this verse: “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” We know God is everywhere; He is already near us. But to know God is to seek Him always and to keep ourselves as pure and free of sin as we can be. When I seek God, I am better able to hear him.
Holy One, bring me in closer to you. I will listen for your voice. I am sorry for my straying and my selfishness. Thank you, God. Amen
Becky, transforming
James 4:8 I always feel close to God. I know he is listening to me. I always see God all around me. The beauty of nature and the birth of a baby are miracles that affirm his presence for me. He has not always answered my prayers, but I always feel that he has heard them. I pray that my faith will sustain that closeness in the future. Prayer: gracious God, I know you are listening. Thank you. Amen
James 4:8
Like Tom’s writing today, the words that struck me is “purify your hearts, you double minded.” My daily devotion author continually stresses that repentance is not a gift from God but it is God’s Spirit working in you when you completely accept Him (not a Quote). If we could completely accept God’s word we would not sin in the first place.
Dear Lord I always feel that I can never achieve what Chambers is telling me to do, but it give me more understanding of what life in your realm would be like. Thankfully you forgive me regardless of my doubts. Amen.
Tuesday April 12th, 2022
James 3:8
Reading this scripture, I was taken aback because it seemed that James was telling the people that God is angry. James's message seems to be directed to sinners. James says purify your hearts, you are doubled minded, trying to serve both yourself and god. God's Word says that a double-minded man is unstable in all he does.No wonder old habits seem to hang on indefinitely in the life of a double-minded believer. Those old habits are simply the consequence of a troubled heart and mind. This scripture is for sinners to draw near to God, so I am sure this totally includes me. A pure heart is one that has a whole heart,…
James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hand, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
In this verse I find that James is telling me to be closer to God and in this way, God will be closer to me. This shows me that God is merciful. When I repent, God in his gracious love and kindness, draws me closer to him.
Dearest Lord, gracious Lord. You offer me love and understanding so freely and I am so sorry for any sins I have committed that pushed you away. You forgive me time and again and I am so grateful for that. As I walk on this road of life, I…
James 4:8
The words that strike me in this morning’s verse are “double-minded.” There is great pride taken by some for being “multi-taskers,” but I wonder how effective that really is. Is it better to do several things reasonably well or one thing with excellence? I suppose it depends on the specific tasks, goals and objectives. Repentance requires a single-minded focus on God and seeking forgiveness in light of my sin. There is no dashing off a quick, “Forgive me, God, for I have sinned,” then moving on to other things. I have to come near to God and confess, for only then, James tells me, will God come close to me.
Prayer - God, I pray that in the…