Reading The Book of James

I have seen how easy it is to forget about what matters most and to get lost in the worldliness that surrounds us. Being convicted throughout the whole book of James. I can’t help but concentrate a little more on chapter 4. You’ve got the things we struggle with most in one chapter of the book of James. Selfishness, Worldliness, Pride, Criticism, and Boasting. It’s hard to get through this one chapter without praying after reading each sentence.

We struggle and fight, but for what purpose? If it is for a purpose that is less than that of making the love and sufficiency of God known to others, then what are we doing? What purpose is better than making our father’s name, known to others?
Having more time to dive into prayer and read the word, I have grown so much stronger in my faith. I praise God for it every chance I get. The hardest things are still the struggles within myself.

When I see sin in my life, I am convicted in many ways. A dear friend once asked me this question,”do you not feel conviction when you sin, to the point of sorrow….in your heart?” Truth be told, I had, but it took a while to sink in. I have experienced the conviction right as I notice the sin. It took a while for that to happen, but as I see the Lord working in my life more and more….I see His wonderful mercy and grace that surrounds me and I can’t begin to understand why He loves us so much, but I am thankful!!

Is the war we fight between one another actually a war within ourselves? I think it is. We feel the hurt…something missing in our lives and we work in all different ways to find that something, but never look in the right place. Even though….that place is right in front of our faces. Christ was sacrificed so we don’t have to feel lost anymore. We are never going to be perfect, no matter how much money we have, what kind of car we drive, or how many people we think owe us something for a deed we did that should have been something done out of the pure joy of just doing something for someone and serving others.

We boast in our own good works and for what? Being prideful? The feeling of doing something good, is it so you can say ”I told you so”, “Way to go me!” In the long run we are hurting ourselves. Instead of taking credit for things, (we all do, I do it more than I want to admit) we should be giving credit to God. Thank Him for teaching us more and more each day. Thank Him for giving us life and for giving us Christ. For Christ’s death on the cross that has freed us from what we all deserve!

I have been going through a long process of conviction and repentance while being up here in N.Y. It wears you out, but brings you to a level in your faith that is amazing. I praise God for that feeling and for teaching me so much in such a short time. Seeking Him, clinging to Him and staying strong in prayer has been the best! I urge you all to keep praying, keep seeking....He is listening and is the God of second, third and fourth chances. He wants us to cling and realize how much we are loved.

As I finish up studying the book of James, I am so thankful for all of the conviction and continue to thirst for more words of wisdom that we have been supplied.

YOU ARE AMAZING GOD!!! :)