James 4:1-10
Life Lesson: Prayer is our response to God’s invitation to Intimacy.
** C.S. Lewis (Letters to Malcolm) – 4 Habits that Keep us from Intimacy with God
1. Inattention
2. Distraction
3. Greed
4. Conceit and Arrogance
I. Truths about Prayer
Truth 1 – James teaches us that God yearns to be intimate with us.
James 4:4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
James 4:5 – “God yearns jealously for the spirit that he has made to dwell in us.”
Point: Any flirtation with the world cause jealousy in the Lord’s heart.
Truth 2 – When we are ready to come close to God, he welcomes us.
James 4:8 – “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”
Point: “Drawing near” is the first step to Peace
Stepping Stone 1 – Follow God’s five Guidelines to intimacy. (See: James 4:7-10)
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Guideline 1 – Submit... no matter the cost.
Guideline 2 – Resist...because Satan WILL attack.
Guideline 3 – Draw Near...after all, your intimacy journey is a choice.
Guideline 4 – Cleanse and Purify...so there are no barriers or pretenses in your heart.
Note: Daily confession is a great gift you give yourself.
Guideline 5 – Humble yourself...since God’s grace is discovered in Humility.
Stepping Stone 2 – Have a daily “Heart to Heart” with God.
Galatians 4:6 – “Because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”
Point: Totally open up...Tell God all your fears, failures, hopes, dreams
Stepping Stone 3 – Have a daily “Praise” session.
Ephesians 5:19-20 – “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Note: Ask for nothing during this Session.
Point: Love God for himself.
Psalm 106:3 – “Oh give thanks to the LORD for he is good.”
No comments:
Post a Comment