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#ThursdayDevotion: James 4:13 - 17

Date: November 12th, 2020

James 4:13-17 reminds us of a problem many of us Christians have, and it’s something we need to change.

This passage assumes that as believers, we readily acknowledge Jesus as Lord.  But when it comes to the business of daily living, we set that fact aside and function as if Jesus is not really our Lord.  We acknowledge Him in the spiritual aspect of our lives, but don’t acknowledge Him or invite His Lordship into everyday life.  We make our daily plans (or even just drift through the day), set our life-goals and accomplish our dreams without checking in with Him or waiting on Him for guidance.  Or we may pray for His blessings and guidance but not wait to listen for it.  We behave like believers in our devotional life, but like unbelievers in our daily life.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, was not admonishing people for making plans.  It is what is lacking in the plans that is the problem.  If God wants you somewhere, then that’s where you need to be.  I remember years back a man sharing a testimony of how he had two job interviews lined up in one day due to some kind of mix up.  One was working in a company in a management role, the other was with someone who wanted to start up a business. In his heart he wanted the secure job working in management, but felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to skip that interview and just go to the other one, which he did.  He soon joined this person in starting up what is now one of New Zealand’s biggest fruit companies.  The other business?  It folded within the year.  Make time to stop and listen to what the Lord has to say, even if it is over your morning coffee. 

Be persistent!




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