James 4:1-10
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 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.
5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?
6 But he gives more grace.
Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
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.
Daniel 9:15-19
15 And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
16 “O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us.
17 Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. 18 O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name.
For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
2 Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3 Jerusalem—built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
4 to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
5 There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you!
7 Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”
8 For my brothers and companions' sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
There is a funny thing about easy street and the wide highway. We crave that easier life. And so did the people from the time of the return from the Exodus. It's just that - Jesus calls this the wide highway to pick the easy path of the world. He says gentiles lord over one another. We've come a long way from the Jewish diaspora. The problem is - we even understand this - the ones with having the attitude of "I'm All That" even understand - that's not as pleasing today - as James Bond used to be.
One thing to be said about the narrow road. The weepers at your funeral will be the ones - who traveled - in heart and in deed - the narrow road with you.
We have so many attitudes and poses today - the posers have few places to sit.
And perhaps it isn't that there are too few poses - but too many predictable ones.
The warmest place to be is this:
Romans 12:18
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
How will we ever sort through all of the layers, levels, implications, kindnesses, need for more information - even down to the ticker going by as we watch the news?
Forgiveness. We work out our own salvation, giving kindness and help when asked. Casting our cares upon HIM, who tenderly cares for us.
And we comfort those with the comfort we have received.
God provides. He provides when we are full. He provides when we are empty. He helps us when we need to sort. He helps us when all seems well and suddenly isn't. And He helps us when restorations calls.
2 Corinthians 6:17
16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 17"Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. 18"And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty.
Humility? Believers are the sons and daughters of the Lord God Father Almighty. That's. Astonishing.
And God forgives us to make this adoption in Jesus.
Father God, keep us centered on You. Let Your arms hold us to You. Help us to be bold and yet warm. Help us to not speak as to help others find their voice. Help those with a voice find more Love. Help us wisely consider our ways and remain with You as the One we rely upon. Help us to guide the loved ones You've given us. And let our talents rise to meet the needs as this occurs. Guide and bless our families, friends, neighbors, Churches and this nation. In Jesus we pray. Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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