Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
–Â James 4:8-10
Draw near: James reminds us that God meets us when we move toward Him. Cleanse and purify: Spiritual closeness begins with honest self-examination, confess what’s wrong, let go of divided loyalties, and ask God to renew your motives. Humble yourself: Sorrow for sin and a humble heart aren’t signs of defeat but the soil where God lifts us up. Let’s, take a practical step and spend five minutes naming one thing you need to confess, pray it aloud, and ask God for the grace to change. Its not hard because God is the only one that can hear you and help you fix it. God will also send encouragers in your life to help you through it all. He doesn’t tell them what you and Him talked about. So, count your blessings through it all.
Dear Blessed Lord Jesus, I come to You now; search my heart and show me where I am divided. Cleanse my hands and purify my motives. Give me the humility to mourn what separates me from You and the courage to turn away from it. Lift me up by Your mercy and draw me closer to You. Love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Your Mighty Precious Name Lord Jesus Amen.
"Only Life Changes" 