Back to the Basics Devo Day 19 - August 19

A sincere and pure devotion to Jesus & His Word is what it means to GET BACK TO THE BASICS. Let’s read the entire James chapter 4 to allow the Word of God to permeate our thoughts and decisions. 

Let’s ZOOM INTO Verses 4 – 10. 

• What warning is given to us concerning the world? V.4 _______________________________________________________ (World refers to the present conditions under the power of darkness.) See also Jesus’ calling to us to serve Him alone – Matthew 6: 24; Luke 11:23. 
• What struggles do we experience within ourselves? V.5 _______________________ (Do you ever struggle with negative thoughts, feelings, desires? – this is the “spirit dwelling within us.”)
• What hope does V.6 give in our struggle ‘without’ (the world) and ‘within’ (our flesh)? “God gives greater _____________ to the humble.”

• Let’s highlight the pathway to victory over our struggles by highlighting the imperative commands in the following verses: 
• V. 7a - “_________ to God” 
• V.7b – “_______ the devil, and he will flee from you.”
• V.8a – “_________ _________ to God, and He will draw near to you.” 
• V.8b – “ _____________your hands” & “________________your hearts”
• V.9 – Express godly sorrow over personal sin and prideful decisions. 
• V.10 – “________________ yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”

Pause & reflect: Which of the above commands have you ‘lived out recently?’ _______________________________________(Celebrate the Word working in you!) 
Which of the above commands do you sense the Lord calling you to apply to your present struggle? (Filling in the following prayer). 

Prayer Prompt: “Abba Father, as I struggle with the allurement of the world and the inward battle with my flesh, I sense Your Spirit calling me to obey the command of _____________________________________________________________________________; I pray for You to give me strength to live Your Word, for I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.”