Sunday, September 6
Conflict between God and the World
Speaker: Melissa Pillman
“What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?” - James 4:1 (NLT)
Devotional
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble”. Here James draws from Proverbs 3:34 and the wisdom of the Bible. He speaks to the inherent conflict between the way of the world and the way of God. The way of the world is rooted in violence and opposition whereas the way of God is peace and unity. With self-examination one discovers that worldly desires exist within the Christian and non-Christian. Friendship with God gradually uproots these desires and gives hope in promise. The promise of this passage is two dual fold. First, “resist the devil, and he will flee from you”. Second, “come close to God, and God will come close to you”.
Discussion
What do families and friends fight about? Think about any recent conflict and share with the group if you feel comfortable.
What does James say is the root cause of fights and quarrels between people?
Define “humble” and list what humility produces.
Prayer
Pray in a posture of humility and confession (on your knees with face bowed down if possible) against the desires within all of us that cause disruption, disunity, and dissonance in the family of God and in our world.
After, in a posture of drawing near to God (on your knees with hands raised upward), ask the Lord to renew, sanctify, and restore the broken parts of our desires and hearts. Trust in the finished work of Jesus to accomplish that restoration.
Practice
Daily Prayer Guide
Readings
Prayer of Examen
Invite God into your prayer and ask for the grace to see yourself honestly as you review your day using the five steps below as a guide. Meditate on your responses or journal as you move through the reflections.
- Express gratitude
- Review the day
- Name your sorrows
- Seek forgiveness
- Ask for grace for tomorrow
Weekly Prayer
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Readings
Prayer of Examen
Invite God into your prayer and ask for the grace to see yourself honestly as you review your day using the five steps below as a guide. Meditate on your responses or journal as you move through the reflections.
- Express gratitude
- Review the day
- Name your sorrows
- Seek forgiveness
- Ask for grace for tomorrow
Weekly Prayer
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Readings
Prayer of Examen
Invite God into your prayer and ask for the grace to see yourself honestly as you review your day using the five steps below as a guide. Meditate on your responses or journal as you move through the reflections.
- Express gratitude
- Review the day
- Name your sorrows
- Seek forgiveness
- Ask for grace for tomorrow
Weekly Prayer
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Readings
Prayer of Examen
Invite God into your prayer and ask for the grace to see yourself honestly as you review your day using the five steps below as a guide. Meditate on your responses or journal as you move through the reflections.
- Express gratitude
- Review the day
- Name your sorrows
- Seek forgiveness
- Ask for grace for tomorrow
Weekly Prayer
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Readings
Prayer of Examen
Invite God into your prayer and ask for the grace to see yourself honestly as you review your day using the five steps below as a guide. Meditate on your responses or journal as you move through the reflections.
- Express gratitude
- Review the day
- Name your sorrows
- Seek forgiveness
- Ask for grace for tomorrow
Weekly Prayer
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Readings
Prayer of Examen
Invite God into your prayer and ask for the grace to see yourself honestly as you review your day using the five steps below as a guide. Meditate on your responses or journal as you move through the reflections.
- Express gratitude
- Review the day
- Name your sorrows
- Seek forgiveness
- Ask for grace for tomorrow
Weekly Prayer
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.