Divided Loyalty

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. (James 4:8 NLT)

I have been praying for help from God about things I have been struggling with. Waiting for answers. Waiting for a miraculous change. Hoping that the next morning that I will wake up and be the person I long to be. This morning as I was praying and seeking God, my precious Heavenly Father showed me the solution that I have been looking for. James 4:8 says that the answer to my prayer is an action that I have to take. I have to come closer to God. I have to wash my hands of sin. I have to purify my heart by staying in the Word and being obedient to him. If I want to wake up and be the person that I want to be, I have to take action. God will help me and give me the strength and power that I need but I have to do my part.

My heart is divided. It is divided between my desire for God and my desire for the things of the world.

Teach me your way, Lord,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name. (Psalm 86:11 NIV)

This is my prayer for this week. I want an undivided heart. So much. More than anything. God is faithful. I must remember that. I must rely on His faithfulness. When I do, my desires will change. God will truly be the one and only desire of my heart! An undivided heart!

Being real

Last night I went to see Chonda Pierce, the Christian comedian. I expected to go and laugh until my face hurt and my abs hurt. That did happen. However, it was more than that. After intermission, she told her life story. She was so real and so open about the things that had happened to her in her life. But then she talked about the things that were going on in her life right now. These things were not pretty things. They were real issues. Serious issues. Her life is far from the perfect happy life we think someone who is a Christian should have. She struggles with depression. Her husband struggles with alcoholism. She and her daughter have a strained relationship. Her mother passed away a few weeks ago. But her message was to live for Jesus. I struggle with things that I am not ready to share. I struggle with thoughts that are not godly. I struggle with habits that are not godly. I struggle with emotions that are not godly. I would be so embarrassed if anyone knew. But I know God knows and He loves me anyway and He will never leave me or forsake me. It is only by His grace and mercy that I am saved. :)