James: "Listening to the challenges," Lesson 6

The Challenge of Desires and Security: James 4:1-17

Part 6 of our series through the book of James. After listening to the sermon, take some time to reflect over the following questions:

DESIRES

REFLECT:

• Who do you conflict with the most? 
• How might God be jealous of your affections right now? 
• When have you experienced judgment? 
• When have you judged others? 
• When has someone’s opinion let you down?

EXAMEN: 

• In quiet attention to God’s loving presence, reflect on the challenges of desires. 
• In gratitude, when have you been strengthened by grace and truth? 
• How are you feeling about desires?
• What is something about desires that you can talk to God about? 
• What is something about desires you can look forward to? 
• Seek God’s guidance, help, and understanding. Pray for grace and truth.

EXERCISE: 

• Consider Jesus’s question: “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51) 
• Make a list of your desires.  Look at the list and consider: 
  1. How many of these desires are for things? 
  2. How many are for personal pleasure, power, or achievements? 
  3. How many are for a change of circumstances? 
  4. How many are for character development? 
• Read Psalm 103, 145, and 37 Spend time praying for God’s Holy Spirit to guide you into desiring God’s priorities.

SECURITY

REFLECT: 

• When has it felt like God has “let you down”? 
• What do you have control over in your life? 
• When has God lifted you up?
• What is your confidence in? 
• What does your life glorify? 
• How might you need to “reset” your attitudes? 
• What has disappeared from your life like a puff of smoke?

EXAMEN: 

• In quiet attention to God’s loving presence, reflect on the challenges of security. 
• In gratitude, when have you been strengthened by trust? 
• How are you feeling about security? 
• What is something about security that you can talk to God about? 
• What is something about security you can look forward to? 
• Seek God’s guidance, help, and understanding. Pray for trust.

EXERCISE: 

• List the things that give you a sense of security. 
• Imagine each one being in God’s strong hands 
• Pray for each one and say, “Your will be done.”

ALL QUESTIONS FROM: Prette, Dr. James A.. Listening to the Challenges: A Devotional Commentary on the New Testament Letter of James. Kindle Edition. Used with permission.