How to do this thing called life...

I love when I get revelation from the Lord on a word. Its simple and not "deep" but it was something that God spoke to me. I always write these down because I know He has a purpose. Whether it be for me immediately or rather something He will use for someone else. So here it is...

James 4:7-10 (NKJV)

v.7 "Therefor submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
~How many times have you heard that scripture? I have heard it most of my life...but as I read this, I began to realize something.... The first part of this scripture is often left off... But the Lord revealed to me that this is the most important part of this.... "Submit to God!" Submit: to give over or yield to the power or authority of another... We must give over our lives and yield to God! Our life, our thoughts, our actions all have to be submitted to Him! If not, then we have no authority over the enemy. We can't resist him if we haven't submitted our lives to the Lord! You will not have authority over the enemy if God doesn't have full authority over you! Wow...I began to pray that any area in my life that He doesn't have authority over, I give it fully to Him!! I want the full advantage of this word!

V.8 goes on to say, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." Turn to God, go towards Him with your life and He will in return come to you. You have to turn away from your old ways, old life, old desires. Wash yourself of the way you were before the Lord and make your heart pure.

So 1st-Submit to God. Resist the devil. Draw near to God. Be cleansed and Purified!
 
I like how the New Living Translation puts v.9...
^"Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy." I can tell you that when you began to go towards the Lord and you see all you have done to keep you from His love, it will bring about deep sorrow. I knew I had not been where I needed to be and when changes started to be made, it brought about some sadness that I had missed out on what He had for me and also what pain He must have felt when I turned from Him. I desired forgiveness and guess what...HE IS READY TO GIVE IT! Thank you Lord!

Once we make this change, we can then do Verse 10

v.10 "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."  I like this definition of humble..."to destroy the independence, power, or will of" ...Destroy the independence of thinking you are bigger than Him and you can do it by yourself...give up your own will power and allow Him to be Lord over your life! Because I can promise you when you Submit to God, cleanse and purify yourself and your life, and become humble...HE WILL LIFT YOU UP!!!  He will bring about new heights you never dreamed of.

Thank you Lord that Humility cures worldliness! Thank you for loving us and giving us life! Show us Lord when aren't going in the right direction so that we can turn back to you. We submit our lives so that we can be a listening vessel to you. We resist all the devil has for us because we just want more of you!!! Thank you God for lifting us up and keeping us in your hand!

"He's got the whole world in His hand..."