James 4:13-17

God is forgotten about, but he is not absent.

Urgency doesn’t equate to rush. Jesus didn’t rush.

My expectations can inhibit my willingness for change.

Most important thing for all eternity is Christ.

Death/physical absence of the other doesn’t discount all that went before in the relationship.

Hard for us to depend on the Lord’s will because we have to put ourselves in God’s way, to go deeper into him.

I need an accurate/truthful picture of God to trust him and be willing for his will over mine.

Why I boast – no appreciation of God’s sovereignty, will, provision. It helps to see each other at eye level, equality.

Do I replace God with myself? Up and down – sometimes yes, sometimes no. Therefore I need accountability – going to church, Bible study, intimate relationships etc.

The Word of God is the yardstick.

Happiness is a by-product, not a goal.

“The thing is, as Christians we know we struggle with sin and we often forget about God. Sin is a big deal before God, yet we don’t often see our sin as that big of a deal. We profess and believe in God, we know God is supreme, we know what his will is and yet we often go and disobey him. The desire to do the will of God is the mark of a transformed life.“

Impressions during a difficult week.

Thanks to Leslie, Tom, Neil, Alison and Lecia.