Out of Alignment
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God…Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:4, 7-8)
When we get frustrated with what is happening in our lives, it is often because we are more concerned about getting what we want, rather than being aligned with who God is. We get bogged down by our own selfishness. We say we are following Christ, but our actions prove that we are more interested in following our own plans and desires.
This is where frustration arrives. We feel unsettled, confused, and flustered because we continue to ride the fence, refusing to give up our agenda for the sake of fully following the Lord.
We can’t live in peace when we follow the world. That was the point James was making when he said, You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? (James 4:4)
God doesn’t want you to have a dichotomized life between the secular and the spiritual. He wants you to be in alignment with Him. Amazing things can happen when we surrender our own plans and desires, and align ourselves with the One whose plans and desires are so much greater.
Once we align ourselves with Him, we realize that we need Jesus more than we need anything Jesus could do for us. We need Him more than we need the position, the power, the influence, or the desires we are asking Him to provide. We can’t let ourselves believe the lie that we need His blessing more than we need Him.
Do you feel out of alignment? Have you been chasing the blessings more than you have been chasing the One who blesses? If so, pray and ask the Lord today to align your heart with His. Surrender your plans and desires to Him, and watch how the Lord honors your obedience and submission.
When we get frustrated with what is happening in our lives, it is often because we are more concerned about getting what we want, rather than being aligned with who God is. We get bogged down by our own selfishness. We say we are following Christ, but our actions prove that we are more interested in following our own plans and desires.
This is where frustration arrives. We feel unsettled, confused, and flustered because we continue to ride the fence, refusing to give up our agenda for the sake of fully following the Lord.
We can’t live in peace when we follow the world. That was the point James was making when he said, You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? (James 4:4)
God doesn’t want you to have a dichotomized life between the secular and the spiritual. He wants you to be in alignment with Him. Amazing things can happen when we surrender our own plans and desires, and align ourselves with the One whose plans and desires are so much greater.
Once we align ourselves with Him, we realize that we need Jesus more than we need anything Jesus could do for us. We need Him more than we need the position, the power, the influence, or the desires we are asking Him to provide. We can’t let ourselves believe the lie that we need His blessing more than we need Him.
Do you feel out of alignment? Have you been chasing the blessings more than you have been chasing the One who blesses? If so, pray and ask the Lord today to align your heart with His. Surrender your plans and desires to Him, and watch how the Lord honors your obedience and submission.
Recent
Archive
2023
January
Finding Godly MentorsYes and No in ScriptureFocus Like an ArcherSeeking the Presence of GodA Defining EncounterOnly by GraceOvercoming ExhaustionExcited and Expectant over PrayerThe Five Parts of PrayerThe Still Small VoiceThe Lord’s Amazing PowerHandling PersecutionDiving into God’s WordReceiving EncouragementA Desire To ServeGiving and ServingA Thrill RideThe Sweet Voice of GodGet off the BenchOut of AlignmentFrustration Is InevitableListening Instead of TalkingWatch God MoveWalking in the LightKnown by Your FruitThe Good ShepherdBoldly Stand for ChristHonor the LordPraying in FaithDealing with DoubtLearning To Be Alone
2022
September
Never Stop WorshipingWalking Humbly with GodIt’s All About JesusPraise the LordPraying To Remind YourselfReal FriendsReplacing GodSpecific ConfessionSpiritual AlignmentThis World Is Not Our HomeOpen the GatesAre You Thirsty?Quiet Time Fills YouWait in ObedienceListen to GodRun to GodThe Power of the CrossRemember the MomentSheep and PigsIn Your Pain, God Is NearThe Purpose of Your PainIt’s Okay To GrieveFriendship During LossGod Heals BrokennessRelease PeopleDon’t Worship Your PastorBroken over SinCaring People WeepChoose Joy over WorryYour Life Is an Example
October
Think Before You SpeakThe Spiritual BattleSaved by GraceEngaged GivingTransformational GivingA Sacred SermonPreaching Your SermonProtection from EvilYour Training ManualHearing Directly from GodDo Not WorryFollow Godly ExamplesBenefits of PraisePraising GodBe Persistent in PrayerGet into the Game!Biblical Decision-MakingThe Lord Will ProvideBorn and Born AgainAligning with God’s PlansDelight Yourself in JesusThe Danger of AddictionEternal SecurityAre You Stuck in Your Sin?
4 Comments
May I be aligned with God and following Jesus today 🙏
Yes - Glory to God.
AMEN
I have found that when I sit still and let God, alignment is simple. The freedom comes in peace