James 4:9-10

9. "[As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins]."

Now... the attitude brought before the Lord we read here in verse 9, should be achieved easily from someone who has experienced what God asked us to do in the last few verses. Obeying the leading of the Holy Spirit... resisting the same old sins we have held onto until now... because we are more aware of our shame. Our realization of the disqustful things we were involved in and the holiness God insists from us, we should be very humbled. Our hearts should be grieved. It's part of the cleansing... we are now on our way to rejoicing. Amen.

10. "Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant]."

We've been tried by fire and come through the other side with God and it is humbling. We see what was wrong before and we are humbled. God promises to pick us up now, and exalt us... and we are better by it.

Let's pick up with James verse 4:11 next time.

I love you.