James 4:9-13 and an Update

Hello girls!
What a beautiful day! I am sitting at my little computer table in our living room by a slightly-open window and the birds are singing their songs and the sun is so bright and joyful today! :) I am home today, recovering from a cold that ran me right over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I literally have spent the last three days at work and then asleep in bed the moment I got home. It's been a tough weekend, but I was thankful to have the opportunity for all that sleep, because I'm feeling alot better! A wide array of things have kept me from checking in here as regularly as I'd like, and I've missed doing so, also! Another reason I am grateful for a quiet hour on this gorgeous day to catch up in my Bible and with you girls!
If you've been keeping up with the study templates for each week (I find them so helpful in making the most of the verse/s we read for each day!), then here are the final weeks' printables. Including this week, only 4 weeks left in our James bible study! I can't believe how fast it's gone... :( And I am excited for what the other ladies over on GMG.org will come up with for the next session's study! Since it will lead us into the (more relaxing and flexible) summer months, I hope you'll be interested in joining me again! Please comment on that note, if you would! :)

Week 9 Printable

Week 10 Printable

Week 11 Printable

When I read verse 9 about changing our laughter to mourning and our joy to gloom, I was puzzled, much like other times I've come across that verse. Once again, my trusty commentary cleared up my confusion as to why God would ask us, the salt of the earth, to behave depressed, and act sad and gloomy!? IF our joy (and laughter, delight, etc.) is in the things of this world, in the sinful nature we are to be putting off, IF we love and laugh over sin, THEN we ought to change it to mourning and gloom! God is saying here that he only wants our joy and excitement and laughter to be over good things, godly things, over lifestyles and choices that please and delight Him also!
I needed to share that, in case any of you girls also fould that verse hard to understand...
Also, today's reading set the stage for my week. In a sense, I really felt James was addressing me directly! Right now, Pete and I ARE making lots of plans to move to a new city, to work and "make money"; and that is all right and good if we're planning with the Lord's will in mind. All of our plans are meager attempts to orchestrate something that is so much bigger than us. I was reminded by verse 13 (and this week's upcoming verses) that God's plan will prevail. I don't want to do or plan anything without his guidance and blessing and of course, not without consulting him first!

This week, I pray that we all would let God guide our days, and that we would ask for his help in making godly decisions, knowing that he works everything for our good. Looking forward to hearing from the rest of you too!
Please say a prayer for me that I continue to feel like myself again, with more energy for all that's required of me in the coming days and weeks!
Love you all :)
~Cait