There Are No Stupid Questions!
James Chapter OneThis is a very hard chapter to choose just one verse from. I could spend at least a month teaching from this chapter. I have chosen verse 5 as my verse.
Scripture:
James 1:5 (N.I.V.) “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
James 1:5 (N.L.T.) “If you need wisdom--if you want to know what God wants you to do--ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.”
Observation:
I have used this verse so many times especially when I am doing counseling, need to know about scripture or just to make a tough decision. The answer doesn’t always come immediately but it always comes. If you need an answer God will give it to you. I love what the N.L.T. states; “He will not resent your asking.” We often have a stigma about asking questions. As a child we wear our parents out by asking too many questions. Think about when you were in school, the kid that keeps asking questions gets in trouble for just asking questions. But God doesn’t care how many questions we ask. In fact, I believe that He actually loves our questions. He is never annoyed and he never grows weary of our inquiries. I have even had an image of my Heavenly Father, like a Geppetto (from Pinocchio) looking man, actually smiling and looking thrilled with my questions. The look on His face was that He was proud that I wasn’t afraid to ask and that He actually thought I was smart for even doing it. Wow! That is a much different image than feeling like you are bothering someone or annoying them with your stupid questions. I don’t have to earn the right to ask God questions nor the right to have them answered.
Application:
I have learned so much just by asking! If I don’t understand something in the Word of God I ask the Holy Spirit to explain it to me. If I need to have an answer about some decision or issue in my life I ask for wisdom. God helps me know what to do or tells me to go ahead and not worry about making a wrong decision. That is just incredible! The next verse though, verse 6 says to not doubt that the answer will come. I have to go on with my life but believe that sooner or later I will get my answer. I have been reading the Word and there the answer will be. I have heard other conversations or somebody preaching or teaching and boom I will be prompted in my thoughts that I just heard my answer. I have been watching movies or even television and suddenly I will hear the answer. I have received answers in so many ways and sometimes they have not arrived for a long time but if you don’t doubt but just believe and wait, the answer will come! I especially appreciate the fact that God will help you when you are counseling with someone or someone has asked you a really tough question. Come on, how would I know what to say? I ask God for wisdom and it is unbelievable the things that will come to me. Remember Solomon asked for wisdom and that was the most important request that he made. Jesus is wisdom, and He knows what is happening in the persons thoughts and in their lives (see I Corinthians 2:10-16).
Prayer:
Lord, I want to thank you that you are so faithful to answer our questions. I am so grateful that my questions do not bother you. I am constantly amazed that I can ask as many questions as I need. I am blown away that you actually encourage me to ask. I want to have an even greater relationship with you. I need to constantly remember that I can ask questions. I need to remember that you are the source of all truth therefore the provider of true wisdom. I worship you for the kind and gentle ways that you teach your children.
Listening skills- Have we ever heard of a "listening" seminar? There are several tools available that helps us communicate effectively. The most important one of them all, is the the skill of "listening." I was watching a video clip last night of a dog barking at a cat, a poster of a cat that is. To hear the truth and then to proceed in understanding perception, can eliminate many conflicts. Verse 19 says "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." This very verse if filled with wisdom- How often do we get upset over a "misunderstanding" that could have been dealt with if more listening skills were applied? Verse 5 tells us "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." God has given us tools and suggestions in HIS word to be successful and live uprightly. Christ is the foundation of our faith, love is the second layer that fortifies this solid foundation. James 1 is so rich with words of wisdom, it's worth reading more than once. I pray that the eyes of my heart be opened, to see and understand what God's plan and purpose is for my life and for yours. I challenge the readers of this blog to be quick to listen today and slow to anger. If anger comes up, make sure you have a full understanding of the situation- When someone talks today, pay attention to their words instead of think of your reply.
Be blessed.
Posted by
testingitgabylynn |
2:18 PM
Use it or lose it!
As I watch the painful news of the struggle Israel is fighting with the terrorists, it is evident that our faith is being subjected to the same onslaught. The devil wants us lame and quiet yet God is saying stir yourself up and DO SOMETHING! V 2 bluntly tells us to "consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the TESTING OF YOUR FAITH DEVELOPS PERSEVERANCE" which enables us to become MATURE BELIEVERS! The times we live in require maturity which basically means TRUSTING OUR GOD AND HIS WORD TO THE MAX.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the strength to keep my mouth shut ( I mouthe off so easily) and to listen to that still small voice of Yours that reveals such precious and powerful truths to me, enabling me to mature on a daily basis. I decree that in Christ Jesus, I am a mature DOER OF YOUR WORD. To You be all the Glory.
Denise Scaglione
Posted by
Anonymous |
4:45 PM
As I was reading James chapter 1 today, yes I am behind, LOL, I was struck by verse 18:
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. NIV
The first thing that occured to me was, "Wow, sounds a lot like John 3:16!" I highlighted the verse and came back to it later. As I pored over this verse I cross referenced 4 separate bible translations/versions and researched each original meaning using the Greek word study. What I found for myself was the original conclusion, that God saved us through is Son. What I did not find, because I was looking with my mind and not my spirit, was what God wanted me to know. I realized this and just did as Pastor says God wants us to do, ask Him questions. I asked God to reveal to me what he wanted for me to understand about this verse when I highlighted it hours before. I began to discuss the verse with Shelley and once again I became hung up on the term "firstfruits". I acknowledged my understanding that this is the term for our tithes. This is what the farmers considered their very best. What was finally revealed to me, through my lovely wife, imagine that , :), was that the farmers held back their first fruits to re plant for the next harvest. Wow! This is what continued the next generation of crops, this was, in essence, their very livelihood and existence. To give this up would be a huge sacrifice. This is what we are asked to do, give the Lord our lives and he will return it 10 fold! As I type this the personal revelation continues. I must daily and continually sacrifice myself for the glory of God Almighty!
My prayer: Lord continue to bless me through my daily study in your word. Strenghten me to be a mirror to You and your Glory. To continually sacrifice myself for your glory and your kingdom! You have counted me as your own and I pray that I would not miss a single opportunity to help another person realize this very same thing in their lives. Amen.
Posted by
Anonymous |
10:44 PM