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Part 4 Wanted: Wisdom – Get It? Got It. Good!

“If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.”

James 1:5 AMPC

As we close out this 4-part wisdom series, let’s review quickly what we have learned so far. Upon recognizing our lack of wisdom, we can go directly to the Source and ask for it. In our asking, we must have faith without doubting because doubt will only leave us feeling like a storm-tossed wave – helpless and out of control. The one who doubts is like a person with two minds, thinking two different things at the same time, very unsteady and unreliable.

As we have digested James 1:5-8, you may have noticed that I skipped over the last part of verse 5. That was purposeful on my part so that I could leave you with what I perceive to be the most exciting and encouraging words found in this Scripture passage.

God promises that if we ask for wisdom HE WILL GIVE IT! Not only will He give it, but He’ll do so with generosity to everyone. That’s right, EVERYONE – not just a few, or some, or the favored, or the elite, but all. In addition, there will be no criticizing, scolding, rebuking, nitpicking, or blaming on God’s part. He does not look for a reason to withhold His wisdom.

Upon understanding what God has made available to us, it reminds me of a scene from the movie The Court Jester. The conspirator, after giving instructions to his accomplice, follows with the question, “Get it?” The accomplice quickly replies, “Got it,” and the conspirator answers, “Good!” I am certainly not suggesting that God is a schemer, but instead, He is the only wise God (Rom. 16:27). When we seek Him for wisdom in our decision making, He will give it. It’s our job to listen, get it, and follow through accordingly. If He asks, “Get it?”, I pray we can answer, “Got it.” If so, we are certain to hear, “Good!”

[Digging deeper – Matthew 7:7-8; Mark 11:24; Luke 21:15]

Finally getting it,

Beverly <><

 

Photo Credit: image courtesy of: pixabay.com

Part 3 Wanted: Wisdom – One Head, Not Two!

“If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God . . . only it must be in faith . . . For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].”
James 1:5-8 AMPC

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have two heads, thus having two minds? For most women that could be a rather disconcerting thought. I often have a difficult time making up my one mind, much less two! For most of us, I doubt we’d be as cheery as the two-headed woman pictured here.

Sometimes I have no problem making a firm decision and sticking with it. Yet, there are the harder choices such as which restaurant to pick when your husband decides to take you out, or which shirt looks best with these jeans. Then, there is the ultimate daily “What shall I cook for dinner tonight?” dilemma!

All jokes aside, we have much to learn from James’ warning in the Scripture text for today. The Amplified Bible portrays the doubter as having two minds. Other translations use descriptions like double-minded man, unstable, divided loyalty between God and the world, two-souled, indecisive, and two ways of thinking at the same time.

I saw a good illustration of the double-minded mentality on a Bonanza episode recently. The show centered on a man and his wife who had fallen on hard times and were struggling to keep their ranch. The man, wanting to provide nice things for his wife and son, had collaborated with some outlaws so he could have more money for his family. No one, his wife, friends, or even the Cartwrights’, suspected such behavior. When the truth came out, his poor choices created chaos, distrust, and great conflict for all involved. He certainly had not prayed for wisdom regarding the circumstances in his life.

O Father, we don’t want to waver in our faith and be unstable in all our ways. As the apostles of old, we plead for You to increase our faith!

[Digging deeper – Matthew 6:24; Luke 17:5-6; James 4:8]

Stay tuned for Part 4 Wanted: Wisdom – Get It? Got It. Good!

Striving for wise single-mindedness,

Beverly <><

 

Photo Credit: Image courtesy of: http://freemybrain.com/wpcontent/uploads/2009/04/two_headed.jpg

Part 2 Wanted: Wisdom – Calm Seas

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God . . . But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”
James 1:5-6 NASB

As a petite, skinny, freckled-face girl of eight or nine, our family travelled to St. Simon’s Island, GA, for vacation one summer. Playing in the ocean with my siblings, floating on inner tubes, and riding the waves brought much pleasure. But there was one day the sea was rougher than usual due to strong winds. I can remember attempting to paddle out on my float when suddenly the churning surf capsized and tumbled me relentlessly with its power. Not knowing if I was right side up or upside down, I eventually surfaced sputtering and spewing salty water that had gone up my nose. With eyes stinging and bathing suit full of sand, I fought to maintain my footing against the waves. My little frame, working hard to get back to shore, plunged forward with the waves only to succumb to the backward pull of the current. Finally, with great determination (and fear for my life), I made it to the shore, decided to call it quits, and promptly headed for the calmer waters of the hotel pool!

Our theme verse today emphasizes that asking for wisdom must be in faith. If we ask and then hesitate or have reservations, we are like waves blown about by the wind that come rushing up on shore, then quickly recede, back and forth, back, and forth. Doubt, like the wind, blows in from all directions, causing distractions and leaving us vulnerable, unstable, and unsure. The ways and ideas of the world rush in to invade our faith in God and stir up waves of indecision, back and forth, back, and forth.

The surf is great for beach lovers and thrill seekers. However, those who seek wisdom require a steady faith, not one that is wishy washy and constantly changing. Faith, like calm seas, will provide the much needed and longed-for serenity, security, and steadfastness. Our request for wisdom is sure to follow. [Digging deeper – Matthew 17:20, 21:21-22; Ephesians 4:14; Hebrews 11:1, 6]

Stay tuned for Part 3 Wanted: Wisdom – One Head, Not Two!

Smooth sailing,

Beverly <><

 

Photo Credit: images courtesy of: pixabay.com