Friday, August 10, 2018

Wisdom to do Otherwise

So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 
Ephesians 4:14 

God gives us wisdom when we ask, but it is up to us to have the faith to apply that wisdom.  If we will not apply faith that works and ask God for His wisdom in our times of trials, we should not entertain ideas that God will give us anything for help. And this puts us in the category of a doubled minded person, a fence straddle:  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.  James 1:6-7
We're too much like the guy caught in a flood.  He first had opportunity to get out by car and said he would stay with his house. As the water got deeper he prayed for God to save him.  A boat came by to offer him a ride out.  But he refused stating God would save him.  Well the water became too deep to stay inside the house, so he climbed out on the roof.  A helicopter came by offering to rescue him, but again he refused with the thoughts that God would save him.  He drowned in the flood.  When appearing before God he said, "God I prayed for You to rescue me and You let me drown!"  God said, you prayed, and I sent a boat and a helicopter by to save you, but you refused!
I don’t know about you, but unfortunately, I can identify with the guy in that story. It can be difficult to know exactly what God is telling us to do in some situations. We don’t want to do the wrong thing, so we don’t do anything, which turns out to be the wrong thing! I may have missed some rescue boats or planes that God sent my way a time or two, for fear of it not being a God sent boat, but one sent by the devil in my time of vulnerability and weakness. Only prayer and staying close to God can help us know the right things to do, which boats, and planes are sent by Him.  It may be necessary to step back and look at exactly where the rescue is coming from and what is the motive.  Well meaning friends always have loads of wisdom, and they do really mean well, but you really have to turn to God to discern it all. 
Stability or instability, which do we want in our lives?  Instability is the easiest. We simply live a life full of worry, and constant questioning of God over our circumstances. And the answer never appears on the horizon. 
If we want stability we must ask God for His wisdom and then believe God will see us through the trials. Stable faith we might call it. 
The faith God wants in our lives is 100% pure ... no mixture of selfish motives.  This faith is filled with wisdom that is willing to yield to God's Word.  Wise faith produces good fruits in our lives.  It's the faith that works, no matter the trials or circumstance. 

Scripture to Claim:  
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.  James 3:17

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