"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 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 1:5-8 ESV
- No one is disqualified from getting wisdom from God because of a pre-existing condition
- God gives generously
- God won't 'reproach' those who ask. He won't taunt, revile or 'make fun' of anyone. Shame should not prevent anyone from asking
- The doubter disqualifies themselves
- Doubt creates instability that resembles a ship tossed in a storm
- Doubt is functioning in an identity that is split into two opposing 'minds'
- The doubter must not 'suppose' (an interesting word that means think but it is a verb in the middle voice so the person is also the recipient of the action of the verb) that they will receive anything from the Lord. I think the word 'suppose' is key to understanding this passage properly
- Asking 'in faith' is a key component. No one is disqualified but not everyone gets wisdom. Asking with a particular mindset is needed
The author is inspired by God and He is telling us something here. He is giving us the ability to problem-solve with God.
This is a great passage to talk to God about. We can't be in that 'in faith' pocket apart from that dynamic.
I lack wisdom. My day is far from cut and dry. I love that I can come agenda-free to God and say, 'I want to collaborate with you.' and He is available to that. The disciples didn't 'suppose they would receive anything' from Jesus and when they did He gently rebuked them. He was for them but His actions were not centered around them. He was seeking to save and redeem what was lost. I want that wisdom today. I want to be free from arguing with myself about myself and worrying that a won't have what I need if things don't turn out a certain way.
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Showing posts with label Doubt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Doubt. Show all posts
Friday, November 15, 2019
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
A Single Eye
Doubt is a crazy thing. Grace is insulation against doubt. When we are established in grace it begins to manage our expectations and when our expectations are right the lines of communication can remain open.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 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 1:5-8 ESV
There is a confidence that can develop from consistent nonjudgmental communication. When someone knows you but the don't know you after your faults.
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." - 1 Peter 5:6-8 ESV
Our single mindedness can be eaten up when the lines of communication get dried up.
"But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." - Romans 10:8-10 ESV
There are times when I just put everything on the shelf and just start confessing truth to God. I tell Him what He already knows. I describe Him and praise Him for the description. I relinquish control. I pour out my concerns. My vision is narrowed and the blinders go on. He is my only concern. He is the only thing I care about. He is the only person in the room.
If I try to do that but can't I realize that my attachments to people, relationships or things have gotten unhealthy. Addiction has set in or I am on the path to it.
Correct order is that nothing comes before God... not even the preservation of my own life.
When grace comes into sharp focus doubt dissolves like a shadow. The God of grace can do anything. He Is free to function any way that falls within the boundaries of His character and God is good in every way.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 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 1:5-8 ESV
There is a confidence that can develop from consistent nonjudgmental communication. When someone knows you but the don't know you after your faults.
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." - 1 Peter 5:6-8 ESV
Our single mindedness can be eaten up when the lines of communication get dried up.
"But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." - Romans 10:8-10 ESV
There are times when I just put everything on the shelf and just start confessing truth to God. I tell Him what He already knows. I describe Him and praise Him for the description. I relinquish control. I pour out my concerns. My vision is narrowed and the blinders go on. He is my only concern. He is the only thing I care about. He is the only person in the room.
If I try to do that but can't I realize that my attachments to people, relationships or things have gotten unhealthy. Addiction has set in or I am on the path to it.
Correct order is that nothing comes before God... not even the preservation of my own life.
When grace comes into sharp focus doubt dissolves like a shadow. The God of grace can do anything. He Is free to function any way that falls within the boundaries of His character and God is good in every way.
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Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Stay In Jerusalem
Ah, Yes. The impossible situation. No answer in sight and emotions charged up to the hilt. Ever been there?
"On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord." - John 20:19-20 ESV
Jesus had been killed and they were sure they were next. Can't go this way or that way. Caught between a rock and a hard place.
I often think of this verse when my back seems to be up against the wall or I have painted myself into a corner somehow.
He walked through the wall peaceful and healthy and showed them His hands and side. It was like He was saying, 'See, The impossible is possible. God brings life out of death.'
That is so comforting to me. I don't even to know how to express how comforting it is.
Sure, Sometimes it is just our poor planning that gets us into impossible situations. Go ahead and take a moment to condemn yourself. That always works out well. Reminisce with 'what if' statements and 'maybe I should have done it this way or that way' conjectures.
I imagine the disciples were full of that thinking... trapped in a room with dwindling options and emotional disturbances.
But, Then Jesus walks in. All their self-justification and self-recrimination just fades away. I love this next part. To be perfectly honest I hate it and love it at the same time.
"He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, 'you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.' " - Acts 1:3-5 ESV
Did He say, 'Ok. Get out of this stuffy old room and sneak out of town. Go start over in Bethany. I will make sure you will be safe there. This will all blow over soon.'
No.
He commands them to stay free right there in Jerusalem. He calmly challenges them to use His promise against the fear that wants to eat them alive and consume their thinking. Power is coming. Power that overwhelms fear. Power that redeems lives. Power.
Fear is a bully. We can run and then make leaving and starting over a lifestyle or we can stay and fight fear with faith. Standing in grace insulates us from the violent electrical current that would otherwise energize a person.
God isn't always going to give use all the details of His plan. He gives use grace and promises. His grace is enough until He fills our gaps with His glory.
--
"On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord." - John 20:19-20 ESV
Jesus had been killed and they were sure they were next. Can't go this way or that way. Caught between a rock and a hard place.
I often think of this verse when my back seems to be up against the wall or I have painted myself into a corner somehow.
He walked through the wall peaceful and healthy and showed them His hands and side. It was like He was saying, 'See, The impossible is possible. God brings life out of death.'
That is so comforting to me. I don't even to know how to express how comforting it is.
Sure, Sometimes it is just our poor planning that gets us into impossible situations. Go ahead and take a moment to condemn yourself. That always works out well. Reminisce with 'what if' statements and 'maybe I should have done it this way or that way' conjectures.
I imagine the disciples were full of that thinking... trapped in a room with dwindling options and emotional disturbances.
But, Then Jesus walks in. All their self-justification and self-recrimination just fades away. I love this next part. To be perfectly honest I hate it and love it at the same time.
"He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, 'you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.' " - Acts 1:3-5 ESV
Did He say, 'Ok. Get out of this stuffy old room and sneak out of town. Go start over in Bethany. I will make sure you will be safe there. This will all blow over soon.'
No.
He commands them to stay free right there in Jerusalem. He calmly challenges them to use His promise against the fear that wants to eat them alive and consume their thinking. Power is coming. Power that overwhelms fear. Power that redeems lives. Power.
Fear is a bully. We can run and then make leaving and starting over a lifestyle or we can stay and fight fear with faith. Standing in grace insulates us from the violent electrical current that would otherwise energize a person.
God isn't always going to give use all the details of His plan. He gives use grace and promises. His grace is enough until He fills our gaps with His glory.
--
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