Eternal Perspective, James 1:9-11

SERVE, verse 1: James humbly opens by introducing himself, not as half-brother to God, but as a bondservant. One who willingly has no possessions of his own, but who lovingly, gives his all in service to his Lord.

Let’s get one thing straight, says James, right out of the gate, as leader of the Jerusalem Church, I am first and foremost, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

JOY, verses 2-4: As we serve the Lord and each other, we can count on having trouble, and when we do, count it all joy. Let joy be our travel tunes, to help us smile through the trials.

WISDOM, verses 5-8: To navigate the trials, we need wisdom from above. If any lacks wisdom, ask of God who gives in abundance, but only if we ask in faith, no wavering, no doubting.

Thus, we journey humbly, serve joyfully, filled with wisdom from above.

PERSPECTIVE, verses 9-11. Which brings us to where we continue our journey through James.

James 1:9-11
Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, ¹⁰ but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. ¹¹ For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

That may sound like a comparison between the rich and the poor.

However, considering the context, and definitions of the original text, we see the Lord is still talking about our journey.

It’s really, really, short.

So, it’s really, really, important we keep our trajectory on Eternity.

Note, in the first line, both the lowly and the rich are told to glory (rejoice). The lowly in his exaltation and the rich in his humiliation, and for some reason that is reason to celebrate, to glory in, to rejoice.

Why?

Well to see, we must uncover some hidden treasure.

Let the lowly brother...  

In the Kingdom of God, we’re brothers and sisters, family. Rich, poor, slave, free, red, yellow, black or white, we’re family.

Galatians 3:27-29
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Romans 8:16-18
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. ¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

⁹Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, ¹⁰ but the rich in his humiliation,

Lowly: tapeinos: Humble, lowly 

Humiliation: tapeinósis: lowliness, abasement.

Lowly and humiliation are basically the same word.

Matthew 28-29. Come unto Me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Now look at the word in the middle where X marks the spot of a beautiful hidden treasure.

Exultation (Greek: hupsos): Height, high place, on high, exaltation.

Luke 1:78. Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from has visited us from on high (hupsos).

Luke 24:29. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (hupsos).

Ephesians 4:8. Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high (hupsos), He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.”

The Dayspring (Jesus) from on high (heaven). Endued with Power from on high (heaven). He ascended on high (heaven)...

Heaven is a wonderful reason to glory.

Let the lowly brother glory in his heavenly Home.

Ephesians 2:4-6
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus

That’s great, but what about the rich guy? He’s supposed to glory in humiliation?

James 4:10. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

1 Peter 5:6. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

The rich rejoices that he is humbled to his heavenly Home.  

The world’s economy is opposite the Kingdom of God.

The world says the lowly should long to be rich, but the Kingdom of God says the rich should long to be lowly.

Glory in the ability to find humility.

¹⁰...because as a flower of the field he will pass away. ¹¹ For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

Matthew 18:3 “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

In the Kingdom of Heaven, the lowly are leaders, the first are last, the greatest Servant of all is King of all, and only the humble are allowed to enter.

Jesus said it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:24.

Not impossible.

Not easy.

The camel must kneel.

We must too.

Thus, with an Eternal Perspective, we gladly glory in humility, knowing that's when and where we are exalted on high together with Him.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for becoming the Way, so we can be family, together, with You, forever. Help us keep an Eternal Perspective, allowing You to use us to make an Eternal difference to all those You’ve given us, so none are lost.

Thank You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

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The Divine Timing of Operation Epic Fury & Roaring Lion

   

Divine Timing

If you want to know the past or the future, look at God’s calendar—the Bible.

If you want to know what time it is, look at His clock—Israel.

Now, there’s two types of time. Chronos and Kairos.

Chronos is earth’s clock.

Kairos is Heaven’s.

God uses Heaven’s clock. He operates in the fullness of time. When the time is Right.

Galatians 4:4
 “But when the fullness of the time (kairos) had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

When Kairos and Chronos collide, the world calls it coincidence, but the Ekklésia, those who are listening, call it, Providence.

When it happens, pay attention, because it’s there, in the fullness of time, God moves and speaks.

He begins with a whisper, a still, small, voice, so those who are listening, won’t miss His Kairos moment.

It may look something like this:

A week ago, Saturday night I felt the Lord wanted us to pray for rain at the start of the Sunday morning service. I immediately thought of the Highland’s County drought post and added it to our PowerPoint presentation.

Sunday morning we read James 5:17-18.

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

Then, we prayed something like this:

Lord Jesus, according to Your Word, we have a nature like Elijah. According to Your Word, he prayed, and it rained. According to Your Word, we're to bring our requests to You. Therefore, according to Your Word, like Elijah, we pray for rain. We pray, not only for physical rain that waters fields, but an outpouring of Your Spirit, that waters souls, bearing fruit to an Eternal Harvest.

Thank You Lord, for hearing and healing our thirsty land.

We trust and love You forever.

Amen.

After the service, as folks were leaving, I said: "Don't forget your umbrella.”

Then about an hour or so after Church... it rained.

Kairos

God prompted us to pray.

We did.

It rained.

Divine Timing.

From that day to this it’s rained multiple times, it looks like it’s fixin’ to rain right now.

The world calls it coincidence, those who hear His Voice, call it Providence.

His lesson continues for those who are listening.

Friday, I woke up wondering about the glasses Roxy and I ordered some weeks ago. I kept thinking about it. Asked Roxy about it. Finally, I called the Eye Doctor. Perfect timing. They just came in that very morning.

We picked up the glasses and walked outside to...pouring down rain.

Saturday, around 2:30 a.m. I woke to the sound of a soft soaking rain.

I went out to the living room, sat in the old wooden rocker, and simply, silently, prayed, “Thank You, Lord.”

After a few moments I noticed my phone repeatedly lighting up.

Bam! War with Iran began.

Timing.

Finally, after a forty-seven year reign of terror, the forty-seventh president of the U.S. takes a stand to confront this horrific evil.

2/11/26 marked the 47^th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Since then, that murderous regime has shed the innocent blood of multiplied thousands around the world.

Parshat Zachor.

That day, (Sabbath) all around the world, in all the synagogues, Jews read Deuteronomy 25:17-19, it’s called the "Parshat Zachor" (it means remember). It is the second of four special readings read during or immediately before the month of Adar.

“Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, ¹⁸ how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God. ¹⁹ Therefore it shall be, when the Lord your God has given you rest from your enemies all around, in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, that you will blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. You shall not forget.

The reading fulfills the Biblical commandment to remember Amalek’s attack on Israel — a surprise assault against the weak and vulnerable in the wilderness. (Reminds me of hamas attack from Gaza, Oct 7, 2023). 

In Jewish tradition, this underscores:

   •   The moral duty to remember evil

   •   The obligation to confront existential threats

   •   The connection between Amalek and the events of Purim. (Haman being identified as an Agagite, descendant of Amalek)

We’ll talk about the Jewish celebration of Purim, in a moment.

But first consider an Islamic celebration happening simultaneously:

Night of Dreams, also called, Night of Power.

One of last 10 days of Ramadan.  It is considered the holiest night of the year, where Muslims believe the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad.

A "Night Better than 1000 Months." The Quran states that worship on this specific night is more rewarding than 83 years and 4 months of prayer (a thousand months).

They say it’s a Night of Decree/Destiny: It is believed that on this night, Allah decrees the fate of individuals for the coming year.

Divine Forgiveness: Muslims believe that sincere prayer and repentance on this night result in the forgiveness of past sins.

Spiritual Reflection: Many spend the night in deep prayer, reciting the Quran, and making heartfelt supplications, thinking, hoping, praying for a vision or dream from Allah. 

Instead, many report having dreams from the One and only True God, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Resulting in glorious, eternal, salvation, hallelujah!

Purim.

Today and tomorrow, Purim is celebrated. The Jewish holiday every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar. This year it falls on March 2-3.

 It commemorates the Divinely orchestrated salvation of the Jews in ancient Persia (Iran) from Jew hating Haman, “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day... and to plunder their possessions.” (The same demonic hatred in the Iranian regime today).

Purim literally means “lot”, since Haman cast lots to decide the date, he’d slaughter all Jews.

It all began in Iran, 2,383 years ago (357 BC).

The king of Persia (modern day Iran) selected beautiful Esther to be his queen.

Mordecai was Esther’s cousin, but he had raised her as his daughter, because her parents had died. For her own safety, he told Esther to not reveal that she was Jewish.

 One day Mordecai, uncovered a plot to kill the king. He told Esther. She told the king. The bad guys were killed instead of the king.

In place of the bad guys the king promoted Haman (he was worse, but of course the king didn’t know—yet).

Haman was arrogant, loved when everybody bowed before him.

So, when Mordecai wouldn’t bow, it made Haman hotter than Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace. When he found out Mordecai’s Jewish faith forbade him from bowing to any but to the one and only True God, Haman’s hatred spread to all Jews. He wanted them all dead, dead, dead.

So, he cooked a plan straight from the fiery furnace of hell.

“Dear king, there are a certain people who refuse to keep the laws of the king. It is not fitting for them to live. Please let a decree be written so that they all be destroyed.”

The king trusted Haman and granted his request.

So, in the name of the king, to the entire kingdom, Haman sent a decree, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their possessions. Esther 3:13.

Upon hearing the decree Mordecai was mortified. He tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes. Esther 4:1-2.

Esther sent to find out what was wrong with Mordecai.

He showed her the horrible decree and told her to go to the king on behalf of the Jews.

She said no one could go to the king uninvited, not even the queen.

Mordecai told her: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:13-14.

She said, “Okay, let’s fast and pray for three days, then, I’ll go and if I perish, I perish!” Esther 4:16.

On the third day she went and found favor in the sight of the Lord and the king.

“What do you wish my queen.”

“That you and Haman come to the feast I have prepared.”

They did. At the feast, the king asked again, “What do you wish my queen, up to half my kingdom it will be granted.”

She said, “If it pleases the king, will you and Haman come again tomorrow to a feast, and then, I will tell my request.”

Everything seemed to be so great for Haman. But thoughts of Mordecai made him miserable. So, his wife told him to build a gallows to hang Mordecai, then cheer up and go to the banquet with the king and queen.

That night the king couldn’t sleep. So, he had the court records read to him.

By Divine timing (kairos) and orchestration, they read about Mordecai uncovering the plot to kill the king.

The king asked what had been done to honor Mordecai.

They told him that nothing had been done.

Then king asked who was available to discuss this with.

“What amazing timing, Haman just walked into the court.”

“Haman, what should the king do for a man he wishes to honor?”

Haman thought, he must be thinking about me. So, he said: “Let the man be clothed in one of the king’s royal robes and crowns and place him on one of the king’s horses, then have the king’s most noble prince parade him on horseback through the city proclaiming, ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!’ ” Esther 6:6-9.

Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry, take the robe and the horse, as you have suggested, and do so for Mordecai the Jew who sits within the king’s gate! Leave nothing undone of all that you have spoken.” Esther 6:10.

After Mordecai’s honor, Haman ran home humiliated. Before he finished whining to his wife, the king’s men showed up and said, “Let’s go, you’re late for a date with the king and queen.”

So, during dinner the king asked again. “Okay dear queen, what do you wish, whatever it is will be granted up to half my kingdom.”

Esther said, “Oh king, if I have found favor in your sight, I only ask for my life, the life of my people. For we have been sold, my people and I, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. Had we been sold as male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue, although the enemy could never compensate for the king’s loss.” Esther 7:1-4.

“Who would do such a thing?” said the king.

And Esther said, “The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman!”

Haman was terrified.

The king was so angry he walked to the garden to cool and clear his head.

When he returned, he saw Haman fallen across the couch where Esther was.

“Will you assault the queen while I’m in the house!!!”

One of the king’s men told of the gallows Haman built for Mordecai.

“Hang him on it!” said the king.

So, Haman was hung from his own gallows.

Justice.

The tables were turned. The Jews were not slaughtered but by the king’s decree avenged themselves against those who planned them harm, including Haman’s ten sons.

Queen Esther was given Haman’s estate.

She put Mordecai in charge.

And they all lived happily ever after.

Well, not really, because the Bible is no fairytale.

But the date is still remembered and celebrated by Jews, year after year.

Consider the timing.

One day before Purim, the modern-day Haman, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was hung from his own gallows in a sense. Killed the same way he wanted to kill all Jews. As well as the regime leaders. Their navy is largely destroyed as is much of their arsenal.

Kairos.

Ø Parshat Zachor.

Ø  Night of Dreams.

Ø Purim.

Ø Operation Epic Fury and Roaring Lion.

If you want to know the past or the future, look at God’s calendar—the Bible.

If you want to know what time it is, look at His clock—Israel.

When Kairos and Chronos collide, the world calls it coincidence, but the Ekklésia, those who are listening, call it, Providence.

When it happens, pay attention, because it’s there, in the fullness of time, God moves and speaks.

Today, Operation Epic Fury and Roaring Lion are turning the tables.

Justice is rising, judgement is falling on those who planned to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, and to plunder their possessions.

Are we witnessing a sneak peak, an object lesson, a foreshadow of the kairos moment when the Lord will fight for Israel and bring a swift end to the Ezekiel 38-39 war?

Have we just crossed a threshold into the opening throes of that war?

Israel has been battling proxy terrorists. Now, she’s at war with nations. Just as in the Ezekiel war.

Iran is committed to the nations listed in the Ezekiel 38-39 war including, Russia, Turkey, Sudan, Libya.

America is committed to Israel against Iran.

Will China think America is overextended and vulnerable back home?

Will this trigger unexpected aggression from folks like, China, N. Korea, Russia?

Will left wing lunatics and crazy congress demand we pull out?

Will this draw America home and escalate into the Ezekiel war?  

Ezekiel 38-39 describes a war that will take place near the starting gate of Daniel’s 70^th Week, (the seven year Tribulation).

During that war, Israel stands alone. America is conspicuously absent.

Today it may be political suicide for President Trump to step into this fight.

Yet who knows whether he has come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

The righteous must do rightly.  If I perish, I perish.

If America is absent let it be by being caught up (1 Thessalonians 4:17), or by standing and swinging against God's enemies until the bitter end.

God will fight for Israel with earthquake, torrential rain, great hailstones, fire and brimstone. He will save them in such a powerful way that it will take seven months to bury the dead, and seven years to dispose of the weapons. Ezekiel 39:9, 12.

 “Then they shall know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 38:18-23.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, we may not know the day or hour, but certainly sense the season. Help us hear and see and act, that when You come calling You’ll find us faithful, soul winners and disciple makers, redeeming chronos, longing for kairos, ever ready to see Your face.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

Call or text: 612-554-2522

Email: pray4measap@aol.com

Facebook: Church at WPV

Books: amazon.com/author/dougspurling

Watch online:

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.

Wisdom From Above, James 1:5-8

After a concise, humble, heartfelt intro, James launches straight into his fast paced, power packed epistle.

In a few short verses, starting with joy and ending with lacking nothing, James gives a summary of our journey through James, and the Christian life.

It looks like this:

James 1:2-3
Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience

During trials, our faith is tested.

If we choose to obey and count it all joy, we pass the test, and patience is produced.

⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

If we endure (patient with patience) we become perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Simple right?

Weary not in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. Galatians 6:9.

If we don’t quit, we win.

Hold on Doug. Perfect? Are you kidding? I’m not so perfect—and I know you’re not.

Perfect point, because the English translation “perfect” is far from perfect.

Perfect, (Greek:Teleios). Meaning: mature, full-grown.

Like a pirate’s telescope extending stage by stage, stronger and stronger, clearer and clearer, until fully extended to full strength, clarity, maturity.

Like the process of Sanctification.

2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

When we keep looking at the Lord, we start looking like the Lord.

Walking like Him

Talking like Him

Acting like Him

Loving like Him

Perfect and Complete, (Greek: holokléros). Meaning: whole, entire. From two words. Holo: wholeness. Kléros: Divine allotment by casting lot.

Holy allotment of Wholeness.

Count it all joy, through every test, from glory to glory, by God’s Divine allotment of wholeness, all the way to the lovely land of lacking nothing.

Joy should be our travel tunes, and then, we must make sure we’re properly packed.

Which is where we drop into our text today.

James 1:5a
If any of you lacks wisdom...

Pack wisdom.

For any journey, it helps to know where you’re going so you know how to pack.

Remember, we’re headed to the lovely land of “lacking nothing.”

That’s the goal, that’s the destination.

That’s being able to say:

2 Timothy 4:7
 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Nothing left undone, unsaid, no unfinished business, no loose ends. Nothing lacking.

Of all those You’ve given me, I have lost none. (lack none).
John 6:39, 17:12, 18:9

For us to reach the lovely land of Lacking Nothing, we must pack plenty of wisdom.

Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is the principal (primary, fundamental, key, foremost) thing, therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

Proverbs 9:10 (also: Psalm 111:10)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning (starting, launching, commencing) of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Notice how wisdom and understanding are companions.

Not just any ol’ wisdom, but wisdom from above.

James 3:13-17
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. ¹⁷ 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.

The Fruit of the Spirit is:
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23.

Gifts of the Spirit are:
Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Healings, Miracles, Prophecy, Discernment, Tongues, Interpretation. 1 Corinthians 12:4, 8-11, 28.

Wisdom from Above comes from God.

Not from knowledge or intellect learned by study.

Not from years of experience gained over time.

The wisdom from Above puts knowledge and experience to Godly use.

Joy is our travel tunes and Wisdom is our GPS (God’s Provision, protection, positioning system).

Wisdom from Above navigates us through twists and turns, and hazardous construction zones of life, leading us safely to the lovely land of lacking nothing.

Meet Wisdom
Proverbs 3:13-24

Happy is the man who finds wisdom,

And the man who gains understanding;

¹⁴ For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,

And her gain than fine gold.

¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies,

And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand,

In her left hand riches and honor.

¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

And all her paths are peace.

¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,

And happy are all who retain her.

¹⁹ The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;

By understanding He established the heavens;

²⁰ By His knowledge the depths were broken up,

And clouds drop down the dew.

²¹ My son, let them not depart from your eyes—

Keep sound wisdom and discretion;

²² So they will be life to your soul

And grace to your neck.

²³ Then you will walk safely in your way,

And your foot will not stumble.

²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.

King Solomon wrote that.

Awesome right?

Would you like that kind of wisdom from Above?

Yes! How do we get it?

Same way Solomon did:

James 1:5b
...let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Ask of God.

Matthew 7:7
 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

James 4:2b
...You have not because you ask not.

Ask of God.

He loves to give.

God’s character is generous.

He is a giver. For God so loved the world that He gave...

 His very Best. John 3:16.

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

God gives liberally, abundantly. Not stingily, grudgingly, selfishly.

2 Peter 1:3a
His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness

John 10:10
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Have you ever asked someone for something, and they made you feel small for asking? They lord it over you. Talk down to you for needing something.

Not God.

Not only does He give liberally, generously, abundantly...  

God gives without reproach.

He gives without being a jerk. He doesn’t make you beg, feel like a loser, or a pest, or stupid, for asking.

He wants us to ask, tells us to ask, loves when we ask.

1 Peter 5:7
cast all your care on Him, for He cares for you.

Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Matthew 7:8-11
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ⁹ Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? ¹¹ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

1 Kings 3:5-15. God appeared to King Solomon in a dream and said: “Ask! What shall I give you?”

Solomon asked for wisdom to lead the people God had given him.

Lord, we ask, please give us wisdom to lead those You’ve given us, so we’ll all hear You say, “Well done.” Lacking no one.

The Lord was so happy with Solomon’s answer, He told him, Because you asked for wisdom, not long life, or riches, or the heads of your enemies, I have given you what you’ve asked. There will be none wiser, before or after you. And I have also given what you have not asked; riches and honor, so there will be none like you among all the kings all your days.

If any of you lacks wisdom, ask of God...

⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Oh, so, you mean there’s more to the story than just asking?  

We must always consider the whole counsel of Word of God.

We can’t cherry pick pieces of the puzzle and think we see the big picture.

We can’t tune in every now and then and understand the whole Story.

There’s more to asking than just saying words.

Praying is not just lip service, but heart surrendered belief.

Ask in faith no doubting...

Fortunately for us, we know all about faith, because we just finished Hebrews and walked with the faith giants.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him

Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word (rhema) of God (Christ).

While the preacher’s preaching, we’re listening for Jesus. We’re praying, “Lord help me hear You.” (Rhema: the spoken Word).

Sunday, we read James 5:17-18.

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

We read that Scripture, then, looked at that picture, and then prayed something like this:

Lord Jesus, according to Your Word, we have a nature like Elijah.

According to Your Word, he prayed, and it rained.

According to Your Word, we're to bring our requests to You.

Therefore, according to Your Word, like Elijah, we pray for rain.

Thank You Lord, for hearing and healing our dry, thirsty land. Not only physical rain that waters fields, but an outpouring of Your Spirit, that waters souls, bearing fruit to an Eternal Harvest.

Thank You.

We trust and love You forever.

Amen.

“Don’t forget your umbrella” I said as folks were leaving Church.

Then, an hour or so later, it rained.

For some, above the sight and sound of the rain pouring down, they heard the gift of answered prayer coming down from the Father Above.

They responded by thanking and praising the Lord.

Others just saw and heard the rain. They did not thank Him, or praise Him, but said things like: “It’s raining too hard, it’ll just wash away and not soak in... It stopped too soon... It was too small... not enough... won’t do any good..., blah, blah, blah...

Hebrews 10:38
Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”

Let’s read our text again:

James 1:6-8
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Have you ever done something for someone, (even a small thing) and they were sooooo grateful, it made you want to do even more for them?

That’s how God felt about those who were so grateful for the rain.

Then, on the other hand, have you ever done something for someone who, rather than showing appreciation, acted intitled, as if you owed them, and whatever you did wasn’t enough? Did that make you want to say, let not that double minded, unstable person suppose they’ll receive anything from me ever again.  

God knows exactly how you feel.

1 Kings 18:41-44 records the day Elijah prayed for rain.

At that time there was nothing but blue skies, yet Elijah said, “I hear the sound of an abundance of rain!”

He prayed.

Then, sent his servant to look toward the sea.

Nothing but blue.

He prayed again and sent.

Nothing again, and again, until the seventh time and then, the servant said, “I see a cloud the size of a man’s hand.”

Elijah did NOT say, “It’s too small, that’s not enough, it won’t do any good...”

Elijah said, “There’s a gully washin’ flog floater comin’!!!” (DRT, Doug’s Redneck Translation).

Your Bible might say something like:

“Go tell king Ahab to get his chariot home before he gets stuck in the rain.” 1 Kings 18:44.

In the meantime, the sky grew black, the clouds grew thick, the winds grew heavy and down came answered prayer in the form of heavy rain.

Elijah asked in faith, no doubting, nothing wavering.

Like Andy’s mom.

Andy was on duty when he was shot in the head by an illegal alien.

The doctors said, “Andy won’t live.”

But Andy’s mom got a second opinion from her Great Physician.

That night, a call came in, one of many, to offer comfort, condolences.

But on this call, Andy’s mom said, “Thank you Mr. President, but my boy is going to be just fine.”

The doctors, the President, all thought she didn’t understand. But, Andy’s mom, Melody, received wisdom from Above, they knew not of. She asked in faith, no doubting, nothing wavering.

During the State of the Union Address, with multiplied millions around the world watching, Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, stood tall next to his mom, while President Trump honored Andy with the prestigious Purple Heart.

Consider it all joy. Ask in faith. Pack wisdom...And grab an umbrella.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word that’s just been planted in our hearts. Now, before doubt or the devil has time to steal it, we water it with this prayer. Lord, we ask in faith for wisdom to stay in Your Presence, so this Seed will take root, and grow, from glory to glory. Wisdom to count it all joy in every trial, so by Your Holy allotment of wholeness we’ll make our way to Your Lovely Land of Lacking Nothing. So, when we stand before You, we will hear You say, “Well done.” And when we look around us, we’ll see all those You’ve given us, lacking none.

Thank You, Lord.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.