Learning to Be Stable in Ever-Changing Winds

In review of James 1:6-8 I read, “But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” (NLT)

I must believe not only in the existence of God but also in his loving care. This includes relying on God and expecting that he will hear and answer when I pray. Have confidence that God will align my desires with his purposes. Divided loyalty comes if I'm not convinced that God's way is best, treating God's Word like any human advice including the option to disobey. I would be vacillating between allegiance to my subjective feelings, the world's ideas and God's commands. To stabilize myself I must commit myself wholeheartedly to God. In order to stop being tossed around like a wave, rely on God to show me what is best for me. Ask Him for wisdom, and trust that he will give it to me.

Have you ever made a tough choice, but then the moment you made the decision, you started doubting yourself? You agonized over it. You kept asking yourself if you did the right thing.

The Bible says when you do this you’re like a wave pushed around in a storm. You have so many doubts, and you get tossed about because you’re depending on your wisdom, not God’s.

This is why God wants me to ask him for guidance before I make a decision, and then trust him and his goodness once the decision is made.

When you do, he sets you free from second-guessing yourself.

Here’s the good news: Even if the winds keep changing and the future looks uncertain, I don’t have to be blown to and fro. Put my faith in God and God alone.

Otherwise, James says my loyalty will be divided between God and the world. In some translations of James 1:8, this divided loyalty is rendered as “double-minded.” This comes from a Greek word that means two-souled. It’s about being pulled in opposite directions. It’s about being indecisive, wavering back and forth.

James says I shouldn’t expect God to give me his wisdom if I’m constantly second-guessing myself.

Double-mindedness creates an unstable spiritual life. It blocks your prayers and keeps you from receiving God’s wisdom.

God wants to give me wisdom! When I unequivocally trust God in uncertain times, in all times, he will give me everything I need to make wise decisions.

When I ask him, be sure that my faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave.  Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. Believe in his loving care. Relying on God and expecting that he will hear and answer when I pray. Have confidence that God will align my desires with his purposes. To stabilize myself I must commit myself wholeheartedly to God.Rely on God to show me what is best for me. Ask Him for wisdom, and trust that he will give it. God wants me to ask him for guidance before I make a decision, and then trust him and his goodness once the decision is made. Even if the winds keep changing and the future looks uncertain, I don’t have to be blown to and fro. Put my faith in God and God alone. Otherwise, James says my loyalty will be divided between God and the world. James says I shouldn’t expect God to give me his wisdom if I’m constantly second-guessing myself. When I unequivocally trust God in uncertain times, in all times, he will give me everything I need to make wise decisions.

Father I do want to commit myself and rely on you for my decisions. With the help and reminders from the Holy Spirit I want to rely on you and your loving care for me. I ask for wisdom and guidance for my decisions on what to study and my next job. You know what’s best for me and I need to keep my trust in you. Please lead me. I also ask for just wisdom for today, for my work, my leadership and my interactions with all, whether they be co-workers of my leadership. I pray these things through your Son Jesus name, Amen.

God’s Word: What I Believe, I Do

In review of James 1:25 I read, “But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don't just hear and forget.” (CEV)

God's law offers me a true reflection of my sinful condition and gives me the opportunity to ask God for forgiveness. I am saved by God's grace, and salvation frees me from sin's control. I am now free to live as God created me to be. I am not free to do as I please, but rather free to obey God.

Many people know the Bible, but in order to be blessed by it, I need to do what it says.

I act on what I believe, meaning my behavior and attitudes are a reflection of what I think is true. So think about it this way: The only parts of the Bible I truly believe are the parts I put into practice.

If what I say I believe doesn’t change how I live life, then I probably don’t really believe it. That’s why when I have a difficult decision to make, I need to remember: “God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true . . . ” (2 Samuel 22:31 NLT). When I follow God’s Word and do things his way, I’ll be able to do the right thing at the right time.

Now, in order to put God’s Word into practice, I need to know it. That means I can’t just skim through the Bible and hope something sticks. I need to make time for Bible study every day.

There are many ways for you to learn God’s Word. For instance, you can write Bible verses on cards and put them in places where you’ll see them throughout the day. You can gather verses into my heart by memorizing them, or I can listen to Scripture on my cell phone.

It doesn’t matter what methods I use to learn God’s Word. The important thing is that I’m studying, memorizing, and applying it to my life. When I do that, I’ll experience a freedom that cannot be diminished by the problems and challenges I face today.

In summary, never stop looking at the perfect law that will set me free. God will bless me in everything I do, if I listen and obey, and not just hear and forget. God's law offers me a true reflection of my sinful condition and gives me the opportunity to ask God for forgiveness. I am saved by God's grace, and salvation frees me from sin's control. I am now free to live as God created me to be. I am not free to do as I please, but rather free to obey God. In order to be blessed by the Bible, I need to do what it says. For I act on what I believe, meaning my behavior and attitudes are a reflection of what I think is true. The only parts of the Bible I truly believe are the parts I put into practice. When I follow God’s Word and do things his way, I’ll be able to do the right thing at the right time. To put God’s Word into practice, I need to know it. The important thing is that I’m studying, memorizing, and applying it to my life. If I do, I’ll experience a freedom that cannot be diminished by the problems and challenges I face today and in the future.

As I reflect on this verse and this devotion this morning, I realize that my perspective does change for the day or days after getting into and applying God’s Word. However, it can quickly fade away. I believe my next step should be to memorize key passages of scripture that I can bring to mind quickly when the situation arises. 

Father, this morning I ask and pray for guidance and wisdom on the course of action for several key areas of my life right now. 1). Future job, and which training I should pursue. Also what job should I be looking for. 2). A decision to refinance our home. I will trust you with leading me on the path you want me to pursue. Instead of worrying, I will put my trust in you, and do what I know is the right thing to do. I ask these things trhough your Son Jesus name, Amen.

It’s My Choice to Rejoice in Trouble

In review of James 1:2 it tells me, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (NLT)

James doesn't say if, but when troubles come my way. It is possible to profit from them. The point is to not pretend to be happy but to have a positive outlook because of what they will produce in my life. Turn them into times of learning. The tough times can teach me endurance. The depth of my character will show in how I react under pressure. 

It is easy to be kind when everything is going well, but can I still be kind when I"m being treated unfairly? God wants to make me mature, not to keep me from all pain. So instead of complaining, I should see them as opportunities for growth. Thank God for being with me in the rough times. Ask him to help me solve my problems or to give me the strength to endure them. Then be patient. God will not leave me alone with my problems, he will stay close and help me grow.

No matter what challenges and difficulties I face, I can trust God to see me through. That’s why the Bible says you can rejoice when you face trouble: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy” (James 1:2 NLT).

It’s easy to misunderstand this verse. God’s not saying be a martyr. He’s not saying deny reality. He's not saying fake it ‘til you make it.

We don't rejoice for the trouble. But I can still rejoice during the trouble because of what I know is true.

And what is true? I know that God sees and cares about everything I’m going through. I can know that I’m never alone, that God is always with me. I know that he will give me strength if I trust him.

One of the greatest comforts when I’m going through troubles is God’s promise in Romans 8:28: "We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him . . . " (NCV).

God has promised to bring good out of bad for me, in everything. That includes the pandemic! That's not a promise for everybody. It's a promise for believers, those who love him and are committed to living according to his purpose.

When I’m in a tough time, joy is a choice because I can rely on the goodness of God. Joy is not based on circumstances, and that’s why it's my choice to rejoice no matter what the situation.

Joy is not based on circumstances, and that’s why I am able to make a choice to rejoice no matter what my situation is.

Joy is based on what I know is true, and it’s based on my faith that God will fulfill his promise to work things out for good, according to his purpose.

In Psalm 34:1, King David said, "I will praise the LORD at all times; his praise is always on my lips" (NCV). Even now, I should thank God. Praise God. Rejoice in God—not just in good times. At all times.

In summary, when troubles come my way, I can consider it an opportunity for great joy. For It is possible to profit from them. The point is to not pretend to be happy but to have a positive outlook because of what they will produce. Turn them into times of learning and endurance. The depth of my character will show in how I react under pressure. Can I still be kind when I"m being treated unfairly? God wants to make me mature, not to keep me from all pain. So I should see them as opportunities for growth. Thank God for being with me in the rough times and asking him to help me solve my problems or to give me the strength to endure them. Then be patient. He will stay close and help me grow. God’s not saying be a martyr. He’s not saying deny reality. He's not saying fake it ‘til you make it. I don't rejoice for the trouble. But rejoice during the trouble because of what I know is true. I know that God sees and cares about everything I’m going through. I can know that I’m never alone, that God is always with me. God has promised to bring good out of bad. It's a promise for believers, those who love him and are committed to living according to his purpose. When I’m in a tough time, joy is a choice because I can rely on the goodness of God. Joy is not based on circumstances, and that’s why it's my choice to rejoice no matter what the situation. Joy is not based on circumstances, rather it's based on what I know is true, and it’s based on my faith that God will fulfill his promise to work things out for good, according to his purpose.

Father in reviewing your word and this devotional, I’m encouraged to keep the course I’ve chosen to not pretend to be happy, but rather look to what this will produce in me. I will continue to do my best regardless for you and for others around me. I will choose joy for what will come out of this in the future. I ask you today for continued wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. Through the help of the Holy Spirit may my words and actions be full of grace and helpfulness. These things I pray in your Son Jesus name, Amen.

God Wants to Give Me Wisdom

In review of James 1:5-6 this morning, I read  “If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won't correct you for asking. But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm.” (CEV)

James is talking not only about knowledge but about the ability to make wise decisions in difficult circumstances. When I ask, God will supply generously to help guide my choices. The wisdom from God is practical and helps choose the action to take. It is divine, it goes beyond common sense. It starts with respect for God, leads to living by God's direction, and results in the ability to tell right from wrong. It is also Christlike, and asking to be like Christ. 

I must not only believe in the existence of God but also in his loving care. Relying on and expecting that he will hear and answer. I must put away my critical attitude when I come to him. God will not grant every thoughtless or selfish request. I must have confidence that God will align my desires with his purposes. 

I know I’m going through rough times right now. I’m feeling the effects of the pandemic, the economy and my work and it’s taken a toll on my mental, physical, and emotional health. There are many uncertainties and questions about how to move on in this ongoing crisis.

James reminds me exactly what I should do when I don’t know what to do and feeling the pressure to do the right thing.

“If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won't correct you for asking. But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm” (James 1:5-6 CEV).

God isn't holding back wisdom. He gives wisdom to anybody who asks for it.

As I reflect on this verse, I haven’t asked God to give me wisdom on how to handle the pandemic, what to do about my job, my future, my family, or my health. God gives wisdom to anybody who asks for it.

King Solomon, one of the richest and most successful men who ever lived, had everything he needed and everything you could possibly want in life. But he still asked God for wisdom. He knew that riches and power and comfort meant nothing if he couldn’t make wise decisions. He wanted to honor God—who gave him everything he had—and so he asked for wisdom to know what to do and how to do it.

Wisdom helps me learn from any trouble I’m experiencing. It helps me to know what to do and how to move forward in a way that pleases God. God uses every challenge to develop, and not defeat me.

It may seem like the world is spinning out of control and circumstances keep changing day-by-day. My stress, fear, and worry may be at an all-time high.

But now more than ever is the time to ask “what,” instead of “why.”

Ask God what he wants me to learn from this time of crisis and what he wants me to do. He has promised to give me his wisdom in generous portions.

In summary, If I need wisdom, I should ask God, and it will be given to me. God is generous and won't correct me for asking. But when I ask for something, I must have faith and not doubt. In this passage, James is talking not only about knowledge but about the ability to make wise decisions in difficult circumstances. Wisdom from God is practical and helps choose the action to take. It is divine, it goes beyond common sense. It starts with respect for God, leads to living by God's direction, and results in the ability to tell right from wrong. It is also Christlike, and asking to be like Christ. I must not only believe in the existence of God but also in his loving care. Relying on and expecting that he will hear and answer. So put away my critical attitude and have confidence that God will align my desires with his purposes. Wisdom helps me learn from any trouble I’m experiencing. God uses every challenge to develop, and not defeat me. But now more than ever is the time to ask “what,” instead of “why.” Ask God what he wants me to learn from this time of crisis and what he wants me to do. 

Father, as I reflect on this passage, I realize that I haven’t asked you to give me wisdom on how to handle the pandemic, what to do about my job, my future, my family, or my health. I’m reminded that you give wisdom to anybody who asks for it. So I can rely on you to show me what is best for me. Therefore I ask you this morning for wisdom, and I will trust that you will give it to me so that my decisions will be sure and solid. I also ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my tasks, my leadership and my interactions. May bitterness flee from my heart and that I be of assistance to serve. These things I ask for you in Son Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.