Ask For Wisdom

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Welcome back to Beyond Sundayand day 17 of anchored in God's
promises.
Every morning this month, we'reholding onto one promise from
God's Word.
Something to guide us, to steadyus and give us perspective
before the day unfolds.
Today's promise is one.
I come back too often,especially when I'm faced with
decisions that matter.
James, chapter one, verse five.
If any of you lacks wisdom, youshould ask God who gives

(00:23):
generously to all withoutfinding fault, and it'll be
given to you.
James doesn't say if.
In the sense of maybe he knowswe all face moments when we
don't know what to do.
That could be a big lifedecision, right?
Which job to take, how to handlea conflict, whether to move
forward with a relationship, howto navigate a financial

(00:43):
decision.
But it's also the small dailychoices.
How to respond to your child ina tense moment.
How to speak truth with grace,how to spend your time today.
The starting point for receivingwisdom is admitting that we
don't have all the answers.
And that's not a weakness.
It's an invitation.
James makes it simple.
You should ask God.

(01:04):
Sometimes we overcomplicatewisdom thinking it only comes
from years of study or from afew people with exceptional
spiritual insight.
And while learning from othersis important, and James says,
the direct line to wisdom isprayer.
The God who designed your mind,who knows the future, who sees
every eng angle.
You can talk to him right nowabout the decision in front of

(01:26):
you.
And you don't have to guess ifhe's listening.
He promises to answer.
Now, I love that wordgenerously.
It means God doesn't give wisdomand little drops like it's a
scarce resource.
He pours it out, and it's forall, not just pastors, not just
seasoned believers, not just thereally spiritual people in the
world.

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If you belong to him, thispromise is yours.
That means you can bring himyour confusion.
Your uncertainty, your options,and expect him to respond with
clarity, peace, and direction.
Now, this part of the versemight be my favorite without
finding fault.
God doesn't roll his eyes whenyou come to him with the same

(02:07):
question.
Again, he doesn't say, didn't Itell you this already?
He doesn't shame you for needingguidance.
He welcomes the repeated askingbecause asking is a sign you
want to walk in his way.
Even if you've made mistakesbefore, even if you've ignored
his wisdom last time, hisposture toward you today is

(02:27):
still generous.
This is the anchor of thepromise that it'll be given to
you when you ask.
In faith, God will give youwisdom.
That doesn't always mean he'lldrop the full plan in your lap,
but he'll give you the nextstep.
Sometimes wisdom comes as aconviction in your spirit.
Sometimes it comes throughscripture speaking directly into

(02:49):
your situation.
Sometimes it comes through godlycounsel, but however he delivers
it, you can trust it will come.
Years ago, I faced a ministrydecision that would impact my
family and my church for yearsto come.
I had a pros and cons list inputfrom mentors, and still I
couldn't see clearly.
So I prayed James one five outloud every morning for weeks.

(03:10):
God, I'm asking you for wisdom.
You promise to give itgenerously.
One morning while readingscripture, a passage I'd read a
dozen of times seemed to leapoff the page.
It spoke directly to mysituation confirming the path
forward.
It wasn't a loud voice, it was aquiet certainty, and I knew it
was wisdom from him.

(03:30):
So here's your challenge today.
Bring one decision to God, bigor small, and pray.
James one, five over it.
Say, God, I lack wisdom in thisarea.
I'm asking you to give itgenerously without finding
fault.
Then watch for how he answers.
It might be a verse, aconversation or a deep inner
peace, but he will lead you.

(03:51):
Let's pray.
Lord, thank you for being agenerous giver of wisdom.
We confess that we often try tofigure things out on our own,
but today we choose to ask youfirst, lead us in your truth.
Guide us by your spirit.
And give us the clarity we needto honor you in our decisions.
In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
Again, thank you for joining metoday.

(04:13):
If today's promise encourageyou, share it with someone who's
facing a decision.
They might need this Reminderthat God gives wisdom freely.
I'll see you back here tomorrow.