Word@Work James4 - James 1:5
Published: Fri, 02/13/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
WORKING WISE
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (NIV)
In our information-rich age, wisdom is in short supply. Information gives us knowledge, but wisdom gives us the ability to choose the right information, and when and how to use it. Some people think that they will become wise with much study, but that only gives them more information. Others try to copy a wise hero or much loved grandparent: they formulate ways of doing things (a set of rules) which sometime work - but cannot make the person wise (just an impersonator or mimic).
Wisdom is about how things and people link together. True wisdom can only come from God. He is the only one who understands how everyone and everything should relate together; and how to make the right thing happen ... every time! So it should be obvious, that if we do not have that understanding, we should ask God to tell us. Almost everybody will pray at some time, but only those who know they belong to Jesus, can have the confidence that He will hear and act on His answer. When God responds to our cry for wisdom, he does so generously: and He doesn't call us 'stupid' for not knowing what to do, nor criticise us for forgetting the answer we received last time. God knows that we cannot manage without Him. As a true Father He is very pleased with His children who admit their limitations and ask for help.
Hard times intensify our need for wisdom, but our pride often insists on creating our own solution ... which will inevitably fail. Instead, when troubles come, we should humbly admit that we do not know what is the best thing to do, and simply ask the Lord. Of course, it is not only about us finding solutions, but, about us being equipped to represent Jesus in a troubled world: everybody needs Him and His wisdom! Indeed every crisis get worse when we fail to ask Him. You may be highly trained with academic and professional qualifications, or experienced by many years in the business, but when you need wisdom today, just ask the Lord: He will make His answer clear. And the more we ask, the more wisdom we get, until that becomes the normal habit of our working (and domestic) life.
Prayer: Dear Lord. I admit that I do not know the best solution, or timing, or way to do things, or how to relate to people so that You are always glorified and others are always blessed. I need Your wisdom so that I can work with you through the troubles to Your praise and Glory. Help me today at work, to refer everything to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
In our information-rich age, wisdom is in short supply. Information gives us knowledge, but wisdom gives us the ability to choose the right information, and when and how to use it. Some people think that they will become wise with much study, but that only gives them more information. Others try to copy a wise hero or much loved grandparent: they formulate ways of doing things (a set of rules) which sometime work - but cannot make the person wise (just an impersonator or mimic).
Wisdom is about how things and people link together. True wisdom can only come from God. He is the only one who understands how everyone and everything should relate together; and how to make the right thing happen ... every time! So it should be obvious, that if we do not have that understanding, we should ask God to tell us. Almost everybody will pray at some time, but only those who know they belong to Jesus, can have the confidence that He will hear and act on His answer. When God responds to our cry for wisdom, he does so generously: and He doesn't call us 'stupid' for not knowing what to do, nor criticise us for forgetting the answer we received last time. God knows that we cannot manage without Him. As a true Father He is very pleased with His children who admit their limitations and ask for help.
Hard times intensify our need for wisdom, but our pride often insists on creating our own solution ... which will inevitably fail. Instead, when troubles come, we should humbly admit that we do not know what is the best thing to do, and simply ask the Lord. Of course, it is not only about us finding solutions, but, about us being equipped to represent Jesus in a troubled world: everybody needs Him and His wisdom! Indeed every crisis get worse when we fail to ask Him. You may be highly trained with academic and professional qualifications, or experienced by many years in the business, but when you need wisdom today, just ask the Lord: He will make His answer clear. And the more we ask, the more wisdom we get, until that becomes the normal habit of our working (and domestic) life.
Prayer: Dear Lord. I admit that I do not know the best solution, or timing, or way to do things, or how to relate to people so that You are always glorified and others are always blessed. I need Your wisdom so that I can work with you through the troubles to Your praise and Glory. Help me today at work, to refer everything to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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