Title: Early morning prayer for Lent (6) By faith...
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Early morning prayer for Lent (6) Ask God in faith (James 1:5-8) 2002.03.09.
James thinks that the most important problem that believers face from a pastoral standpoint is “test” and first mentions how to overcome the test (verses 2-4).
way to beat the exam
Then, what must we do to endure trials and triumph? Of course, there are different ways to deal with the test because each person's test is different and has a different shape. However, in general, you will find a few ways to do it.
1) You must have an enduring mind.
In short, it is the ability to persevere. If you have the heart to endure any difficulties, you will be able to overcome the test. Blessed is the one who endures temptation, for after this has been approved, he will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him (James 1:12).
2) You must have a heart that will not be conquered.
Don't give yourself up to the tempter. When Judas Iscariot fell into temptation due to material conflicts in his heart, he surrendered his heart to Satan and committed the sin of betraying Jesus. It is said that the devil seeks someone to devour like a roaring lion around us. In that case, if we surrender our hearts to them, we will not be able to overcome the temptation.
3) Do not lose trust and hope.
Blessed is the one who endures temptation, for after this has been approved, he will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him (James 1:12). One day we will definitely win.
He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13). He said he would open the way.
4) You must have a waiting mind.
Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest, if we do not grow weary (Galatians 6:9). It is to have the heart to wait until the time is right. Then the test will naturally pass away or pass us.
There were three heroes in Japan during the Warring States period. They were Oda Nobunaga, Toyodomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu. One day the wise man showed them parrots that did not cry and asked what they would do. First, Nobunaga Oda said, "If it doesn't cry, let's kill it." Next, Hideyoshi Toyodomi said, "If it doesn't cry, let's make it cry", and finally Tokugawa Ieyasu said, "If you don't cry, let's wait until we cry." do. At that time, the sage told Tokugawa Ieyasu that he would unify the world and bowed down before him. Again, we know that the best way to overcome temptation is to persevere until the time comes
In yesterday's sermon, I talked about the difference between "I am tempted" and "I am tempted". Everyone! Do not forget this principle. Anyone can be tested. Even if you are filled with the Holy Spirit and pray, you can be tempted. But those who pray may be tempted, but they will not fall into temptation. In that sense, how important is prayer to guarding our souls? So James immediately follows up on prayer in today's text. This is because they considered "prayer" the second most important concern in the life of the church.
To believe in Jesus is ultimately to pray. A life of faith without prayer is meaningless. Because only when we pray is our soul is alive. That is why James exhorts us in verse 5 of today's text. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
Look carefully at verse 5. Section 5 has a triple structure.
1) What do you want to ask for? If any of you lacks wisdom, let him seek wisdom.
2) Who do you ask to ask? Ask God, who gives generously and does not reproach.
3) How do I ask for it? I ask you to ask by faith. If you do, I will give it to you.
Today, focusing on verse 5, we will look at some principles of prayer.
First, what should I seek? You must seek wisdom.
“Seek wisdom” is a very Hebrew word. Because the Jews think the highest prayer is the prayer for wisdom. Everyone! When faced with trials, do not just pray for the trials to be removed, but pray for wisdom to overcome them well. So, what exactly does wisdom mean?
1) Wisdom is listening: folks! Don't just try to talk to God, try to listen to God. I really value early morning prayer. However, focusing on the morning prayer meeting, the main point of prayer is different. Before the morning prayer meeting begins, I mainly pray. However, after the early morning prayer meeting, I usually pray with supplication. Personally, I think there should be a 1:1 ratio between listening prayer and pleading prayer.
2) Wisdom is the distinction between good and evil: This fact is well illustrated by the story of Solomon's trial in 1 Kings 3. Especially in this day and age, we do not know how important the wisdom to discern good and evil is. And the wisdom of discerning good and evil is directly related to being close to the Word.
3) Wisdom is like an owl's eye: I've tried a little poetic expression, what do you mean? Wisdom is the ability to shine even more in the dark.
4) Wisdom is the numbering of days: This definition is well expressed in Psalm 90 by Moses. What does "count the days" mean? It means valuing time.
We have looked at various definitions like these. If we look at such definitions, how precious is wisdom to a successful Christian life of faith? Everyone! I hope that your prayer topic will be a prayer asking for wisdom.
Second, who should I seek?
We must ask God, who gives generously and does not rebuke. What is meant by "God, who gives generously and without reproach!"?
1) God means “a God who gives generously”.
Our God is a God who gives heat if you ask for one. God is not stingy. But it is not given because it cannot be given. It is impossible to give a child everything he asks for. If you just throw away money, you will ruin your children without even knowing, how would you do that? But after this, when you are prepared with good character, you give everything. God is considerate and gives only to the ready heart.
2) God means “a God who gives generously and does not rebuke”.
When giving, people often give with the eyes of condemnation and reproach. Therefore, it often hurts and inflicts damage on the recipient's pride. We must not put "a heart of pride and a look of reproach" in the giving hand. Like our God, we need to be generous and not rebuke.
3. Third, how should we pray? We must pray in faith.
See verses 6-8. "But ask in faith, and do not doubt at all. He who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. Do not expect such a person to obtain anything from the Lord.
It is said that we must ask in faith, and we must not have a double heart. What does it mean to have two hearts? If it doesn't work, thinking about what to do next is to have a double heart. Then you will never be able to make that pursuit into a successful work.
What should I do when I get married? You have to think of it as a lifetime together. If you try it once and live if you want to live, or if you think that you will get rid of it, then the marriage will never be successful because you have two hearts.
What should I do with my business? Make a decision carefully and once you have made a decision, you must know it as your mission and do your best. If you do it while thinking, "If it doesn't work, do something else..." It is a double heart, so the business cannot be a work. There's nothing like being double-minded and always having a way out. Don't feel like trying it once. Elixir is needed here. That is the leap of faith. In other words, let it go and let it go. And then you find your way. Then God will give you a way. If not, there is nothing to do in advance thinking about what to do. The work of life can never come out just by thinking about doing it once.
In prayer, communion with God must come first.
When we pray, we are mainly concerned with God's grace, power, gift, or material that we will receive from God. It is often more concerned with the content of the gift the parents give than the parents themselves, when their children ask their parents for what they need. So, if children only achieve their goals, the mother or father will destroy the body. Because their interest is what they seek. Therefore, there is a fear that a person who prays may neglect the relationship of faith and love between God himself and God rather than focusing on the gift itself that he is interested in when praying.
When we are in a relationship with someone we love, sometimes we give and receive gifts. The gift is precious because it contains the affection and love of the person. So when you receive a gift, you feel good and you feel more love. But even more important than the gift is the person himself. It is not always nice to receive a gift between lovers. Just being with that person is good in itself and it's a pleasure.
It's a gift when you have pods over your eyes, and nothing else stands out at all. Just being with that person makes you happy. So, because I don't want to just meet and break up, I look forward to the front of the house. Still, I don't want to break up again, so if I just go in a straight line, they go around the nearest house for nothing. Still, if you don't like it, you've come all the way to the woman's house, but this time the woman came to the man's house with the excuse that I was looking out for the man's house. Why? Because it's good just to be together. Because prayer is time with God, our hearts should be joyful and rejoicing.
But what happens to the couple after they get married? It will change later. The gift takes precedence over that person. I think it would be nice to see it a little further away since I was there every day. When you buy a gift and enter it, the person cannot be seen and the gift is not visible. A person who prays should be very careful about this. As we receive answers from God every day while we live our prayer life, we do not have much interest in God Himself and are only interested in the gifts God gives us. These people come to think of prayer only as a means to satisfy their desires. How can we draw closer to and love God through prayer? don't think How can we pray that reveals the glory of God through prayer? don't think How can we live more obedient to God's will through prayer? don't think So, if God does not answer the subject of prayer they are asking for, they complain that they do not know why it is necessary to pray.
Therefore, for the right attitude of prayer, as Augustine said, intimate communion with God must come first. Even if we do not receive or give a gift, just as a warm person flows between a parent and a child, in our relationship with God, really close love must come first.