WISDOM

"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5).

 

When you are in the middle of a trial--You really need God's perspective.  Wisdom is defined very simply as, "knowing what God knows--seeing through His eyes".  If you can understand God's perspective on your difficulty, then you are more than halfway there.  My translation of James 1:5, "If you don't know what God is doing--then ask Him!"  The Greek implies, "You must ask Him!"  The promise is that God will give His wisdom "generously" or freely, unconditionally, liberally.  Who will He give it to?  He Gives his perspective on things graciously to anyone who takes the time to ask.  "Without reproach" means that God doesn't judge you or rebuke you for asking.  He really does want you to know what He is doing in your life.  He wants you to see it from His perspective.  He wants you to understand the meaning that is found in what often appears to be madness.

 

Today, pray this prayer as often as you remember it: "Reveal to me what you are doing in my life today".  When a problem comes, "Reveal to me what you are doing in my life through this".  When a blessing comes, "Reveal to me what you are accomplishing".  You and God are going to have a great time together today....hurry up!  He's waiting!

ENDURANCE

"And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:4).

 

In the Greek, the first part of this verse is declared loudly like a command, "Endurance must have it's perfecting work!"  In other words, it is essential that we allow endurance, which is the fruit of testing, to accomplish it's purpose in our lives.  It must happen!  Endurance perfects us--it completes us!  It fills in our defects and makes us whole.  God allows trials and tests to attack us so that we will increase in endurance and thus grow healthier (stronger).

 

Though I don't do it now, I used to run quite a bit.  My goal in running was to get healthier and maintain a stronger physical condition.  I don't mind telling you that I don't like to run--I never have.  I don't run for pleasure--I run for conditioning.  For me, it's hard work as I, day after day, attempt to run farther and to run faster.  I have to resist the urge to quit.  I have to push through the pain.  I have to constantly remind myself of the benefit that I am gaining.  The more I run consistently, the more endurance that I gain, and the stronger that I become. 

 

I like to think that when problems and difficulties enter my life, that it's God saying, "Come on, Dave, let's go for a run". 

 

What are you enduring today?  Let me encourage you to focus on the benefit of your endurance today.  How is God growing you through your situation?  Keep going--the finish line is just ahead.

ENDURANCE

"Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance" (James 1:3).

 

"Endurance" is the ability to run farther, to put up with more, and to remain standing when others are falling around us.  We need endurance and the way that we get it is through trials.

 

Today, when something goes wrong, try to remember that God will use it to make you stronger, to make you healthier, and to make you look more like Jesus.

TRIALS

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials" (James 1:2).

 

Nobody likes trials.  Not one person that I know enjoys going through a difficult time.  Rather than enjoying them, we avoid them!  And yet, the Bible says, "consider it all joy".  The idea is to quite literally enjoy our trials with expressions of joy--laughter, smiles, giggles, etc.  This can only honestly happen if we understand what God is doing through our trials (see verses 3-4).  We will get to that in the next few days but for now let's just accept the fact that we will have trials and that God says that we should joyfully appreciate them.

 

Let me unpack two words for you that are in today's verse:  "encounter" and "various".

 

"Encounter" is the Greek word "peripipto" and literally means, "to fall into".  In Luke 10:30, Jesus says that a man "fell among" (peripipto) thieves.  He was attacked and robbed.  Understand that trials come and attack you and if you let them, then they will rob you of your joy.  That is the experience that most of us have.  God says, however, that it doesn't have to be that way--a proper God-perspective of trials can produce joy!

 

"Various" is the Greek word "poikilos" and it means "many-colored".  In addition to describing trials, the Bible uses poikilos in four other ways: 1--"poikilos" diseases, 2--"poikilos" lusts, 3--"poikilos" miracles, and 4--"poikilos" grace.  I find that really interesting.  Perhaps we need "many-colored" miracles for our "many-colored" diseases? And "many-colored" grace for "many-colored" lusts?

 

Today, when you are attacked by your multiple trials, invite the Holy Spirit to give you a proper God-perspective of them.  Allow the Father to enroll you in the School of Joy!

5-Fold Response to Crisis

1. Weep and Wail--Esther 4:1. Crying out is a natural response to severe crisis. It's amazing that so much of what God calls us to do comes quite naturally.

 

2. Take Courage and Overcome Fear--Esther 4:7-13. Queen Esther could easily see the reasons not to act--fear. Mordecai would give her the reasons to act--love.

 

3. Have Faith that Deliverance will Come--Esther 4:14. "Relief and deliverance will arise..." (v14). Now that's faith!

 

4. Understand God's Perspective (Wisdom)--Esther 4:14. "And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?" (v14). Can you see your place in God's plan? Understanding God's perspective of your place under the Sun is wisdom.

 

5. Pray and Fast--Esther 4:16. Anxiety naturally causes the loss of appetite. Match that up with desperate expressions of need to God and you've got a powerful combination.

LOYALTY

"On this day, with Mordecai sitting at the King's Gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs who guarded the entrance, had it in for the king and were making plans to kill King Xerxes. But Mordecai learned of the plot and told Queen Esther, who then told King Xwerxes, giving credit to Mordecai. When the thing was investigated and confirmed as true, the two men wre hanged on a gallows. This was all written down in a logbook kept for the king's use" (Esther 2:21-23, The Message).

 

Mordecai overheard an assination plot being planned against the king and reported it to Queen Esther. It perhaps seems routine and might be simply the right thing to do. This event, however, would have an amazing impact on Mordecai's future. This single act of loyalty to the king would prepare the way for Mordecai to become second in charge in all of the kingdom. God blesses loyalty. "He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness and honor" (Proverbs 21:21, NASB).

 

Perhaps today, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate loyalty. Look for it...

THE MAKING OF ROYALTY

Step 1: Start Where You Are--Read Esther 2:5-7. Esther was an orphaned exile living in a strange land as a ethnic minority. She had nothing going for her except her relative Mordecai and a great big God. What are you beginning today with?

 

Step 2: Look For an Opening--Read Esther 1:16-22. God was making a space for Esther to fill. It was bigger than her wildest dreams! God is making a space for you as well. Can you dream it?

 

Step 3: Meet the Qualifications--Read Esther 2:2-3. The king was looking for "beautiful young virgins"--so is our King, Jesus. You become one by surrendering and entrusting your life to Jesus. He make us all brand new--beautiful, young, and pure! Check out 2 Cor. 5:17 and then invite Jesus to recreate you today.

 

Step 4: Find Favor--Read Esther 2:8-10. Your destiny includes people that God will bring into your life in order to show you favor. These people will share with you the resources that you need to succeed. They will share wisdom, resources, and love. Begin to identify who some of these people might be.

 

Step 5: Prepare--Read Esther 2:12-15. It took more than a year of preparation for Esther to be ready to see the king. In the same way, God is patiently preparing you for the work ahead of you. Don't get in a hurry. Every day brings needed experiences that produce necessary growth for your future.

 

Step 6: Wear Your Crown--Esther 2:17. The day will come when the King will place a crown upon your head. Look forward to it--it is coming!