Thrive with Vision
Notes
Transcript
Thrive with Vision
James 1:5-8
ILL- Jay Walking
In the 1920’s the auto industry was getting bad press as cars were killing a large number of pedestrians while they tried to cross the street. Auto industry came out with the idea of “Jay Walking”. “Jay” was a derogatory term referring to someone who wasn’t very smart. It was not long before news media began blaming the pedestrians for being killed by cars while crossing the street.
Propaganda/ Spin/ Fake news
Truth matters- It is truth that will set us free. Not news stories we hope to be true.
We can get past surviving and start thriving when we see things as God sees them.
READ James 1:5-8
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Pray
Context: How to have a good attitude in midst of hard days.
3 Ways to See Clearly
Pray for Wisdom (5)
Pray for Wisdom (5)
Context- Wisdom to understand purpose of trials.
Wisdom leads to righteousness- right living.
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
Wisdom leads to the right perspective.
Keeps away panic.
Panic happens when we don’t interpret the data biblically.
ILL- Men of Issachar
1 Chronicles 12:32
Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.
True wisdom is seeing the world the way God sees the world.
Not the way we want to see the world or the way we wish the world was.
God’s plan is not our plan. He sees a much larger picture than we do.
Romans 8:25-28
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Pray with Faith (6-7)
Pray with Faith (6-7)
James makes it clear that faith and action go together.
James 2:17-18
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
Praying in faith provides a strong foundation, unlike a wave in the sea that goes wherever the wind blows.
We can be so easily persuaded to follow anyone who is a good speaker.
With godly wisdom we will not be tossed around by every new political agenda or theological debate.
Build life on the rock- not the sand.
Solomon- in 2 Chronicles 1 - he asked God for wisdom
God gives him wisdom, knowledge and wealth.
verse 7- Doubting means we do not trust God. We are Unstable.
Pray with Purpose (8)
Pray with Purpose (8)
ILL- Jews leaving Egypt
Always looking back to Egypt and trying to look forward with God.
When stuck against Red Sea and Pharaoh's army approaching
Exodus 14:12
Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”
Moses’ Reply
Exodus 14:13
And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.
Stay single-minded- look toward God and do not keep looking at the world.
APP- yes, things are hard right now
But this did not surprise God.
God is working these things out for his glory.
It’s not about us. It’s about God.
CONCLUSION
Elisha and servant- surrounded by army. Asked for servant to see.
Let us ask God to help us see during these difficult days.
God is working to bring salvation to the lost.
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 10:9
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Will you build your life upon the Rock?