Request from the One giving! (James)

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5

(For the first part of the verse visit this link:

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-art-of-using-wisdom-james.html)

Let him ask: request for oneself

Giveth: to grant, give to one asking, let have

All: means "all" in the sense of each (every) part that applies

Liberally: simply, openly, frankly, sincerely, led solely by his desire to bless

Upbraideth: finding fault, to disgrace (insult), reproach; mock (curse); insult, cast blame (create shame) 

Not: negates the underlying idea (concept) of a statement, ruling out its possibilities, 

And: moreover, even, indeed

Given: to grant, give to one asking, let have

Literal translation: Let him request from the One giving. 

The art of USING wisdom. What good is it to know something, and not put it to use? 

And if you are absent of wisdom, you are to go to the source — God Himself, the One who can supply wisdom! 

If you need the plumbing fixed at your home, you don't ask the grocery clerk to fix it. You call a plumber. When you need wisdom, looking for it in the wrong place will get you nowhere. 

Yet, in our lives, when we need wisdom, we turn to whomever is on TV, or the latest self-help book. While those things may have some good ideas, it is not true wisdom! 

The art of using wisdom is vital to life. And when wisdom is absent, then trouble begins. 

If I am not practicing the art of USING wisdom, then I need to go directly to the SOURCE and request wisdom. God is waiting to give it to me. He will not scold me for not asking sooner. He will not tell me that this is the UMPTEENTH time, I've asked for the same wisdom. He will not shame me or find fault that I don't know something. 

God is waiting to abundantly supply all that I need to know so that I can practice the art of using wisdom! 

I only need to REQUEST from the One giving!

Proverbs 8:12-14: Super Hero Wisdom!

I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power. Proverbs 8:12-14

Dwell: abide with

Prudence: discretion

Possess: find out thoroughly; solve riddle

Knowledge: discernment, understanding, wisdom

Discretion: power of devising, discretion

Fear: reverence

Lord: deity, Yahweh

Hate: enemy, foe, repulsive

Evil: ethical wretchedness

Pride: highly exalt

Arrogance: swelling, haughtiness

Behavior: of moral action and character

Counsel: advice, advisement, purpose

Sound judgment: efficient wisdom, abiding success

Insight: understanding, knowledge, meaning—perfectly

Power: might, valour, of warriors, force, mastery

Super Hero Wisdom! 

As I read Proverbs 8:12-14, a Super Hero image came to mind. One with the strength and power to defeat the wickedness. Super Hero Wisdom has the power! 

Super Hero Wisdom is repulsed by evil and has the power to keep others from evil. But Super Hero Wisdom doesn't just have random power—she also has knowledge and advise that guides the power specifically to meet the need. Super Hero Wisdom cannot be separated from her power—she IS knowledge, discernment, and understanding. And because her super power is based on the Fear of the Lord—there is an unending supply of that knowledge and power. Her source is the Eternal Almighty God. 

Super Hero Wisdom—that is someone who I want to know and be along side of me as I face the evil in this world. And when my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then Super Hero Wisdom is on duty!