Seasick

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. James 1:6

Let him ask: request for oneself

Faith: with the predominant idea of trust or confidence

Nothing: no, none, or absolutely nothing

Wavering: to be at variance with oneself, hesitate, doubt

For he: assuredly, verily the one

Like: to resemble

Wave: a surge, a violent agitation of the sea

Driven by the wind: to agitate or blown by the wind

Tossed:  to toss to and fro (it is used of a person whose mind wavers in uncertainty between hope and fear, between doing and not doing a thing)

Doubt. Hesitate. When I don't trust God for wisdom, then I allow doubt and mistrust to gain a foothold. And when that happens, I then will be "tossed to and fro" as I waver between hope and fear. 

Doubt and not fully trusting God, allows fear to take a hold. And fear will then create it's own reality and continue to cause me to be in a violent storm tossing about—talk about being "seasick". That is not what I want for my life! 

So, I have a choice to make. Ask God for wisdom, and TRUST him. OR. Allow doubt and fear to take hold and endure "seasickness". 

My choice—Ask in Faith! 

(To read an earlier blog post on "Fear Creates its Own Reality" here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2010/06/fear-creates-its-own-reality.html)

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!

"Do It or Else" Attitude

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all.

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—

and God took care of each and every one! 

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This post is the continuation of my study of Philemon.  

Therefore, though I have abundant boldness in Christ to charge you to do what is fitting and required and your duty to do,  Philemon 1: 8 (AMP)

Render: Although I have abundant freedom [boldness, or. even license] in Christ to enjoin upon thee that which is fitting. It was only in Christ, and by his authority as an apostle, that he could claim to come between a slave and his master. Secular warrant for doing so he had none. Such authority and license, however, he would not use on this occasion. He prefers to rely wholly on the respect and personal attachment felt towards him by Philemon, for the granting of his request, which he now proceeds to state. 

The Pulpit Commentaries

How many times have I "demanded" someone do something because I know what God's Word says? In Philemon 1:8, Paul although he could DEMAND, based on God's Word that Philemon do something, Paul rather would ask Philemon (vs 9). 

Often we reach a conclusion on a matter LONG before someone else comes to that same conclusion. The "Do it or else" attitude may get immediate results, but the heart of the person, isn't changed into knowing and learning the truth longterm. If we just step back and share God's Truth, often that person can then learn and make the right choice based on what they know and learn. 

Paul because of who he was, an Apostle, and what he know, God's Truth, knew it was the RIGHT thing for Philemon to do—Paul steps back and says.... but that's verse 9. 

When a heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), it teaches one when to come along side another and gentle teach them God's Truth, rather than demand that they obey. Encouragement and teaching done in love and trust produces a much longer desired response, rather than the "Do it or else" attitude. 

Very Best Way Possible

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 91. Here is what I learned.

They will call to me, and I will answer them. I will be with them in ·trouble [distress]; I will rescue them and ·honor [glorify] them. Psalm 91:15 (EXB)

He will call on Me, and I will answer. I’ll be with him through hard times; I’ll rescue him and grant him honor. Psalm 91:15 (VOICE)

"I will answer him." I think we sometimes discourage ourselves by a misconception of the exact meaning of the expression, "answer," taking it to mean only grant. Now, an answer is not necessarily an acquiescence. It may be a refusal, an explanation, a promise, a conditional grant. It is, in fact, simply attention to our request expressed. In this sense, before we call he will answer, and while we are yet speaking he will hear, Isaiah 65:24.  Mary B. M. Duncan

Answer: Pay attention.

I’m so thankful that first, God pays attention to my prayer. I’m also thankful that God answers my prayers using all His wisdom, grace and mercy. He knows much better than I want is best for me. When I pray, I must be watching for HIS answer to my prayers and not some preconceived notion of what I think the answer will be! 

How often do I pray, not desiring God’s best, but rather what I WANT right here and now? Those prayers are that of a two-year old... I want it and I want it NOW! And if God doesn’t give it to me, I get upset and complain. The problem isn’t that God didn’t answer my prayer, but rather that God didn’t give me the answer I WANTED. 

God is paying attention. God does hear my prayers. And because He is a gracious and merciful God, He doesn’t give me all my wants. Rather, He answers my prayers in accordance with His will and His purpose. 

When I pray, I need to pray in accordance to God’s will, knowing that He will answer my prayers in such as way that will glorify Him and accomplish His purpose and plan in my life. 

Praying, expecting and knowing that God will answer in the very best way possible—not just giving me what I want—will create a positive day.