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A Fragrance of Christ...to God - James 1:5-12: Don’t Waste It! September 23, 2007
“To have the right attitude in trials, one must see the advantage in trials. If it is difficult to see the advantages… ASK (correctly!) for wisdom.”
4. Ask!
“Asking for wisdom in faith means committing oneself to obey what God reveals.”
I Kings 3:5
Proverbs 2:6
Stipulations in Asking:
A. in faith – 6-8 - knowing God can and will
- Isaiah 57:20
“A Perfect Storm”
- Ephesians 4:14
- Romans 4:20-21
- “double-minded” – and in 4:8 –
B. in hope – 9-11 ...seeing the eternal advantages
Isaiah 40:6-7
C. with perseverance, in love - 12
II Timothy 4:7
- crown of life … the crown is life
Revelation 2:10
Why should we… 1. Consider/Count in all joy? ...God’s love...He won’t harm us 2. Know trials produce maturity? ...God’s love...He’s shared truth with us 3. Let our will be submissive to Him? ...God’s love...demands surrender obedience
4. Ask God for wisdom? ...God’s love...He wants the best for us
We need to ask for wisdom so we won’t waste the opportunities God gives us to mature!
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