“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” (James 1:5, NLT)
**** I'm sorry for a long wait between meditations due to surgery on February 5th. It has been a painful time. Even completing this meditation caused me a good deal of pain. Still, God gave me a message for you today, so I had to share it! I'll have more meditations as soon as I can type without too much pain and as God leads me!
Jerry Brunsky needed a vacation. He often worked six days a week, with little time for his family. Because of his intelligence and business savvy, Jerry was sought out by investors and fellow business owners alike. He was invited to speak at community gatherings. His business acumen had earned him several awards. It had been almost five years since Jerry’s last vacation. Like everything else in his life, Jerry was going to do his research. This time, though, his research would revolve around vacation sites for his time off.
Jerry planned everything for his family’s vacation. They were going to the coast. He informed the family of where they were going and the dates when they would be away. Everything went smoothly, despite packing for a family of six for two weeks. Jerry’s wife, Jill, smiled constantly just thinking of all the fun they might have while on vacation.
For months the entire family had made plans, read brochures, and performed searches on the internet to find places of interest to visit. They read up on local legends and scoured reviews of new places to eat. The whole family was primed for this new adventure!
The Brunsky family checked into the hotel by the ocean. The hotel staff offered to take care of their luggage and offered warm wishes for their stay. They were very friendly. This vacation was going to be awesome!
On the first full day of the vacation, Jerry’s son asked why nobody was swimming down at the water next to the hotel. Jerry suggested that maybe it was the cool ocean water that kept people away. Jerry’s wife suggested they inquire about it with the person at the hotel registration desk. Jerry told her not to worry. The sun was shining! The ocean sparkled. Everything seemed perfect.
After setting up a large umbrella in the sand at the hotel beach, Jerry and his family proceeded to set up a little oasis for their day. They chose a place that was not crowded. The children built castles in the sand and explored the beach. Jerry and Jill bathed in the bright sun. For the first time in a long time, Jerry felt he could relax. Feeling a little warm, he decided to take a dip in the ocean to cool off.
While in the water, Jerry felt the cool. Then, he felt a prick, like a sting. Surprised by the pain, Jerry left the water and asked his wife for some Tylenol and swigged two alcoholic drinks to numb the pain. Then, he asked her to look at his back, where he felt the sting. Jerry’s wife suggested they go back to the hotel and rest. Jerry ignored the pain, sat back on the sand, and fell asleep. An hour later, Jerry awoke to more pain in his back. By then the family was ready for lunch. Though in pain, Jerry helped pack up everything and the family headed back to the comfort of their spacious hotel suite.
Six hours later, Jerry was in the hospital. Far from enjoying his day, Jerry writhed with pain. Come to find out, Jerry was stung by a jellyfish. After staying in the hospital overnight, Jerry came back to the hotel but was required to be on bed rest for several days. Hotel staff stopped in regularly to bring meals and to check on Jerry. At one point, a staffer said to Jerry, “Didn’t you notice the purple flags by the beach?” Jerry responded that he thought the flags were some kind of decoration. The staffer then told him that purple flags were warning flags that were put up when large groups of jellyfish were present just off the beach. The staffer then said, “If you’d have just asked us, we’d have been glad to warn you of the jellyfish. We take the safety and enjoyment of our guests very seriously.” Jerry remembered at that very moment his wife saying he should ask the hotel staff why people weren’t in the water at the beach. Why didn’t he listen?
At that moment, Jerry knew he had messed up. There were several opportunities to prevent his accident. He was so sure that he knew all he needed to know about the area that he failed to ask. The locals knew the situation. They knew of the jellyfish danger. They had put up the purple flags. He found out later that he had walked right past a warning sign about jellyfish as the family entered the beach area. Half of Jerry’s vacation was spent in the hotel bed, in pain, and regretting his reluctance to just ask a few questions!
Some people are too prideful to ask questions. Some are too ashamed! You might feel self-conscious when you need to inquire about things you don’t know. You don’t want to appear stupid? There is so much about life you do not know. School can only teach you so much. Life can be complicated. Issues can arise. Problems may crop up. Only by asking the right questions may you get needed answers for the moment. And yet, people are hesitant to ask needed questions. They don’t want to appear ignorant or dim-witted, right?
There are more things in life to learn about than you can ever know. Questions help you to learn more, be prepared, seek help, and know whom to trust. Questions are a necessary part of life. They are also a necessary part of a spiritual life.
God knows so much more than you do! The Bible, God’s Word, contains tons of valuable wisdom, pithy proverbs, and insights into faithful living. Even the disciples learned to ask Jesus questions about his teachings, his parables, and his commands. In Mark 9, the disciples failed to understand Jesus’ teaching about the Son of Man who would offer up his life. Mark 9:32 goes on to explain how the disciples “were afraid to ask Jesus” what His words meant. Jesus saw their lack of understanding. He knew they frequently kept quiet, not asking questions, not wanting to appear stupid. Sadly, Jesus had to correct their error. Out of exasperation for their lack of willingness to seek answers, Jesus admonished the disciples in Mark 8:21 stating, “Do you not yet understand?” The disciples did not answer.
Our scripture reading for today comes from James 1:5. In this verse, you are told that if you ever need wisdom or answers in life, all you need to do is “ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” Just as Jesus wanted the disciples to ask questions and learn from His teaching, God desires you to find answers in Him. The Holy Spirit is available to direct your steps, lead your spiritual growth, and prompt you to seek answers and spiritual direction.
Bill Bright, one of the great evangelists of the twentieth century, once commented on how he learned to be so good at saving souls. He wrote the following words in his book, Promises: A Guide to Supernatural Living:
“Often—many times a day—I need divine wisdom, not only in the multitudes of decisions that I must make daily, but also in the witnessing situations the Lord brings across my path. No doubt you recognize a similar need in your life.
All I have to do to have His presence guide me, if my heart is right with Him, is to ask in faith, and He promises the wisdom I need for each day and for each moment of the day.
If we are going to live supernatural lives, and if we are going to demonstrate to others that they, too, can live such a life, then we must begin to think and act differently. And that is possible only as we go to the source of all divine wisdom.
God’s ear is always open to this kind of prayer….
Why does one need to pray to gain this wisdom? Perhaps because prayer is humbling and involves an acknowledgment of our inadequacy. Prayer opens our hearts and lives to the transforming influence of the Spirit of God.”
Today, I invite you to ask God any questions you may have. Look for God’s direction. Let the Holy Spirit guide you to the right answers. Read your Bible for insight. Seek God’s wisdom and understanding. For every sticking point in your life, God has answers. All you need to do is ask for God’s help and seek His guidance.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
I love You, dear Lord my God! In Jesus Christ, I have discerned Your will. I have learned to trust Your Spirit. Each time I call to You in prayer, I know You are aware of my needs.
Today, I have questions. They eat away at my calm. I do not have all the answers. I feel like I am in the dark. Show me what I need. Grant me wisdom. Let Your Spirit guide my steps and incline my heart toward Your will. I have set aside my pride so to listen, to learn, to understand. Do not let me languish in doubt and uncertainty.
I pray today for those who are afraid to ask You questions. I pray for those too prideful to seek Your direction, for those who ignore Your commands. I have learned to obey Your word and be true to Your calling. Help me not only to find answers in You but to help others find answers as well. In Christ Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Jerry planned everything for his family’s vacation. They were going to the coast. He informed the family of where they were going and the dates when they would be away. Everything went smoothly, despite packing for a family of six for two weeks. Jerry’s wife, Jill, smiled constantly just thinking of all the fun they might have while on vacation.
For months the entire family had made plans, read brochures, and performed searches on the internet to find places of interest to visit. They read up on local legends and scoured reviews of new places to eat. The whole family was primed for this new adventure!
The Brunsky family checked into the hotel by the ocean. The hotel staff offered to take care of their luggage and offered warm wishes for their stay. They were very friendly. This vacation was going to be awesome!
On the first full day of the vacation, Jerry’s son asked why nobody was swimming down at the water next to the hotel. Jerry suggested that maybe it was the cool ocean water that kept people away. Jerry’s wife suggested they inquire about it with the person at the hotel registration desk. Jerry told her not to worry. The sun was shining! The ocean sparkled. Everything seemed perfect.
After setting up a large umbrella in the sand at the hotel beach, Jerry and his family proceeded to set up a little oasis for their day. They chose a place that was not crowded. The children built castles in the sand and explored the beach. Jerry and Jill bathed in the bright sun. For the first time in a long time, Jerry felt he could relax. Feeling a little warm, he decided to take a dip in the ocean to cool off.
While in the water, Jerry felt the cool. Then, he felt a prick, like a sting. Surprised by the pain, Jerry left the water and asked his wife for some Tylenol and swigged two alcoholic drinks to numb the pain. Then, he asked her to look at his back, where he felt the sting. Jerry’s wife suggested they go back to the hotel and rest. Jerry ignored the pain, sat back on the sand, and fell asleep. An hour later, Jerry awoke to more pain in his back. By then the family was ready for lunch. Though in pain, Jerry helped pack up everything and the family headed back to the comfort of their spacious hotel suite.
Six hours later, Jerry was in the hospital. Far from enjoying his day, Jerry writhed with pain. Come to find out, Jerry was stung by a jellyfish. After staying in the hospital overnight, Jerry came back to the hotel but was required to be on bed rest for several days. Hotel staff stopped in regularly to bring meals and to check on Jerry. At one point, a staffer said to Jerry, “Didn’t you notice the purple flags by the beach?” Jerry responded that he thought the flags were some kind of decoration. The staffer then told him that purple flags were warning flags that were put up when large groups of jellyfish were present just off the beach. The staffer then said, “If you’d have just asked us, we’d have been glad to warn you of the jellyfish. We take the safety and enjoyment of our guests very seriously.” Jerry remembered at that very moment his wife saying he should ask the hotel staff why people weren’t in the water at the beach. Why didn’t he listen?
At that moment, Jerry knew he had messed up. There were several opportunities to prevent his accident. He was so sure that he knew all he needed to know about the area that he failed to ask. The locals knew the situation. They knew of the jellyfish danger. They had put up the purple flags. He found out later that he had walked right past a warning sign about jellyfish as the family entered the beach area. Half of Jerry’s vacation was spent in the hotel bed, in pain, and regretting his reluctance to just ask a few questions!
Some people are too prideful to ask questions. Some are too ashamed! You might feel self-conscious when you need to inquire about things you don’t know. You don’t want to appear stupid? There is so much about life you do not know. School can only teach you so much. Life can be complicated. Issues can arise. Problems may crop up. Only by asking the right questions may you get needed answers for the moment. And yet, people are hesitant to ask needed questions. They don’t want to appear ignorant or dim-witted, right?
There are more things in life to learn about than you can ever know. Questions help you to learn more, be prepared, seek help, and know whom to trust. Questions are a necessary part of life. They are also a necessary part of a spiritual life.
God knows so much more than you do! The Bible, God’s Word, contains tons of valuable wisdom, pithy proverbs, and insights into faithful living. Even the disciples learned to ask Jesus questions about his teachings, his parables, and his commands. In Mark 9, the disciples failed to understand Jesus’ teaching about the Son of Man who would offer up his life. Mark 9:32 goes on to explain how the disciples “were afraid to ask Jesus” what His words meant. Jesus saw their lack of understanding. He knew they frequently kept quiet, not asking questions, not wanting to appear stupid. Sadly, Jesus had to correct their error. Out of exasperation for their lack of willingness to seek answers, Jesus admonished the disciples in Mark 8:21 stating, “Do you not yet understand?” The disciples did not answer.
Our scripture reading for today comes from James 1:5. In this verse, you are told that if you ever need wisdom or answers in life, all you need to do is “ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” Just as Jesus wanted the disciples to ask questions and learn from His teaching, God desires you to find answers in Him. The Holy Spirit is available to direct your steps, lead your spiritual growth, and prompt you to seek answers and spiritual direction.
Bill Bright, one of the great evangelists of the twentieth century, once commented on how he learned to be so good at saving souls. He wrote the following words in his book, Promises: A Guide to Supernatural Living:
“Often—many times a day—I need divine wisdom, not only in the multitudes of decisions that I must make daily, but also in the witnessing situations the Lord brings across my path. No doubt you recognize a similar need in your life.
All I have to do to have His presence guide me, if my heart is right with Him, is to ask in faith, and He promises the wisdom I need for each day and for each moment of the day.
If we are going to live supernatural lives, and if we are going to demonstrate to others that they, too, can live such a life, then we must begin to think and act differently. And that is possible only as we go to the source of all divine wisdom.
God’s ear is always open to this kind of prayer….
Why does one need to pray to gain this wisdom? Perhaps because prayer is humbling and involves an acknowledgment of our inadequacy. Prayer opens our hearts and lives to the transforming influence of the Spirit of God.”
Today, I invite you to ask God any questions you may have. Look for God’s direction. Let the Holy Spirit guide you to the right answers. Read your Bible for insight. Seek God’s wisdom and understanding. For every sticking point in your life, God has answers. All you need to do is ask for God’s help and seek His guidance.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
I love You, dear Lord my God! In Jesus Christ, I have discerned Your will. I have learned to trust Your Spirit. Each time I call to You in prayer, I know You are aware of my needs.
Today, I have questions. They eat away at my calm. I do not have all the answers. I feel like I am in the dark. Show me what I need. Grant me wisdom. Let Your Spirit guide my steps and incline my heart toward Your will. I have set aside my pride so to listen, to learn, to understand. Do not let me languish in doubt and uncertainty.
I pray today for those who are afraid to ask You questions. I pray for those too prideful to seek Your direction, for those who ignore Your commands. I have learned to obey Your word and be true to Your calling. Help me not only to find answers in You but to help others find answers as well. In Christ Jesus, I pray. Amen.