James 1:9-11

9Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.  11For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes.  So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

***

You know the feeling after a long, cold winter when a gentle rain comes and warms the earth?  It melts away any trace of a harsh nip.  Green blades of grass then poke through the soil, flowers stretch their stems and bloom, revealing the vibrant colors beneath the bulb.

But just as quickly as they came, they disappear.  Summertime takes over and the heat of the sun almost seems to much for these helpless plants.  They wilt and die before we can fully appreciate their beauty.

This is how the rich are illustrated in James.  When James describes the "rich man" I believe he is referring to those whose lives revolve around money, things, and the possessions this world has to offer.  So it is very important to pay attention when James tells us that "the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits".

I don't know about you, but I do not want to be that rich man.  I do not want to be the one following after everything except Christ.  Our focus should be on Him alone because He's the only one will last forever.

James - Part 2

James 1: 5-8

5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

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Have you ever asked God for direction?  I know when my friends confide in me I silently ask God for wisdom so I know what I should say or if I should say anything at all.

This passage says we should ask for wisdom without doubting.  Without doubting whether or not God may grant us the wisdom.  He tells us He'll give us wisdom, but He wants us to trust Him enough to believe He will fulfill His promise.

Re-read the second half of verse six.  Basically, whoever doubts has no firm foundation.  She just goes with the flow and is constantly unstable in her beliefs.  How can she be solid on anything if she doubts everything?

But God is telling us that He will help us and give us the wisdom we need if we will only have faith that He can do it and trust that He will do it.