Don't know, "ASK!" Does that sound like good advice? The writers of our Bible think so. God even says in Jer. 33:3 to "Ask of me and I will show you great and mighty things which you knoweth not." Then the Lord also spoke: Ask, seek, knock and you will find, but it is implied to "keep on asking, seeking, knocking."
James has the most convincing words about our "asking." He says, "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone."
We know, also, from God's own words, that "in a multitude of counselors, there is safety," but if we want to hear from God about "anything" we need to ask Him to make it plain for us...spell it out, so to speak. The warning also comes from James, "Do not waver for a person with divided loyalty, is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do."
Once we have decided to ask...IN FAITH...for wisdom from God, we have promises that are SOOO encouraging. "Ask and receive so that your joy may be full." If we ask our Father for bread, will He give us a stone? Of course, not! Then also, John 8:31-32 says: "to the people who believed in Him, 'You are truly my disciples (students) if you remain faithful to my teachings. AND you WILL know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"
My Life Application Bible says this about vs. 32 -- "Jesus himself is the truth that sets us free (8:36). He is the source of truth, the perfect standard of what is right. He frees us from continued slavery to sin, from self-deception, and from deception by Satan. He shows us clearly the way to eternal life with God. Thus, Jesus does not give us freedom to do what we want, but freedom to follow God. As we seek to serve God, Jesus' perfect truth frees us to be all that God meant us to be."
Wow! It is mind boggling for me to try to understand how much Jesus, especially through the power of the Holy Spirit, wants to "show, teach and aid us" in our desire to grow into more mature Christians.
When the Bible says, "They will know (recognize) us by our love", -- WILL THEY? I need to ask for more...more wisdom, more help, more guidance, more understanding, more love, more trust...MORE of everything Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, wants to give me and I pray you will too! Let's obey the invitation, "Come BOLDLY to the throne of grace and find help in time of need."
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