Each Day Already is a Challenge

More Sermon Notes - July 22

This continues our pastor's series from James.

Faith Works (Part 3)

Winning at Life's Mind-Games

"We make our decisions and then our decisions make us." - Frank Forham

AGGRAVATION: Waivering indecision.

† James 1:8 NIV
He is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Levels of instability.

Emotional instability.
"The most miserablel person in the world is the person who is habitually indecisive." William James

Some people use more energy deciding than doing.

Relational instability.

Spiritual instability.
† James 1:7 GW
A person who has doubts shouldn't expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Spiritual instability blocks our prayers and our blessings.

We need to be believers 24/7, not Christians on Sunday and AWOL on Monday.

ANSWER: Wisdom of God.

† James 1:5-6 NIV
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

The world is not about wisdom. Wisdom is the application of knowledge.

Steps to the answer:

See the need.

† Proverbs 11:2 NIV
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Seek the wisdom.

† Proverbs 2:6 NCV
Only the Lord gives wisdom; he gives knowledge and understanding.

Secure your faith.

† Hebrews 11:6 NIV
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Doubt is there every day. We have to ask for wisdom every day - BELIEVING.

ASSURANCE: Willingness of God.

Wisdom is in the Word.

† Psalms 119:105 NIV
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Having a light on your path means you won't stub your toes.

It's my choice.

Free will is both a blessing and a curse. If God doesn't answer and you say, "I knew He wouldn't", well DUH. You have to believe.

Focus on Him not on the circumstances.

God gives continually, generously an cheerfully. There is grace for all of our mistakes.