James 1:5-8 (NKJV) If 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. But 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. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
God encourages us through the book of James to seek Him for wisdom when we face trials. God has more than sufficient wisdom available to help us through every circumstance. However, we need to start by having faith that this wisdom is available to us and believe that we will receive it when we ask Him. Then, we will be able to apply this wisdom with confidence, knowing that we have heard from God.
This faith and confidence arise from our close relationship with God because we have cultivated the godly habit of seeking His face daily, rather than turning to Him only in emergencies. Seeking the face of God for guidance must be a daily practice for us. When Daniel interpreted the secret to King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream for him, he did not seek God’s face only in a crisis and demanded that God speak immediately. Even if he had heard from God then, he would have doubted if it was the first time that he had heard from God. Instead, it was Daniel’s close relationship with God that gave him his faith and confidence.
God promised that He would draw near to us if we draw near to Him (James 4:8). He longs to fellowship with us whenever we give Him the opportunity, and desires to connect with us throughout the day, just like how branches are connected to the vine. There is a calm in our spirit when we are quiet before the Lord, and a simple awareness of His presence as our heart seeks Him out and opens to receive His love.
You will be able to tap into God’s wisdom in the boardroom. But it has to start with the closet in your home, where you spend quiet moments in God’s presence to listen to Him. God will meet the real us as we bare our souls to Him.
The Great Shepherd is a good shepherd who protects His sheep from predators. He leads us to green pastures and still waters. Many voices clamour for our attention, and there is no shortage of good suggestions from other people and media outlets. However, unless we listen to the voice of Jesus, there is a tendency for us to stray, go our way, and leave the sheepfold, where there is no protection. What we want to do is to tune in to one voice—the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. It is when we tune in to His voice that we will follow Him. There is protection in the presence of the Good Shepherd who will lay down His life for us. Learn to trust the Good Shepherd! He will not harm you because He has your best interests at heart.
Sermon Series：Promotion Comes From God
每日寻主面，得智慧
雅各书1:5-8 你们中间若有缺少智慧的，应当求那厚赐于众人也不斥责人的神，主就必赐给他。 只要凭着信心求，一点不疑惑；因为那疑惑的人就像海中的波浪，被风吹动翻腾。 这样的人不要想从主那里得什么， 心怀二意的人在他一切所行的路上都没有定见。
神藉着雅各书鼓励我们，在面临试炼时要向祂寻求智慧。祂的智慧丰盛有余，足以帮助我们度过任何境遇。然而，我们首先需要以信心相信这智慧是祂乐意赐下的，并且确信当我们祈求时，祂必回应。这样，我们就能满有把握地运用这智慧，深知自己已领受了神的心意。
这样的信心与笃定，源于我们与神亲密的关系——因为我们养成了每日寻求祂面的敬虔习惯，而非只在危急关头才转向祂。寻求神的面以得指引，必须成为我们每日的操练。当但以理为尼布甲尼撒王解梦时，他并非在危机中才匆忙求问神，要求祂立刻回应。即便那时他听见神的声音，若这是他第一次聆听神，他也难免心生疑虑。相反，正是但以理与神亲密的相交，赋予了他这样的信心与确据。
神应许我们：“你们亲近神，神就必亲近你们。”（雅各书4:8） 祂渴望与我们相交，每当我们向祂敞开，祂就乐意与我们联结，如同枝子连于葡萄树。当我们在主面前安静时，灵里便得安宁；当我们的心寻求祂、向祂敞开以领受祂的爱时，便能单纯地感知祂的同在。
你可以在会议室中支取神的智慧，但这必须从家中的内室开始——在那里，你花时间安静于神面前，聆听祂的声音。神必亲自遇见真实的我们，当我们向祂全然敞开灵魂之时。
大牧者是好牧人，祂保护羊群免遭掠食者的侵害，引领我们到青草地和可安歇的水边。许多声音争相吸引我们的注意，来自他人或媒体的“好建议”也不胜枚举。然而，若不倾听耶稣的声音，我们很容易偏行己路，离开羊圈的保护。我们所要做的，是单单调频于一个声音——圣灵那微小却清晰的声音。唯有当我们聆听祂的声音，才能跟随祂。在好牧人的同在中才有真正的保护，祂甚至为我们舍命。学会信靠这位好牧人吧！祂绝不会伤害你，因祂心里顾念你至深的益处。
讲章系列：晋升来自于神
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