{"id":21821,"date":"2017-12-03T00:05:03","date_gmt":"2017-12-03T08:05:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=21821"},"modified":"2017-11-29T13:59:31","modified_gmt":"2017-11-29T21:59:31","slug":"december-3-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2017\/12\/03\/december-3-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"December 3, 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201c\u2019And where I go you know, and the way you know.\u2019 Thomas said to Him, \u2018Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?\u2019\u201d<\/i> John 14:4-5<\/p>\n

Go On, Ask!<\/b><\/h2>\n

I took a class back in my college days in which I was completely, hopelessly lost at all times. From the first moment the professor opened his mouth, I was in over my head. Normally, I am comfortable asking questions to clarify, but not this time. I wouldn\u2019t have understood his answer any more than I understood his lecture.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all experienced wanting to know something, but we\u2019re afraid to ask. We don\u2019t want to look foolish, or we realize we\u2019ve already been told a million times, or we don\u2019t want people to think poorly of us, because AFTER ALL they all seem to know whatever it is I want to know. Apparently, I wasn\u2019t paying attention when the information was given\u2026<\/p>\n

Not so with the disciple, Thomas. He didn\u2019t grasp what Jesus was saying, and he spoke right up, displaying his heart to understand. Disciples in that culture were comfortable asking questions of their teachers.<\/p>\n

Do we do that? Do we, as Jesus\u2019 disciples, ask the Holy Spirit for help understanding what a difficult Scripture passage means? Do we feel free to step right up and be bold in this? Do we read slowly and thoughtfully enough to know that we don\u2019t know? Do we meditate on Scripture and realize that we are missing something of its meaning?<\/p>\n

\u201cIf 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\u201d<\/i> (James 1:5). This Scripture says to ask for wisdom, which means comprehensive insight, Christian enlightenment, a right application of knowledge, and insight into the true nature of things.<\/i><\/p>\n

We need guidance in understanding. Guidance is the job of the Holy Spirit. We should always ask Him to lead us into wisdom when we read the Bible.<\/p>\n

We needn\u2019t fear reproach. \u201cIf 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\u201d<\/i> (James 1:5). It doesn\u2019t matter what anyone else thinks, or what they know (or act like they know). The Father will not reproach you\u2014He won\u2019t make fun of you, mock you, ridicule, scold, or insult you. He gives wisdom without reminding us of how many times we\u2019ve already been told.<\/p>\n

\u201cFather, it is such a relief to be able to come boldly to Your throne and ask You to help us understand. Thank You for the gift of understanding and wisdom. In Jesus\u2019 Name, Amen.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>

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