NO DOUBT ALLOWED.

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.

JAMES 1:6.

JAMES HAD DESCRIBED the challenge and the benefits of trusting G.o.d during difficult times. Problems test our faith, he explained, and in the crucible of struggle, we develop the quality of endurance (see James 1:2-3). As we continue to trust G.o.d in hard times, we grow up spiritually, and our faith matures into a deep, strong trust in G.o.d through thick and thin.

To get where G.o.d wants us to go, we desperately need His wisdom so we understand His purpose and processes along the way. He has promised to give us His wisdom generously, but there's a catch: We have to ask in faith and not doubt.

In times of trouble, we naturally doubt just about everything, including our abilities, our understanding, other people's motives, the path forward, and G.o.d's goodness. We can get so wrapped up in trying to figure things out on our own that we almost go crazy! James calls this confusion being "like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." The winds we experience during hard times are all the conflicting thoughts, differing advice from friends, and emotions that can swing between blind hope and deep despair.

When we "ask in faith," we humbly acknowledge that we don't have the answers and we're turning to G.o.d for His help. We need to consider our ways, but we don't want to become obsessed with every possible contingency so that we lose sleep. We also trust that G.o.d will, in His way and in His timing, give us the direction we need. We don't demand an instant answer. We ask, and we wait confidently. During the wait, G.o.d often leads us to truth in His Word and to wise believers who give us valuable insights. Then, when we sense that G.o.d has, in fact, given us His wisdom, we act.

Describe situations when you felt confused and needed G.o.d's wisdom. Did you ask "in faith"?

How would you explain what it means to ask for G.o.d's wisdom without doubting?

"G.o.d's laws work all of the time, not just some of the time, and they work whether you believe in them or not."-ZIG ZIGLAR

OCTOBER 17.

THE KEY TO PLEASING G.o.d.

Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to G.o.d must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

HEBREWS 11:6.

IN THE BOOK OF GENESIS, we read about the life of Enoch, a man who walked with G.o.d so closely that G.o.d plucked him out of this life and into heaven instead of bothering with the normal transition of death (see Genesis 5:23-24, NLT). The writer to the Hebrews explains that G.o.d did this because He was pleased with Enoch (see Hebrews 11:5). The author, though, wants to make it clear what gave pleasure to G.o.d: Enoch's faith. You and I, too, can make G.o.d smile by trusting Him.

Unlike some of the world's religions, Christianity isn't primarily adherence to a set of principles, concepts, or laws. It is a relationship with Almighty G.o.d, who responds emotionally to our att.i.tudes and behavior. Our faith pleases Him, and our lack of faith grieves Him.

The writer expands on the concept of a personal relationship with G.o.d by reminding us that G.o.d rewards those who pursue Him. G.o.d isn't a vending machine that dispenses blessings or curses depending on the currency of behavior we put in the slot. He knows us as a friend knows a friend or, even better, as a parent understands his or her child. He delights in giving us good gifts, and we make Him sad when we don't appreciate what He does for us.

The key to pleasing G.o.d is having faith that He exists, that He is personal, and that He delights in rewarding even our feeble efforts to know Him better.

Is He personal to you? Do you give Him reasons to smile?

How differently do we respond when we believe G.o.d is personal instead of like a vending machine?

Is your faith making G.o.d smile? Why or why not? What can you do to strengthen your faith?

"If we have Christ with us, we can do all things. Let us not be thinking how weak we are. Let us lift up our eyes to Him and think of Him as our Elder Brother who has all power given to Him in Heaven and on earth. He says, 'Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.'"-D. L. MOODY

OCTOBER 18.

QUe SERa, SERa.

That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.

ECCLESIASTES 1:9.

SOLOMON SHREWDLY OBSERVED the way life works, and he never sugarcoated reality. In this verse, Solomon seems to be saying that we have to accept things the way they are because few things ever change, but he's also acknowledging the value of constancy in our universe and in our daily lives.

We take many things for granted because they've been consistent for so long. The rhythm of days, weeks, seasons, and years never changes. Up is always up, and down is always down. Consistency can be really boring if we're talking about our daily routines, but constancy in the physical world is a wonderful (if often overlooked) gift from G.o.d! And in our advanced culture today, we enjoy even more constancy because most of us don't have to worry about the weather to see if our crops will grow so we can eat. Certainly, we experience variations in things like our choice of foods and risks like new relationships and business decisions, but in many respects, we live in a remarkably stable environment.

G.o.d gives us our surprisingly constant world so that we don't have to spend our energies on survival. We can devote our creativity to things that will make a difference: caring for people and taking risks to accomplish great things for G.o.d.

What are some things you appreciate about G.o.d's gift of constancy?

How can you use the security of constancy to focus your energies on things that matter?

"One cure for boredom is to forget yourself through activities which bring you in touch with people and ideas outside yourself."-BLANCHE MCKEOWN

OCTOBER 19.

ETERNITY IN THEIR HEARTS.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that G.o.d does from beginning to end.

ECCLESIASTES 3:11.

IN EVERY AGE, culture, religion, and nation, people have an innate awareness that life transcends what they can see, taste, feel, and smell. All of them know a supernatural world exists, though they may pursue it in different ways. People may try to define the supernatural world or categorize it into "steps" or "paths" or "G.o.ds" or "laws" but people's meager attempts to put labels on G.o.d fall far short. Even we Christians, who have the truth of the Scriptures to tell us about G.o.d, recognize that He is far greater than we can conceive.

Certainty and mystery-these two opposing facts of life give us a firm foundation but keep us amazed at the greatness and goodness of G.o.d. Creation shouts that G.o.d exists, and history declares that He became a man and died for our sins two millennia ago. About these things, we can be certain. But in this life, we often can't see the hand of G.o.d working in individual lives-especially our own! His ways are mysterious and sometimes bewildering.

Great art often combines certainty and mystery to intrigue us. That's part of what makes it beautiful. In the same way, G.o.d blends those traits in our lives and in our world to make "everything beautiful in its time."

Do you feel more comfortable with certainty or with mystery?

What are some reasons you need the other trait in your life and in your walk with G.o.d?

"Live near to G.o.d and all things will appear little to you in comparison with eternal realities."-ROBERT MURRAY M'CHEYNE

OCTOBER 20.

AN IMMORTAL LEGACY.

I know that whatever G.o.d does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. G.o.d does it, that men should fear before Him.

ECCLESIASTES 3:14.

DOES WHAT WE DO for G.o.d really matter? Sometimes we wonder. We look around at others who don't care about G.o.d but seem to be getting ahead far faster than we are, and we get discouraged. We need to remember that for all of eternity, G.o.d will honor every moment we trust Him, every word we say to communicate His truth, and every move we make to follow His leading. All these things are not only done for Him but done by Him as He works in our hearts. Nothing is wasted. Nothing is forgotten.

If we live for the applause of people, we often will be disappointed. But if we live with a deep reverence for the One who is both King and Savior, we realize that He is the One who ultimately holds the measuring stick and determines which kind of life has real value.

We all leave a legacy, but G.o.d determines the eternal value of our lives. We can live each day with the confidence that G.o.d will one day measure our lives and give them a grade. On that day, some who appeared to be really successful might find they weren't so hot after all, and G.o.d will smile at some who were faithful and loving but overlooked.

What are you doing these days that has eternal value?

What adjustments do you need to make so that your legacy is more pleasing to G.o.d?

"The greatest investment you can make in this world is in G.o.d's Word and G.o.d's people. They are two things that last forever and pay eternal dividends."-RICK WARREN

OCTOBER 21.

WHEN LESS IS MORE.

Better a handful with quietness than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.

ECCLESIASTES 4:6.

MANY OF US ARE AFFLICTED with the "go, go, go disease." Somehow, we've developed the core belief that we can't be happy unless we have our lives full of activities. But the disease leaves us feeling exhausted. Our most cherished relationships become shallow and tense, and we become confused because we're trying so hard but feel so empty. We're "grasping for the wind."

In our light-speed culture, one of the marks of true wisdom is the determination to carve out time and s.p.a.ce to reflect, rest, and recharge our emotional batteries. Creating "margin" in our lives doesn't just happen. We have to schedule it, value it, and then protect it from the onslaught of voices that scream, "You've got to do this, too!"

The price we pay for creating these regular times is that we have to say no to some activities, but we need to be honest about the price we've paid for saying yes to too many things. Making margin a priority reduces stress, increases fulfillment, and leads to richer relationships with G.o.d and every person in our lives. Is it worth the effort?

What are some of the effects of "go, go, go disease" in your life and in the lives of those you love?

What do you need to do to carve out time and s.p.a.ce for yourself?

"My G.o.d, give me neither poverty or riches, but whatsoever it may be. Thy will to give, give me with it a heart that knows humbly to acquiesce in what is Thy will."-GOTTHOLD EPHRAIM LESSING

OCTOBER 22.