The Search for Wisdom Psalms 90: 12

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(So teach us to number our days, that we may aply our hearts unto widsom.)

1. To discover God’s way.

How He leads.

2. To learn God’s truth.

as related to our specific needs.

3. To know God’s heart.

To know how to please Him.

This is so important.

4. To love God completely.

So leading to acceptance of His will and ways.

5. To see God’s word followed.

(His word is right always. We are to be knowledgeable in His word and 

follow its guidance.   Ps. 32: 8

6. To be loyal and steadfast in service to God.

not weary in well doing.

7. To make God’s desire our priority.

The Closet of Prayer Psalms 11

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(And it came to pass, that, as He was praying in a certain place, when He

ceased,)

1. Prayer has both a beginning and an ending.

We talk to God who is both the Alpha and the Omega.

2. Prayer has specific intent, specific purpose.

3. Prayer gains specific answers, specific instruction.

4. Prayer is in season, never out of season.

5. Prayer is the continuing solution for continuing need.

as in v. 3, 4

6. Prayer is over temporarily when the meeting with God has taken place and

reaches God given conclusion.

peace that passeth understanding, revelation, counsel, instruction, reproof,

some exchange from God to the believer’s heart.

7. The believer need continue until prayer’s meeting time is closed.

The Ministry Door Opened Acts 9: 43

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(And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a 

                tanner.)

1. God can amazingly open doors.

2. A servant need only enter the door God has opened.

3. A servant need stay while the door is open.

4. A servant need remember who opened the door.

5. A servant has a ministry of truth to perform.

6. God defines those in need of ministry.

7 A servant should let God choose when to close the door.

To Know God Psalms 46: 10, 11

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v.10 1. Halt human effort.

(Be still, and)

2. Purge your schedule of your much activity.

(Be still,)

3. Get in a position to know God.

(Be still,)

4. Entreat spiritual faith.

(and know that )

5. Recount His testimonies. (meditate on the victories of the word)

(know that I am God: I will)

6. Exalt the Lord in your own heart.

(I will be exalted in the earth.)

v.11 7. Abide in His presence.

(The Lord of hosts is with us;)

Man's Way Often Looks Easier Genesis 17: 16-21

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v.16 1.Staring long enough at impossibility will weaken the promised  opportunity of faith.

  16 ( And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her:) 

        ( Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed,)

v.17 2.Living in the sense world will tarnish spiritual sensitivity.

( Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed,)

v.17 3.Doubt attempts to possess the heart first.

( and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old?....) 

v.17 4.The attempt to understand God's way by man's reasoning will not work.

(.... and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old bear?)

v.18 5.It would appear much easier to just use a plan already in existence.

( And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!)

v.20 6.What man initiates, God may in mercy sustain.

( And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee,......)

v.21 7.God's commitment is to His plan.

( But my covenant will I establish with Isaac,......)

The Reservation of Faith James 4: 13-15

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An accompaniment to trust.; Ch. 4 topic- worldliness and pride

v.13 1. Believers are tempted to make plans apart from the inspiration of divine

leadership.

(Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will)

v.13 2. Faith lives within the reality that time’s span lies totally within the control of

God.

(Today or tomorrow we will …city, and continue there a year, and buy)

v.13 3. Faith lives within the reality that a believer can only successfully do what

God directs him to do.

(we will go into such a city, and continue)

v.13 4. Faith lives within the reality that gain is not based upon the expanse of man,

but the immeasurable goodness of God.

(and buy and sell, and get gain:)

man’s activity

The thrill seeker of our day offers a very short term view of God.

v.14 5. Faith lives within the reality that the only sure hope for tomorrow is Jesus.

(Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what)

v.14 6. Faith lives within the reality that life and time are both precious resources

which together can gain God’s highest and best.

(For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and

then vanisheth away.)

Thus, live for God, not apart from God.

v.15 7. Faith lives totally within the boundary of the will of God and bases all

actions upon doing God’s will.

(For that ye ought to say, if the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.)

It is not a trial and error process; nor is it a process of trying something,

hoping it to be God’s will.

It is doing based upon the revealed will of God.

Thy Prayer is Heard Luke 1: 13

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(But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zechariah: for thy prayer is heard;

and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name

John.)

1. It does not abide alone.

2. It didn't start with us as believers.

3. It is bigger than I am.

4. It rests upon God's will and power to fulfill.

5. It has no honor apart from God, nor message.

6. It awaits God's fulfillment.

7. It will receive God's reward.