Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Word Art Wednesday James 4:10

Welcome back to another Word Art Wednesday.  It’s cold and snowy here in PA, but it’s so beautiful.  As long as I can stay inside and enjoy the view from where it’s warm and cozy, I don’t mind a bit.

James 4:10 WORDart by Karen for WAW for personal use

(click image to download)

This verse in the Amplified version reads, “Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].”

sig·nif·i·cant

adjective 1.important; of consequence.

2.having or expressing a meaning; indicative; suggestive: a significant wink.

3.Statistics. of or pertaining to observations that are unlikely to occur by chance and that therefore indicate a systematic cause.

noun 4. something significant; a sign.

The sermon this past Sunday night at church was from the scripture in Matthew, “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”  (Matthew 6:6 NKJV)  It seems the Lord must be trying to speak to me as this verse is quite similar.  Sometimes I am so guilty of sharing my problems with others instead of taking them to the Lord in prayer.  I look to others to make my life significant instead of my Creator.  He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and I must learn to take my problems and concerns to the One who can make it right. 

As I was preparing to write this post, I re-read James chapter 4 and this verse really spoke to me: James 4:2,3 NKJV, “…Yet you do not have because you do not ask.  You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” 

I found myself asking these questions:

Am I content to share my problems with others instead of taking them to God? Sometimes that seems to be enough…to just get things off my chest…but it doesn’t do anything to solve my problem, and I’m sure it doesn’t do anything to uplift the person I “shared” it with.  (I’m not talking about seeking counsel here, I’m talking about just “getting it off your chest”.)

What IS my motive for asking when I pray?  Why do I find it easier to complain or worry about a situation instead of praying about it?  Is it because I am seeking personal gain…significance from others?  Am I discontent because things aren’t going MY way?  Am I seeking to glorify God in my every thought…in my every desire?  Am I humbling myself and my desires to Him and letting Him make my life significant in HIS way, in HIS time…to fulfill His purpose for my life or am I seeking my own purpose?  It’s got me thinking and re-evaluating some things in my life.

This has turned into quite a lengthy post considering when I sat down I had no idea what to write.  I pray this has been a blessing to you.  Maybe these thoughts are just for me, and if they are, that’s ok too.

Have a blessed day.  Thanks for stopping by.

6 comments:

Tricia said...

Thanks Karen! I've been challenged along the same lines lately. I've been reading George Muller's biography and learning about prayer, and the theme of humility keeps recurring in my Bible reading as well. I haven't been able to grasp what the Lord is teaching me in full yet, but I'm pondering it!

Blessings!

Tricia

Berina RGA said...

wow!! this post has really touched me!!! I too do the same thing.. to get things off my chest, I share it with people and sometimes we both get more tensed and worried... then I realize my folly... I should have asked the Lord for counsel.. thanks for sharing this!! Also, I'm a great admirer of your word arts that are shared in WAW for a long time.. I found out your blog very recently.. I appreciate you doing this work of gospel!! I made a calendar using the word arts made by you, shared in WAW... please do check it out!!
-Berina
Moxie Craftie

kiwimeskreations said...

Thank you Karen - you are talking to me too! Ouch! I will print this out to ponder on it more.
Thanks too for the word art.
Blessings
Maxine

SarahGeorge said...

Thanks for sharing this word of God Karen, the first thing I'm reading opening my blog :). Yes, WHAT we pray for is so important. I too feel the same way after opening out to some one and then realize that I should've carried it to God instead.
Thanks for the word art too. And scrolling down, I found the link for free digi stamps. Thanks once again :)

KT Fit Kitty said...

Beautiful word art scripture - thank you!

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

I believe you made a valid point. We need to share our problems with the Lord if we want the best solution. Blessings!