James 4:2-3

Sons;

The verse from today's class is one that has a lot of interesting points: James 4:2-3 - "You want something but don't get it.  You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want.  You quarrel and fight.  You do not have, because you do not ask God.  When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may pend what you get on your pleasures."

James is the son on Mary and Joseph, and thus a "half-brother" of Jesus, so he's got some credibility in what he's talking about.  And what he says here, first, is this - we sin, because we want something we don't have.  And it can be anything, from a piece of candy to peace of mind.  We want something, and we cannot figure out how to get it.  So, what do we do?  We begin striving, and sinning, to get it.  It leads to fighting, coveting the blessings some one else has, and leads us to kill - maybe not other people (though that happens), but we kill friendships, we kill opportunities, we kill blessings we already have.  And why?  Because we don't ask.

James is smart enough, however, to know that some will say, "But I did ask God for this, and didn't get it!"  Yes, James say, that's right, you didn't, because you were asking for something that was not good for you, or at best were asking for something with the intent of using it for the wrong reasons.  The example I used in class this morning was this:  If you live in a dorm, and ask God for a pony, He's not going to give you one.  

Asking for something from God thus is based on two points - is it something I truly need (as opposed to merely want), and/or is it good for me (and will be used righteously)?  That's why it is important to be "in tune" with God, because then you can better know how to answer these two questions.  

Asking for something from God also requires faith.  We have to be okay with God not answering our prayers in the time and way we want.  We are, as a species, too impatient, too controlling, too anxious to see things happen in our limited wisdom.  God takes a much bigger view, and has the wisdom, the patience, and the control to do things right.  So, as we ask, we must be patient and wait on God's time - and God is never early, and is never too late.  

As Christian men and leaders, it will be important that we have this closeness with God, and this faith, so that we can ask for what is right for us (and for our families).  This is, like all other things, something that we must practice at, so when it is needed we will have mastered the skill.

Love,

Dad