How to Receive a Discerning Heart!

Good Morning Lovely Ladies of God!


Did you consider the meaning of discerning heart last week? Were you able to grasp the concept and realize the benefits of a discerning heart? If you did not seem to totally understand it's meaning in your life, I know how you feel. I am actually still struggling a bit with the concept and the power of it myself. We will be spending more time with this subject before moving on to our next exciting "Where Do Our Prayers Go?' studies. I think we really need to know the power of a discerning heart and know we can truly receive it from God. This week is going to help you increase your faith in knowing that God wants you to have a discerning heart and wisdom, and He will easily give it to you. Sound good? How about a dose of faith this week? It's that easy. You are going to see your faith in God's Word increase this very week! I am so thrilled for you.


When wanting to see answers to our prayers more clearly, we started by looking at our request in prayer. What are we exactly asking from God? Are we asking for things? For help? Or are we asking God to give us a source inside us to make Godly, good and right decisions without running to Him with every need and decision. Don’t get me wrong, God wants you to come to Him and pray to Him. He wants to hear your needs. He wants to listen. But wouldn’t it be easier to ask of Him something that can help us in making decisions without questioning ourselves so much? Would it not be nice to know our decisions are made with a discerning and wise heart from God?


“Oh God, I have to make this difficult decision, what do I do?” We pray it and then wait for the answer, hoping it comes soon. Do we believe that God listened to our prayer? Yes! Because Jeremiah 29:12 tells us: "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."


Do you believe that God will answer your prayer somehow? Yes.


But are you still waiting for God to tell you what to do in this situation?


What if you had a heart that was wise and discerning, that knew what was right or good and what was evil? When facing decisions and perhaps difficult circumstances, a God-given wise and discerning heart has the answers. Do you want to see answers to prayer clearly? Why don’t we ask for the same thing that Solomon sought: a discerning, wise heart from God. Is it that easy? Should you also spend time with God in prayer, praising and learning His word? Absolutely you should! That is exactly what Solomon was doing. We, like Solomon, can ask for something that helps our decision-making wiser and based on what is right and Godly behavior.


Yes, we can just ASK for it! Look at James 1:5. James, brother to Jesus, speaks to his brothers in Christ and advises them, and us, on such a matter:


James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”


Wow! If you ask God for wisdom, He will give it to you. How? Generously! Ask for wisdom and God will give it to you generously. And He gives it to all without finding fault. All can receive wisdom simply by asking. Do you believe that? It says that right in God’s word. And don’t forget that Solomon asked for a discerning heart and received a wise and discerning heart. Solomon may have been a King, and a child of a King, but so are you a child of a King. Because of Jesus, you are a child of a King! You can ask for wisdom and God will generously give it to you.


In order to receive it, you must believe it!


James 1:6 says:
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.


To receive what you ask in prayer you must believe it and have no doubt. You can do that. You believe. You know God’s word is true. You know God only wants the best for you. You already know that God only has plans to prosper you and not to harm you. You know that God plans to give you hope and a future. You know God listens when you call upon him and pray to Him. You know you seek God and you find Him when you seek Him with all your heart.


Why? Because you know God's Word says it.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."


Therefore, you faithful, trusting women of God, pray for a discerning heart that is wise in making Godly decisions, and believe that you receive it. Join with me in prayer:


Dear Father God, Father God of King David, King Solomon and me,


I am your child just the same as David and Solomon. When I call, you answer me. You make me bold, confident and stouthearted. I come to you now knowing that I can ask for wisdom and a discerning heart, and receive it. I know that I simply ask for it, believe it, and receive it. You give it to me generously. Please Father (put in Solomon’s words) give your servant a discerning heart. I want a discerning heart Father to make decisions based on knowing right from wrong in your eyes. I want to know good from evil and be able to make wise decisions for you, Lord.


Thank you, Father, for this gift you have now placed in me. Thank you that I know that I have the discerning heart of wise decisions based on your generous love for me. My answers to prayer are all in front of me with my discerning and wise heart. I see more clearly Father, my answers to prayer. You indeed set me free and make me bold and stouthearted.


I will walk in prayer now knowing that I can count on my God-given discerning heart to make wise decisions.


In Jesus Name,
Amen.


Is it too soon for you to believe this prayer and thanksgiving? I understand. I really do. To increase your faith in such a prayer as this one, meditate this week on James 1:5. James is one of the brothers of Jesus, but look who he describes himself. Look at this words. This is how he considers himself in regards to Jesus.


James 1:1
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,


Don't you just love James? What a humble and endearing man of God. He makes not mention of his relationship to Jesus. He does not even distinguish himself from James the disciple. He only states his identity as a servant of God and Jesus. He is a servant. And Jesus is his Lord, not his brother. This is a true follower of Jesus. He sees Jesus as his Lord Jesus Christ. He knew Jesus personally. He grew up with Jesus. He knew him well. They were family. Jesus started his ministry at the age of 30. So I believe that James had a close personal relationship with Him, a brotherly love. Despite his relationship with Jesus as a brother, he knew Jesus was his Lord.


I don't know about you, but I want to listen to James. He knew Jesus on two levels, more than we will ever understand. I think James knows what is true. So James, servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, tell me what you believe. I too will believe.


James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him


This week meditate on this verse. Listen to James and what he tells you. If anyone, anybody, anywhere lacks wisdom, he should do what? Ask for it. And God will give it to you generously. He will give it to you without finding fault. God wants to give you wisdom. When you ask God for wisdom and a discerning heart, He sees you without fault. Remember James knew Jesus, God on earth, the Son of God. He knew that God sees us blameless without fault when we approach Him asking for wisdom. James knows that God gives it generously.

This week write down this verse James 1:5 and meditate on it. Think of James telling you this face to face. Break up the verse and read a portion of the scripture per day. Meditate on the fact that God "gives generously to all without finding fault" and "ask God....and it will be given to him." After a week of true meditation on this verse you will have an increase of faith and know that God wants you to have a discerning and wise heart. You will know that He wants to give it to you generously and without finding any fault. Just spend time with this verse and you will be so much closer to receiving in faith - wisdom and a discerning heart.

Enjoy your week wise women of God.