* The Point of Reference

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.
James 1:5-6a, NLT

Often, we think we need to either specialize in an area or have some working knowledge about a wide variety of life experiences in order to be able to minister effectively to those around us. And satan is all too happy for us to believe that. The Truth of the matter is, we tend to make following Jesus harder than what it is - which is ONLY true when we're trying to do it in our own power.

You think you can't relate to someone who is struggling with addictions because you've never been an addict? You think you have nothing to offer the one who has been abused or molested because - thank God! - you were never abused or molested? You've been faithfully married for 30 years, so how can you offer any advice or ministry to someone who is facing divorce or who has been divorced twice and needs something? You think you have no point of reference, right? Wrong!

Are you a follower of Christ? Do you believe Jesus is the Answer? This is that moment when it all comes together. You've had all the pieces - the knowledge of what you need to know - but all of a sudden the wisdom is applied and Voilà! You've got it! The generation twice removed might have exclaimed, Eureka! The next generation would say, Duh... and stretch it to at least two syllables.  Today, Emeril would just say, BAM!

Jesus has never been married. Jesus was never divorced. Jesus is not, has never been, will never be an addict. He was not sexually molested, nor did He molest anyone. (Just to name a few...)  But He bore the guilt, the shame, the penalty of all those sins and more, and paid for them all at Calvary with His death on the Cross. He overcame death, hell and the grave and set us free in the process.  Jesus has EVERY point of reference - no matter the circumstance. All we have to do is listen to HIM. Not only will He provide the answer; He IS the answer no matter what the question or who is asking.

Prayer:

Father,
         We come to You, according to Your Word. We need wisdom, and You said You will give it to us and not rebuke us for asking. And we declare, Father, that our faith is in You alone. Help us to minister Your all-knowing Truth, in wisdom, to a desperately lost and dying world. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen