A Prayer When Clarity and Wisdom Are NeededBy Jessica Van Roekel Bible Reading"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." – James 3:17, NIV Listen or Read Below: I had grand ideas of parenting before I had children, but when God added one after another to our family, I realized how little I knew. There were so many days I felt I was flying blind, putting one foot in front of the other, cleaning up spilled milk and spilled tears. After years of raising them, I felt I had a handle on this parenting gig…until they stretched into adulthood. Then, it became an entirely new awareness of how little I actually knew.  Being a parent to adult daughters and a son requires a whole new level of wisdom. I don't want to overstep, and I want to respect the way they make decisions. But I still think they could use my insight. So, I walk the fine line of supporting and speaking my mind. The need for clarity and wisdom is a daily cry. I desire wisdom for responding instead of reacting to the unexpected detours in my days, weeks, or months. "Wisdom is the art of reaching one's end by the use of the right means." This definition is from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and is an eloquent way of explaining wisdom. Within the context of James 3:17, wisdom is the knowledge and practice of the requisites for upright and godly living. Some of us find it difficult to ask for help when we need it. Before Google, Apple, and MapQuest, I had no problem pulling into the nearest gas station when I lost my way. That was an easy ask. But there were certain areas in my life, like dealing with bitterness about circumstances when my pride rose and I refused to ask for help. In my resistance, I lost clarity and lacked wisdom, but if I asked God for help, he gave it generously. James gives us a helpful list describing wisdom. He makes it clear there is a difference between the wisdom of this world and God's wisdom. This list can clarify our next step. Wisdom from God is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, good fruits, impartial, and sincere. Whenever we wonder what the next step should be, we can examine our options within the context of this list.  God invites us to ask for wisdom. He knows we will face situations when we will be flabbergasted by what's in front of us. In these moments, we can either stumble onward in the dark or we can turn to him. When I don't know what to do or how to respond or find myself reacting, I remember the list from James 3:17 (peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere) and James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." We can weigh the options to determine whether the next step is undergirded by the right motives and active compassion. If the choice is between something contentious or peaceable, choose the peaceable option. Does the decision before you put other people's concerns before yourself, or can you give way to what's beneficial? Considering this list from James 3:17 is a great idea when we desperately need clarity and wisdom. So often in my parenting journey, I have not chosen wisely. But God is gracious and repoints my mind and heart to his ways. His ways are the right ways to reach my parenting goals. Let's Pray: Holy God,Thank you for being the source of wisdom. I feel lost in the forest and have no idea which way to go. It feels like I've walked around in a circle, and I am getting nowhere. Every decision I make seems to be the wrong answer. I need you. I need your help. I need your wisdom. Fill me with your peace and settle my anxious heart. Wisdom from you is pure and full of peace. It's gentle and open to reason. Your wisdom is full of mercy and good fruits. It is impartial and sincere. Give me the insight I need into my own heart regarding my situation. I need clarity for the next step. Help me see how your wisdom impacts the next decision I make. If I need to be gentle, fill me with your gentleness. If I've shown favoritism, forgive me and help me be impartial. If I'm manipulating the information so I get what I want, help me to lay it aside and choose purity. Thank you for giving me clarity and wisdom. You are amazing, and I praise you.In Jesus' name, Amen Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Prostock-Studio Jessica Van Roekel loves the upside-down life of following Jesus as she journeys to wholeness through brokenness. As an author, speaker, and worship leader, she uses her gifts and experiences to share God's transformative power to rescue, restore, and renew. She longs for you to know that rejection doesn't have to define or determine your future when placed in God's healing hands. Find out more reframingrejectionbook.com You can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook. Related Resource: Jesus Calling – Stories of Faith Kerry Washington. Andrea Bocelli. Reba McEntire. Mark Wahlberg. Tony Dungy. Matthew McConaughey, What do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times-and they've shown up to tell their story of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.  Inspired by Sarah Young’s classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts. Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! The post A Prayer for When Clarity and Wisdom Are Needed – Your Daily Prayer – October 13 appeared first on GodUpdates.

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Review & photos by Joe Schaeffer The “Two-Headed Beast Tour,” featuring Rival Sons and Clutch, was a massive success in Las Vegas.  The night was filled with high-energy performances, incredible riffs, and roaring vocals that had the crowd on their feet the entire time. Clutch hit the stage at 8:00 pm sharp with their gritty, hard-hitting sound, captivating the audience with songs like “Mercury,” “Profits Of Doom,” and “The Regulator.” Their performance was a masterclass in industrial rock ‘n’ roll, with frontman Neil Fallon’s powerful voice and the band’s tight instrumental work leaving everyone in awe. Rival Sons kicked off the night with “Shooting Stars.” Jay Buchanan, barefoot and accompanied by an acoustic guitar, delivered his soulful vocals to a captivated audience. The set included fan favorites like “Nobody Wants To Die” and “Electric Man,” with Buchanan dancing around the stage, adding to the high-energy vibe. The band’s fuzzed-out sound filled the venue, and their performance was incredible, bluesy and anthemic. Jay Buchanan’s vocals were a force of nature, effortlessly switching between raw power and soulful melodies. The band’s chemistry was intense, with Scott Holiday’s guitar riffs weaving seamlessly with the rhythm section’s tight grooves provided by drummer Mike Miley and bassist Dave Beste. One of the standout moments was their performance of “Tied Up,” where the band took the audience on a sonic journey. The song’s dynamic shifts and Buchanan’s emotive delivery left the crowd in awe. “Pressure And Time” was another highlight, with its driving beat and infectious chorus prompting the entire venue to sing along. The setlist also featured tracks from their latest pair of albums, Darkfighter and Lightbringer. These songs were met with excited appreciation, showcasing the band’s ability to evolve while staying true to their roots. “Rapture” and “Mosaic” were particularly well-received, blending vintage rock influences with modern sensibilities. The entire night was what a rock and roll show in 2024 should be. Both bands’ tight musicianship and gritty guitar riffs filled the Vegas venue, making it a night to remember for all the fans in attendance.

So often in my parenting journey, I have not chosen wisely. But God is gracious and repoints my mind and heart to his ways. His ways are the right ways to reach my parenting goals.

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