January 4th, 2026
Discernment: Living Wisely in the New Year!
Part 2: The Rule of Wisdom
James 1
Pastor Ray-Ann Dela Fuente
January 4, 2026
Memory Verse:
“but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.”
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 NLT
Introduction:
Welcome to the River of Faith! Today is the first Sunday of 2026. Let's give all the glory to God for allowing us to start the year with much blessing and overflowing grace!
How important is it that we ask God for wisdom this year? What are the most important decisions that you will make this year. The Bible tells us that there is only one person that we should ask when it comes to wisdom and that is God. But first, there is a rule when we ask Him. Today we will learn about the rule of wisdom.
Main Pointers:
“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. Do not waver, or a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.”
James 1:5-6 NLT
1. There is so much supply of wisdom from the Lord.
A. The word to avoid here is "wavering." How often do you waver when it comes to something that you really want to do? You ask earnestly for something just to change your mind because of what?
B. Many christians today lack wisdom and guidance not because there's not much to go around, but because they are like a wave in the sea who doesn't have a firm solid conviction.
C. “There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong."
Hebrews 5:11-14 NLT
2. A fickle-mind gets nothing from the Lord.
“Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”
James 1:7-8 NLT
A. What James had clearly established was God is the source of all wisdom and He gives it generously to those who seek Him.
B. But the number one reason why people do not get the wisdom from God is their lack of faith and a fickle mind.
C. “When Moses reported the Lord’s words to all the Israelites, the people were filled with grief. Then they got up early the next morning and went to the top of the range of hills. “Let’s go,” they said. “We realize that we have sinned, but now we are ready to enter the land the Lord has promised us.” But Moses said, “Why are you now disobeying the Lord’s orders to return to the wilderness? It won’t work. Do not go up into the land now. You will only be crushed by your enemies because the Lord is not with you. When you face the Amalekites and Canaanites in battle, you will be slaughtered. The Lord will abandon you because you have abandoned the Lord.” But the people defiantly pushed ahead toward the hill country, even though neither Moses nor the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant left the camp. Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in those hills came down and attacked them and chased them back as far as Hormah.”
Numbers 14:39-45 NLT
3. To live wisely is to live for God with consistency.
“So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.”
James 1:16-18 NLT
A. God does not change. He is a rewarder of those who truly seek Him and those who trust in Him alone. Here is how you live wisely in 2026. Be consistent! Don't change your mind. Don't make excuses. Stick to what you said you will do and trust that God will be there every step of the way.
B. “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” Numbers 23:19 NLT
Conclusion:
As we begin the year of 2026 let us declare that this will be a year of breakthrough's in our lives. But before we speak about breakthrough we must first learn how to be consistent with our faith. A faith that does not waver. A faith that is not tossed here and there. A faith that is anchored on a solid foundation. It is not easily shaken it is not easily broken. A faith that is consistent just as God who we serve is consistent.
Part 2: The Rule of Wisdom
James 1
Pastor Ray-Ann Dela Fuente
January 4, 2026
Memory Verse:
“but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.”
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 NLT
Introduction:
Welcome to the River of Faith! Today is the first Sunday of 2026. Let's give all the glory to God for allowing us to start the year with much blessing and overflowing grace!
How important is it that we ask God for wisdom this year? What are the most important decisions that you will make this year. The Bible tells us that there is only one person that we should ask when it comes to wisdom and that is God. But first, there is a rule when we ask Him. Today we will learn about the rule of wisdom.
Main Pointers:
“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. Do not waver, or a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.”
James 1:5-6 NLT
1. There is so much supply of wisdom from the Lord.
A. The word to avoid here is "wavering." How often do you waver when it comes to something that you really want to do? You ask earnestly for something just to change your mind because of what?
B. Many christians today lack wisdom and guidance not because there's not much to go around, but because they are like a wave in the sea who doesn't have a firm solid conviction.
C. “There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong."
Hebrews 5:11-14 NLT
2. A fickle-mind gets nothing from the Lord.
“Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”
James 1:7-8 NLT
A. What James had clearly established was God is the source of all wisdom and He gives it generously to those who seek Him.
B. But the number one reason why people do not get the wisdom from God is their lack of faith and a fickle mind.
C. “When Moses reported the Lord’s words to all the Israelites, the people were filled with grief. Then they got up early the next morning and went to the top of the range of hills. “Let’s go,” they said. “We realize that we have sinned, but now we are ready to enter the land the Lord has promised us.” But Moses said, “Why are you now disobeying the Lord’s orders to return to the wilderness? It won’t work. Do not go up into the land now. You will only be crushed by your enemies because the Lord is not with you. When you face the Amalekites and Canaanites in battle, you will be slaughtered. The Lord will abandon you because you have abandoned the Lord.” But the people defiantly pushed ahead toward the hill country, even though neither Moses nor the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant left the camp. Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in those hills came down and attacked them and chased them back as far as Hormah.”
Numbers 14:39-45 NLT
3. To live wisely is to live for God with consistency.
“So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.”
James 1:16-18 NLT
A. God does not change. He is a rewarder of those who truly seek Him and those who trust in Him alone. Here is how you live wisely in 2026. Be consistent! Don't change your mind. Don't make excuses. Stick to what you said you will do and trust that God will be there every step of the way.
B. “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” Numbers 23:19 NLT
Conclusion:
As we begin the year of 2026 let us declare that this will be a year of breakthrough's in our lives. But before we speak about breakthrough we must first learn how to be consistent with our faith. A faith that does not waver. A faith that is not tossed here and there. A faith that is anchored on a solid foundation. It is not easily shaken it is not easily broken. A faith that is consistent just as God who we serve is consistent.
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