My husband gave me a beautiful journal for Christmas. Every page has a different scripture verse at the bottom.
The other day the verse was, “If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him , and he will gladly tell you.” (James 1:5.) That verse spoke to me. I did want to know what God wanted me to do. Funny, I didn’t remember having seen that verse in James before. I thought I’d check it out in my default version which is the NIV.
“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.” That I recognised! I hadn’t realised that wisdom and knowing what God wants me to do are the same thing. I thought I’d check out other versions.
The Message: If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it.
ESV: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Amp. If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance] he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame and it will be given to him.
Philips: …if any of you does not know how to meet any particular problem, he has only to ask God – who gives generously to all men without making them feel foolish or guilty – and he may be quite sure that the necessary wisdom will be given him.
In the end I found the version my journal had used. It was the Living Bible. Through the whole process I felt my mind had been opened to that particular verse. I should try that exercise more often.

My Prayer
Thank you, Father, for the richness of Your Word. Please give me wisdom because I sure lack it. Thank You. Amen.