JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(Ephesians 6:18) “…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
In his word, God commands believers to pray for one another.
Many people have prayed for me over the years.
People have texted and emailed me telling me they are praying for me.
And I as well pray for others.
Praying for one another is part and parcel of the Christian life.
Paul told the Ephesians to pray for one another and asked them to pray for him.
(Ephesians 6:18 – 19) “…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel”
Think about it for a second.
Paul, the great Apostle, who led thousands to the Lord, who had been caught up to the third heaven, appealed to his fellow believers to pray for him.
He didn’t think he was so strong in the Lord that he didn’t need others to pray for him.
He asked them to strive in prayer to God for him.
He asked them to pray for his safety.
He asked them to pray his service would be acceptable to the saints in Jerusalem.
What humility Paul had!
He knew he needed the prayers of others and he asked for them.
As I look at these scriptures I’m freshly motivated to humble myself and seek the prayers of others
as well.
I need your prayers, prayers for safety, prayers for health, prayers for financial abundance so that I can have the funds to do this ministry.
Prayers for humility that I don't ever get to big for my britches thinking I am something special just because I am in the public eye.
Prayers for strength to overcome the many temptations that the enemy of our soul continually puts in front of me to tempt me and cause me to stumble in my faith, integrity and morality.
Paul also prayed constantly for others.
He told the Colossians that he prayed for them:
(Colossians 1:9). “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding… “
Paul didn’t assume the Colossian believers would automatically keep growing in their spiritual knowledge and wisdom.
He prayed for them.
And there is a desperate need for all of us to pray for each other.
Paul’s example demonstrates how incredibly important it is for us to pray for one another.
We desperately need each other.
Jesus never intended for us to live the Christian life alone.
Daily I am reminded just how much I need others.
I need to live my life in close fellowship with other believers and I need others to pray for me.
God tells us to lift one another up.
We need one another to get through this life.
To get through afflictions,
To get through temptation.
To be an encouragement when we are discouraged.
God tells us to pray for one another.
God never tells us to do anything he doesn’t intend to respond to.
He would not tell us to pray for one another if he didn’t intend to answer those prayers.
(Matthew 18:19) “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven
God tells us here that He will answer the prayers of just two believers who pray for “anything” in agreement together.
This is absolutely breathtaking.
When two believers pray together in unity, God will do anything they ask.
Nothing is impossible for God, and He responds in uniquely powerful ways when believers join together to pray.
Each morning as I wrote these little devotions, I pray for all of you reading them.
Paul also prayed constantly for others.
He told the Colossians that he prayed for them:
(Colossians 1:9). “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding… “
Paul didn’t assume the Colossian believers would automatically keep growing in their spiritual knowledge and wisdom.
He prayed for them.
And there is a desperate need for all of us to pray for each other.
Paul’s example demonstrates how incredibly important it is for us to pray for one another.
We desperately need each other.
Jesus never intended for us to live the Christian life alone.
Daily I am reminded just how much I need others.
I need to live my life in close fellowship with other believers and I need others to pray for me.
God tells us to lift one another up.
We need one another to get through this life.
To get through afflictions,
To get through temptation.
To be an encouragement when we are discouraged.
God tells us to pray for one another.
God never tells us to do anything he doesn’t intend to respond to.
He would not tell us to pray for one another if he didn’t intend to answer those prayers.
(Matthew 18:19) “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven
God tells us here that He will answer the prayers of just two believers who pray for “anything” in agreement together.
This is absolutely breathtaking.
When two believers pray together in unity, God will do anything they ask.
Nothing is impossible for God, and He responds in uniquely powerful ways when believers join together to pray.
Each morning as I wrote these little devotions, I pray for all of you reading them.
I pray that God will reveal to you His great love for you.
I pray that He will meet your financial needs.
That He will meet your physical needs of and for healing in your bodies.
Above all I pray that you would know His peace… and that you would allow Him to come into your heart and life and let Him be your God and Savior… meeting you in every aspect of life, to bring you His saving grace and salvation.
Good Day!
(Joshua 1:11) "Take possession of the land... God is giving you."
God told Joshua, “You will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
As far as God was concerned, the “Promised Land” already belonged to His people.
But when He told them to “take possession”, that meant they would have to fight for it.
There were thirty-one kings living there… warlords, each with their own tribal armies.
There were seven major cities to conquer and giants to overcome.
So here are two questions we each need to answer this morning!
(1) Do you believe God has given you the gifting, resources, and strength to fulfill your destiny?
(2) Are you willing to fight for it? You won’t win in your own strength, but the good news is, you don’t have to.
God said, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you” (Joshua 1:9)
Whatever God calls you to do, He will give you the ability to do, but you must work to develop that ability.
Sometimes He will answer your prayer immediately and give you what you’re asking for.
Other times, the onus is on you to pursue what He promised.
I call it the three “P’s” of faith, “passion”, “patience”, and “persistence”.
There are three stories told about people whom pursued Jesus to receive an answer to their needs.
The woman with the issue of blood pushed thru the crowd following Jesus and said “if I can just touch Him I can be healed”.
When she finally broke thru the crowd and reached around that last person whom was standing in the way, she was able to touch just the hem of His garment, and the bible says she was made whole from that hour.
Jesus perceived that power had gone out from Him and said “who touched me”?
Then seeing the woman standing there He said to her, “Daughter, be of good comfort… thy faith hath made thee whole.”
Note the words that He used “Thy faith has made thee whole”!
She had “passion”, “patience”, and “persistence”.
In (Matthew 8:5-13) A Centurion soldier came to Christ saying “My son is sick and is dying, will you speak the word only and I know he will live!”
The bible says “Jesus marveled at this mans faith” (Matthew 8:10) He had “passion”, “patience”, and “persistence”.
In (Matthew 9:27-29) Two blind men, stumbled their way to where Jesus was, pursuing him in the darkness of their way.
When they finally were able to find where he was staying… they pushed and stumbled their way into the house where He was staying and cried out to Him,
“have mercy on us Son of David.
Jesus said to them, ‘do you really believe I can do this’?
‘Yes’ they replied”
And Jesus then said these words that challenge me every day as I live out my faith before Him.
“Then he touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith… let it be done to you’… and their sight was restored.”
“According to your faith”… they had “passion”, “patience”, and “persistence”.
Jesus said to the crowd following Him one day, “all things are possible to them that believe” (Matthew 19:26)
Has it occurred to you that you may be waiting for God to bring you something, and He’s waiting for you to just take it “according to your faith?
He doesn’t respond to our wishes or even to our pleading… He responds to faith in action!
So the word for you today is this.
It’s yours, if you’re willing to fight for it… and receive it… and take it.
Do you have the “the passion”, “the patience”, and “the persistence”.
Good Day!
Note the words that He used “Thy faith has made thee whole”!
She had “passion”, “patience”, and “persistence”.
In (Matthew 8:5-13) A Centurion soldier came to Christ saying “My son is sick and is dying, will you speak the word only and I know he will live!”
The bible says “Jesus marveled at this mans faith” (Matthew 8:10) He had “passion”, “patience”, and “persistence”.
In (Matthew 9:27-29) Two blind men, stumbled their way to where Jesus was, pursuing him in the darkness of their way.
When they finally were able to find where he was staying… they pushed and stumbled their way into the house where He was staying and cried out to Him,
“have mercy on us Son of David.
Jesus said to them, ‘do you really believe I can do this’?
‘Yes’ they replied”
And Jesus then said these words that challenge me every day as I live out my faith before Him.
“Then he touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith… let it be done to you’… and their sight was restored.”
“According to your faith”… they had “passion”, “patience”, and “persistence”.
Jesus said to the crowd following Him one day, “all things are possible to them that believe” (Matthew 19:26)
Has it occurred to you that you may be waiting for God to bring you something, and He’s waiting for you to just take it “according to your faith?
He doesn’t respond to our wishes or even to our pleading… He responds to faith in action!
So the word for you today is this.
It’s yours, if you’re willing to fight for it… and receive it… and take it.
Do you have the “the passion”, “the patience”, and “the persistence”.
Good Day!
(Genesis 16:9) “Where have you come from and where are you
going”?
You have no doubt at some time in the past heard the story of Hagar, the servant of Abrahams wife Sara.
Prior to this story… Abraham had been promised a son by the Angel of the Lord and when it did not happen immediately… (as we often think the promise of God should happen)… the Bible says, “Sara sent her servant into Abraham to sleep with him so that they could have an heir”
When Hagar conceived and bore a child because of that rash decision, Sarah became very jealous of Hagar and treated her very badly and as a result, Hagar fled with the child.
Now there were several bad decisions made and entered into by all parties here… but the fact of the matter is that “bad choices” by all parties … led to events that caused Hagar much pain and sorrow… and so Hagar fled.
The angel of the Lord found Hagar in the desert, and he said... Hagar,
“where have you come from, and where are you going”?
When Hagra told the Angel what was happening with Sarah back at Abrahams camp… the angel told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.”
The angel then told her, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count’” (Genesis 16:6-10)
In other words God promised Sarah “blessing beyond her wildest dreams and hopes” if she would surrender her rights and simply obey and allow Him to work on her behalf.
Hagar obeyed and God said, “I have heard you. I will surely bless your son and make him fruitful and greatly increase his numbers.
He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation” (Genesis 17:20)
Now from this story of history past… there is a powerful lesson to be understood.
Most of us don’t relish the idea of submission.
That is acquiescing, deferring to, or surrendering… and it’s true that God sent Hagar back to a hard place that day.
But when she obeyed, He blessed her… and her obedience unlocked the door to Gods intervention in her life!
Note the question the angel asked her, because it may be one God’s asking you today as well… “Where have you come from, and where are you going?”
If He is, stop and consider your answer.
God, who knows the end from the beginning, and who brings good things out of bad, has your best interests at heart!
Even though it’s hard to do, if you’ll obey Him, He will bless you.
He will give you grace to endure and strength for the struggle… and He will do things in your life that can’t be accomplished any other way.
By trying to escape your present situation, you may be running from the lesson God wants to teach you and the rewards that lie beyond it.
So today, lets ask ourselves, “Lord what is it you want me to learn in this situation”.
Remember that God says “My thoughts are higher then your thoughts and my ways are higher than your way’s.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
God knows the beginning from the end.
He knows the things that we are going to face tomorrow and in the future, and He is always preparing us to be able to face them.
By facing “tough times” and trusting Him to lead us thru them, that’s when we become “more than conquerors thru Him that loves us.” (Romans 8:31-39)
That’s why we must not run.
That’s why we need to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.
That’s why we need to give thanks in everything and trust God to move the mountain.
Trust God to lead us thru the valley.
He has a plan and a future for each of us.
But if we run, we don’t learn our lessons.
If we run, it takes longer to come back.
So like the angel told Hagar, “go back and submit” to the leading of Gods hand.
It may not be comfortable right now, but He knows the future, and He is preparing you for it, so that you can experience His full blessing.
Joseph wasn’t comfortable being sold as a slave by his brothers, nor was he comfortable in prison because of trumped up charges of rape.
He wasn’t comfortable as a slave in Pharaohs house.
But He kept a right attitude in the midst of his situation and his trials, and God rewarded him for it.
Joseph said of his trials and abuse at the hands of his brothers… “you meant it for evil but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:15-21)
Understand today that God has a plan for your good (Jeremiah 29:11) “for I know the plans I have for you say’s the Lord, plan’s to prosper you and give you a future, not plans for evil”!
He knows the beginning from the end.
He knows what you need to arrive at the end of this journey and He promises His strength and grace to carry you through to the end.
Today stop your running!
Turn around and face the issues that are troubling you!
Surrender to God and let Him bring a new beginning in the midst of this terrible run of bad decisions.
He alone knows your future… and He alone can change the circumstances that have brought you to where you are today.
The Bible says in (Psalm 37:3) “trust in the Lord and do good… in all your ways acknowledge Him… trust Him, surrender to Him, desire Him and His will… and He will direct your paths”,
Good Day!
(1st Timothy 4:15) "Be diligent in these matters… give yourself wholly to them so that everyone may see your progress."
Chuck Swindoll is one of my favorite theologians/preachers.
He is a man of God whom I believe “rightly” divides the word of God.
I have come to trust his teaching and spiritual example over the last 40 years of my life.
Chuck tells a story how that one day, a friend of His stopped by his study to “speak the truth in love”
to him according to (Ephesians 4:15)
The man said, “Chuck, what worries me is that you could be tempted to let your time with God and your time in the study of the Scriptures become less and less important to you. I want to urge you, do not let that happen.”
Swindoll took his words to heart and wrote down these five promises to himself.
Friend if you’re serious about being a follower of Christ, devoted to God, and determined to be an influence in the world around you… then I challenge you to make these same promises to yourself also.
1) I promise to keep doing original and hard work in my study.
(2nd Timothy 2:15) “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Those to whom I am called, deserve my best efforts.
2) I promise to maintain a heart for God.
That means I will pray frequently and fervently and stay devoted to Him and to my calling.
(Colossians 4:2) “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. ... Be persistent in prayer giving thanks to God.”
3) I promise to remain accountable.
Living the life of a religious lone ranger is not only unbiblical… it’s dangerous.
(Hebrews 10:25) “Forsake not, the assembling of your selves together as some do”
Serving God is serving others.
The man said, “Chuck, what worries me is that you could be tempted to let your time with God and your time in the study of the Scriptures become less and less important to you. I want to urge you, do not let that happen.”
Swindoll took his words to heart and wrote down these five promises to himself.
Friend if you’re serious about being a follower of Christ, devoted to God, and determined to be an influence in the world around you… then I challenge you to make these same promises to yourself also.
1) I promise to keep doing original and hard work in my study.
(2nd Timothy 2:15) “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Those to whom I am called, deserve my best efforts.
2) I promise to maintain a heart for God.
That means I will pray frequently and fervently and stay devoted to Him and to my calling.
(Colossians 4:2) “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. ... Be persistent in prayer giving thanks to God.”
3) I promise to remain accountable.
Living the life of a religious lone ranger is not only unbiblical… it’s dangerous.
(Hebrews 10:25) “Forsake not, the assembling of your selves together as some do”
Serving God is serving others.
Serving God can be a very happy experience... real happiness comes from serving others.
Certainly, there should be no thought that our salvation depends on our faithfulness in "church attendance," or for that matter, any kind of work program we may invent.
The purpose for wanting to meet with our brethren is plainly stated in (Hebrews 10:24)...
Certainly, there should be no thought that our salvation depends on our faithfulness in "church attendance," or for that matter, any kind of work program we may invent.
The purpose for wanting to meet with our brethren is plainly stated in (Hebrews 10:24)...
"Let us think about how we may cause one another to love and to do good things."
We can accomplish this in a chance meeting with one person, or meeting periodically with a group of people.
Either way, we should not forsake the principle of getting together with others for mutual edification to encourage one another, and to inspire one another in our walk with God.
(4) I promise to stay faithful to my family.
My wife deserves my time, affection, and undivided attention... our now-grown children deserve the same.
(5) I promise to be who I am… just me.
To keep laughing and saying things a little off-the-wall.
We can accomplish this in a chance meeting with one person, or meeting periodically with a group of people.
Either way, we should not forsake the principle of getting together with others for mutual edification to encourage one another, and to inspire one another in our walk with God.
(4) I promise to stay faithful to my family.
My wife deserves my time, affection, and undivided attention... our now-grown children deserve the same.
(5) I promise to be who I am… just me.
To keep laughing and saying things a little off-the-wall.
To not wear plastic masks and put on the air of having it all together.
To be a friend and make a few mistakes each month.
Too often our religious activities as leaders, preachers, teachers can become a performance.
I want people to see me for who I am… just a simple man whom loves and serves Jesus.
As Country Singer John Conlee wrote and sang, “ I’m just a common man who drives a common van, my dog ain’t got a pedigree”,
On that… being devoted to Christ doesn’t make you weird, judgmental, antisocial, or isolated from the world.
No, it makes you the best version of yourself you can be… and the one God wants you to be.
Never forget that you were created for a purpose.
That purpose was to be one with God, and a “sweet savor” to the world around you.
God wants you to live in the midst of this world as a light for others to find Him.
The only way you can do that is to stay plugged into the power source.
Stay plugged into Jesus… not religion!
Good Day!
To be a friend and make a few mistakes each month.
Too often our religious activities as leaders, preachers, teachers can become a performance.
I want people to see me for who I am… just a simple man whom loves and serves Jesus.
As Country Singer John Conlee wrote and sang, “ I’m just a common man who drives a common van, my dog ain’t got a pedigree”,
On that… being devoted to Christ doesn’t make you weird, judgmental, antisocial, or isolated from the world.
No, it makes you the best version of yourself you can be… and the one God wants you to be.
Never forget that you were created for a purpose.
That purpose was to be one with God, and a “sweet savor” to the world around you.
God wants you to live in the midst of this world as a light for others to find Him.
The only way you can do that is to stay plugged into the power source.
Stay plugged into Jesus… not religion!
Good Day!
(Matthew 7:14) "But the gate is narrow…”
If you’re at a crossroads in life today, you have two options.
Turn right or left, forward or back.
There’s no doubt which way God wants you to go and that’s forward!
If you have any doubts about that, read and meditate on these scriptures:
“Though your beginning was small… yet your latter end would increase abundantly” (Job 8:7)
“They go from strength to strength” (Psalm 84:7)
“The path of the just is like the shining sun that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18)
“Meditate on these things… give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all” (1st Timothy 4:15).
God will give you the grace and strength to go forward and pursue the path ahead, but understand this… it’s not always an easy path.
In reading from the Amplified version of the Bible which is a Bible that has been written with definition and meaning to many of its thoughts Jesus said…
“Enter through the narrow gate… for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction and many are those who are entering through it”.
But the gate that is narrow (contracted by pressure) is straightened and compressed that leads a way to life… and few are those who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14)
Here Jesus was preaching His famous Sermon on the Mount, where He outlined how we’re supposed to live as citizens of His kingdom.
It’s the difference between the “many” and the “few.”
The first group chooses the path of ease… but the second chooses the path of “pressure,” realizing that “tough as it may be… it forms the “character” of Christ with in us.
And ultimately that’s where God is trying to bring each of us to!
A life filled with the character of Christ…. conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29) “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son”
That life will emanate or portray… the “fruit of the Spirit”.
(Galatians 5:22-23) “But the fruit of the Spirit is… love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
These are not “natural traits” of the human spirit!
These are traits that are developed only through patience and endurance… standing in and thru the tests and trials that we face daily.
(Hebrews 10:36) “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise”.
We must never forget that we are all “being conformed to the image of Christ” (Romans 8:29) because we are by nature “children of wrath”.
(Ephesians 2:3-5) “among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the bodyand the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind”.
Our “Adamic nature”, (the works of the flesh)… is something that is distasteful to God and not healthy for humanity.
The “Adamic nature” refers to the sinful condition inherited from Adam
after his disobedience in the Garden of Eden.
This nature affects all human beings, making them prone to sin and separation from God.
The concept is rooted in Christian theology, emphasizing that through Adam's sin, all humanity inherited a sinful nature… which manifests in every human being, a tendency toward sin and rebellion against God.
Paul writes however in (Galatians 5:13-26) “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.
But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh… rather, serve one another humbly in love.
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command… “Love your neighbor as yourself.
If you bite and devour each other, watch out… or you will be destroyed by each other.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Paul writes however in (Galatians 5:13-26) “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.
But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh… rather, serve one another humbly in love.
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command… “Love your neighbor as yourself.
If you bite and devour each other, watch out… or you will be destroyed by each other.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.
They are in conflict with each other so that you are not able to do whatyou know is right.
But if you are led by the Spirit… you are not under the law… (in other words your not like the rest of the world)
The acts of the flesh are obvious… sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery…idolatry and witchcraft… hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy… drunkenness, orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this, will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
To this end, that is… what we should each be striving to be or do… is to be more like Christ and staying in step with Him!”
Good Day!
(Luke 12:15) "Life is not measured by how much you own."
The factitious story is told of a man who found a lamp in the sand on the seashore and after rubbing it, out popped a genie.
The genie said, “Thank you for setting me free and for that I will give you one wish, what can I do for you?”
The man said, “Show me the Wall Street Journal one year from today.
This way, I’ll know where to invest my money and become a multi-millionaire.”
So the genie snapped his fingers and out came a Wall Street Journal dated one year in the future.
The man flipped the pages of the newspaper, studying the listings and observing which stocks would be high and which ones would be low.
But in the midst of his joy, tears began to roll down his cheeks.
Why? Because when he looked over the obituary column, there was his face.
Listen folks… God is not opposed to you acquiring and achieving things in life.
But He wants you to know that this life can only offer so much, and unless you live each day in the light of eternity, you’re going to waste your time on the wrong things.
It’s okay to enjoy “temporal things”… as long as your main focus is on “eternal things”.
John wrote to the church saying “Love not the world nor the things that are in this world” (1st John 2:15-17)
Paul said, “My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus… the work of telling others the “Good News” about the wonderful grace of God” (Acts 20:24).
I'm told that in Canada if you lived to be one hundred years old, you can receive a “Congratulations” letter from Buckingham Palace that was signed by the Queen of England herself.
The same goes with US citizens whom reach the age of 100 as well.
I’m told that President Gerald Ford and 1st Lady Betty Ford used to make it part of their routine to send out short congratulatory birthday cards to US citizens whom turned 100 years old.
But friend even that doesn’t compare to the “well done”, you’ll receive from God for fulfilling the assignment He has given you here on earth.
The lyrics to an old song called "Only One Life" say these words… "Only one life soon will pass, just what’s done for Christ will last, don't let Satan steal your time".
What about you today!
What is, and where is "your focus".
Paul said, "for me to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21)
I take that to mean that for Paul there was only one reason to keep pursuing life.
And that pursuit was summed up in seeking first the Kingdom of God and sharing t with others thru out his life.
It was Hos passion and His purpose!
(Philippians 3:14) "Brothers,(and sisters)… I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it.
But one thing I do… forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s Heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.”
All of us who are professing believers in Christ should be embracing this same point of view”.
What about you, what’s in your view today!
Where is your focus today!
You’re the only one whom can answer that!
Good Day!
(James 4:2) “Ye have not because ye ask not”
There are things God will not give us simply because “we do not ask for them!”
For some of us it’s pride that keeps them from asking God.
Their attitude is “I don't need anyone’s help”.
There are some things you could have had victory with in your life, if you would have just come to God and asked.
There are blessings that God will never give you because you will not ask Him for them, “Ye have not, because ye ask not.” (James 4:2)
Why haven’t you asked God?
Is it because you don’t want to get your heart right with God?
You forgot?
Lack of faith?
Or is your focus so consumed on the things of this world that you don’t realize where your true victory, source, and power lies.
That’s why John says “love not the world not the things that are in the world.” (1st John 2:15-17)
Yes many people get through life without God’s help, but that’s a low plan to live on!
When we get to Heaven, the last thing I would want to hear is, “See all these things I wanted to give you while you were on earth, but you forgot to ask!”
If I do not receive something from God, I don’t want it to be because I didn’t ask for it when the opportunity was available.
Many people pray daily to God, praise Him, and pray for others, but forget to share with God what is really bothering them.
If God says no to your request, or, “wait”, then praise Him anyway, but at least ask!
There is a passage of scripture in (Joshua 15:18-19), where Caleb’s daughter had received some land from her father, but it was a dry land without water.
She said, “Give me a blessing… for thou hast given me a south land… give me also springs of water.”
She was not afraid to ask… she new the land was useless with out water.
So she asked her father, “if you really want to bless me, give me springs with the land, it needs water, dig me some wells.”
If you have the thought, “I should just be satisfied with what I have and not bother God,” then you may end up with a “south land” (a desert) with no water on it.
True, this would be better than no land at all, but why not have both?
Notice she did not ask for one spring but for “springs,” and her father gave her at least four (Joshua 15:19).
When she asked, she could have said, “May I have “a” spring?
But hey, if you’re going to ask, then why not ask for “springs”!
If we are going to ask just for our own selfishness then yes, that would be wrong (James 4:3) “Ye have not because you ask amiss.”
But there are gifts from God we could have already had, had we been willing to humble ourselves and ask Him.
Things you might ask God for include… joy, happiness, peace, a mate, to be a better parent, wisdom to answer a question or solve a problem, power and grace to do what God wants, a job, etc.
I wonder if, or have you ever prayed for an hour?
Jesus was shocked by the actions of His disciples when he had asked them to pray with Him.
“What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray…” (Matthew 26:40–41)
The Bible says (1st Peter 5:7). “Be careful for nothing… but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving …let your requests be made known unto God.
(Philippians 4:6-7) “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”
Did you know you could pray and ask God to give you peace that your problems will be resolved.
There are two parables where Christ teaches us that if we do not receive what we want… then we should keep praying (Luke 11:5–8, 18:1–5).
Why?
One would think, “If God wants me to have it, He will give it to me, and if not, then why should I keep asking Him for it?”
Well for one thing, if we keep praying for something, eventually we will have to ask ourselves what our motive is… “Why do I or do I really need this?”
Or, God may want you to give up some things (1st Samuel 1:10-17).
“Delight thyself in the Lord; and He will give thee the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
What is the desire of your heart?
If we go every day to the Lord in prayer for our heart’s desire, eventually we will ask, “What is your will Lord?”
Or are you willing to say, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me… nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39)
Spending time with God is always good.
I see myself more clearly (my needs) and my purpose, my direction, God’s will for my life better, after I have spent this time each morning talking to God and writing these devotionals.
Also, I am more thankful to Him for his patience and His love for me.
If we keep praying, studying and meditating… we will get closer to God. “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8).
Some of the problems and burdens we have, (believe it or not) were designed by God, not only to turn us to Him, but also to keep us where He wants us (2nd Corinthians 12:7-10).
Unfortunately, as human being we tend to take things for granted and if we we always get what we want the first time we ask, we can begin to treat God and His blessings as if He is our own personal servant or genie in a bottle.
And we tend to forget about Him just as fast, or until the next time we need His help and we even then we often don’t appreciate what He has done for us.
But the point I want to make this morning is that we need to trust God, we need to ask of God, we need to go to Him first, we need to make Him our priority in life.
When we do, life is good! No matter how you look at it,
God is good all the time and His benevolence is unending!
“The Lord is good to all… and He mercies are over all His works. . . . You give them their food in due time… You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing” (Psalms 145:9-16).
God is good all the time… and He wants to pour His blessing out on you… but you need to talk to Him about it and you need to ask Him for them.
God is good all the time!
Good Day!