Tag: Ask

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Pray For The Fathers

OCTOBER 7

MATTHEW 7:9_Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask…

To become a parent rates very high in the blessing category.

Psalm 127:3-5 (KJV), “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” 

According to this verse, children are one way God rewards His people. Arrows in the hand of a mighty man are powerful. If hunting is the goal, then the bow is no good without the arrows. The arrows are everything to achieving the purpose of the hunt. Fathers should realize the reward God gives them in children. They should feel strength and might in fatherhood. They should feel happy. 

I wish these verses were true in the life of every child born. However, since they are not, I pray for Malachi 4:6 (KJV) to become a reality, “And he [Elijah the prophet] shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers …”

As much as is possible in my tiny space in the world, I want to contribute to this becoming reality.

Pray for the fathers in your circle of life.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, Help me feel the specialness that is mine as Your child. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.          

Christ teaches children are a reward—I am one!

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He Does It All!

OCTOBER 6

MATTHEW 7:9_Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask…

One of the great mysteries of the spiritual life is the Trinity. The Triune God who functions as three-in-one. 

The Bible teaches God can function as the Eternal Father, the Jehovah-Jireh provider, and as the I AM. The Bible teaches this same God can function as the Son, the Creator of all that exists, and as the Christ, the Messiah who saves for eternity all who believe. The Bible also teaches this same God can function as the indwelling Holy Spirit, who comforts, teaches, and guides. No wonder He is all-powerful—He does it all! 

Jesus calls God, Father. So do I. Jesus taught to pray to God as My Father, which art in Heaven. As a Jesus follower, you are a child of God. II Corinthians 1:3 (KJV), “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort” Be comfortable in God. He loved you before you loved Him. 

God wanted King David to know how to call upon Him. Psalm 89:27 (KJV), “He [King David … and me] shall cry unto me [God], Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.”

God is all those things to me.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, I stand in awe of You and worship You as my Father. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.          

Christ teaches me God is my Father—I am His child!

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Get Lined Up!

OCTOBER 2

MATTHEW 7:8_For everyone that asketh, receiveth…

You can’t ignore your coach’s instructions and expect to stay on the team. You can’t come to your piano lesson, without practice, and expect the Top Student Award.

To receive what you asked requires something on your part. In the September 29 devotional several Bible verses are listed concerning asking and receiving.  Do you notice this principle in each of these verses? 

Matthew 21:22, your asking requires faith that your prayer life is something Jesus hears, is capable of answering, and will answer.

John 14:13, your asking should ultimately result in God being glorified.

John 15:7, your asking requires that you incorporate the Bible into your life.

John 16:24, your asking requires that you ask in Jesus’ name.

I John 5:14-15, your asking requires confidence in your prayer and that you ask for God’s will above your own.

Jesus says if you ask, you receive.

Get lined up with God’s plan!

PRAYER

God of Creation, I want whatever I ask for to ultimately glorify You. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                             

Christ knows what my asking requires—He teaches me!

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The Better Plan

SEPTEMBER 29

MATTHEW 7:7_and it shall be given you…

Jesus adds something to the ask. It is the way to receive your requests. What else did Jesus say about asking and receiving?

Matthew 21:22 (KJV), “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

John 14:13 (KJV), “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

John 15:7 (KJV), “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

John 16:24 (KJV), “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

The disciple John listened when Jesus taught about the asking. He not only recorded Jesus’ words, but had his own to add: I John 5:14-15 (KJV), “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

John adds according to his will. We have previously studied the necessity to ask God’s will over our own. In the end, it is the better plan.

Ask!

PRAYER

Holy Jesus, I believe You hear my request and will answer for the good. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                             

Christ wants me to ask of Him—He wants to give to me!!                                   

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Ask!

SEPTEMBER 28

MATTHEW 7:7_Ask…

What would life be like if you never asked questions? You would never learn even a fraction of the knowledge available – just for the asking.  

People who love you want you to ask. If they have knowledge about something which could be of help to you, they want to share with you. But if there is no communication, they are not aware of your needs. Asking reveals needs. That’s what it’s all about. 

When Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for his son, Isaac, the servant prayed, Genesis 24 (KJV):’12 And he said, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: 14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.”

That was a wise servant. He didn’t want to take on such a big responsibility without asking for God’s help.

And by the way, he received exactly what he asked for.

PRAYER

Lord God, I need You to teach me how to ask, and when. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                 

Christ desires me to ask for His help – I will!