Tag: Ask

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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 you incorporate the Bible into your life.

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

I John 5:14-15—your asking requires confidence in your prayer and 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—a 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. 1 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.”

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 help you, they want to share. Without 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!

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But the Power of Jesus

NOVEMBER 29

MATTHEW 7:22_and in Thy name cast out devils…

Can these people actually cast out demons? Or do they think they can just convince Jesus they can? I don’t claim to know a lot about demonic possession, but I don’t believe there is any power to exhort them but the power of Jesus. 

Because life is spiritual as well as physical, we need to have knowledge of both. We primarily focus on the physical until we have had an encounter with Jesus and answer that knock. John 15:16 (KJV), “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

You didn’t become a Christian because it was your idea. You answered the call, the knock, the pursuing of Jesus. You responded, and now you are doing the asking, seeking, knocking, pursuing. You enter a strait gate and a narrow way to gain wisdom, understanding, and knowledge of truth. And why do you want truth? By now you’ve got this—to live free!

We must face the reality that the spiritual world consists of darkness as well as light. Jesus calls us to be light and light must be free.

Any encumbrances to light keep it from overcoming darkness.                   

PRAYER

God of Heaven, Please keep my light free to serve You. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen. 

Christ’s light is free from encumbrances—He frees mine!

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Violating Comfort Zones

JUNE 24

MATTHEW 6:14_For if ye forgive men their trespasses…

When you see a No Trespassing sign what does it tell you? Don’t go there! Don’t cross this line! This is not free range! Turn around! Go another way! If you continue in this path you are violating the law! Stay away!

Use your key to gain some wisdom, understanding, and knowledge about trespassing. You will find a lot. Proverbs 4:27 (KJV), “Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.”

Sometimes you stray from the path. Just a small step right or left, may require a very large step to get back on track. For the salty-lit-up disciple, that should bring conviction. You are unsteady. You can’t make yourself do right. The Holy Spirit pulls in the direction to follow. Ask forgiveness for trespassing down the wrong road.

The Lord places people in your life. The Bible calls them your neighbors. That does not mean they necessarily live next door.

Sometimes people stray and trespass into your life—violating comfort zones and causing pain.

No salty-lit-up disciple would deny forgiveness to a trespasser. Disciples know they have received forgiveness from God for their trespasses.      

PRAYER

Guiding Father, Please guide my feet in Your path. Please block me so I do not turn in another direction. If I do, set me back on Your road. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ is the Path—I want to stay with Him!