Knowing How to Ask

Knowing How to Ask

1 John 5: ¹³ I am writing this to you so that you may know that you have eternal life—you that believe in the Son of God. ¹⁴ We have courage in God's presence, because we are sure that he hears us if we ask him for anything that is according to his will. ¹⁵ He hears us whenever we ask him; and since we know this is true, we know also that he gives us what we ask from him.

 

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“Can I go outside?” was my innocent question “No, it’s about to rain” was the decline. “Can I use the car?” “No, you don’t have your driver’s license yet.” “Can I have time off?” was the question I asked my boss later in life. “No, the company is in a state of emergency and we need everyone.” “Why does ‘everybody’ tell me NO!?

 

• I was tired of hearing NO for an answer.
• I was tired of not getting “my” way.
• I was tired of having to ask for stuff!

 

John addressed those who had needs. He first provided comfort to those who believe in JESUS as the Savior, by telling them they have eternal life. But what about life on earth? He addressed that to by saying “HE hears us if we ask HIM for anything that is according to HIS will.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD is sovereign and has the right to hear all of my requests and can say “Yes”, “No” or “Not Right Now.”
• GOD wants to help me be part of HIS plan.
• My requests work best when they align with GOD’s will.

 

Asking GOD for anything does not mean I will get everything. I mean, if I were to ask for something sinful, HE will say “No.” He will then guide me to grow up and ask HIM “What do YOU want?”

 

GOD gets excited when I try to align with HIS will. HE sees my efforts to do what pleases HIM, namely seeking the lost and serving my neighbors. HE cam to seek and to serve, so should I. I am glad GOD hears and answers my prayers with a “Yes” when I align to HIS good and perfect will.

 

Challenge:

• Why does the writer mention courage?
• Have you ever wanted something that you knew was not good for you?
• Will you align your request to GOD’s will and seek what HE wants today?

Available Power

Available Power

James 5: ¹⁶ So then, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you will be healed. The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect. ¹⁷ Elijah was the same kind of person as we are. He prayed earnestly that there would be no rain, and no rain fell on the land for three and a half years. ¹⁸ Once again he prayed, and the sky poured out its rain and the earth produced its crops.

 

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Thinking I was by myself, I came up with plans to address my problems. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my chest. I couldn’t even breathe deeply. I called a coworker over to my apartment. He asked questions that showed he was nervous about the situation too. I began to pray because I did not know what to do. Suddenly I felt better. I went to the doctor and they could not find out what was wrong.

 

• I was scared.
• I was in pain.
• I did not know how to “fix” this.

 

James says some difficult words to hear. “Confess your sins to one another.” He implies that some, not all, ailments could be manifested by sin. He provides a remedy, namely prayer.

 

My Observations:

• Confession of my sins relieves me of guilt that could cause me to lose sleep.
• Turning away from my sins enables me to rest better because my conscience is clear.
• Asking GOD to intervene when someone tells me about his or her sins, is more powerful than gossip.

 

Praying seems weak but is extremely powerful. I mean, when I humble myself before GOD, HE is willing to listen. HE knows when I am too proud or too hateful to place things before HIM correctly. HE also knows when I am forcing HIS hand to get “my” way. BUT GOD is merciful.

 

HE brings to mind the things I need to confess and gives me an opportunity to say, “I need help with this.” HE is willing to help me when I ask for help. HE is delighted when I tell others I need help in an area of my life. HE then surrounds me with the right people to guide me back to HIM. I am glad HE is willing to heal me and put me back on the right path.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer mention confession when he later talks about being healed?
• Do you believe in the power of prayer?
• Why don’t you get your way all the time?
• Wil you tap into the power of prayer by confessing and talking to GOD on someone else’s behalf today?

Searching But Not Finding

 

Searching But Not Finding

Acts 28: ²³ They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. ²⁴ Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. ²⁵ They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:

 

²⁶ “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
²⁷ For this people’s heart has become calloused;
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.

 

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Angrily, I stormed off from “those” people. They said the wrong thing again. When I got to the next group, I was okay for a while, but that group started acting the same as the other group. I got angry and stormed off from “those” people. When I got to the third group I said. “I will stay here no matter what.” This group seemed to act different.

 

• There were times when I was searching for problems and found them.
• There were times when I was searching for what is wrong and found it.
• There were times when I was searching for peace but could not find it because I found problems and only could see what was wrong.

 

The church leaders decided to meet with Paul and brought a large number with them. Some were looking for answers and others were looking for an argument. Both groups found what they were looking for, but one group did not get what they wanted. They overlooked the answer that would bring them peace.

 

• GOD says to me “See ME with your eyes.”
• GOD says to me “Hear ME with your ears.”
• GOD says to me “Understand ME with your heart.”

 

When I look for problems with other people, I don’t have to look very long. I mean their flaws jump out immediately. BUT GOD looks at the person differently. HE sees a creation HE made and said “Well done.” When I look at that person through sin filled, hurt eyes, I can search for something I want to see, but will not find it.

 

But when I ask GOD to heal my eyes, I can see what HE sees in “that” person. When I ask GOD to truly speak to me, I can hear the comfort HE wants me to give to “those” people. And when I ask GOD to change “me” I can understand with my heart what I must do. I am grateful GOD gives me another chance to be healed by HIM.

 

• What are you searching for in someone but not finding?
• Are you ready to leave a group because “they” are not acting right?
• Will you ask GOD to open your eyes, ears and heart to HIM so HE can heal you without expecting “them” to change?

Alarm Clock

Alarm Clock

John 12: ³⁷ But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, ³⁸ that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:

“Lord, who has believed our report?

And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

³⁹ Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:

⁴⁰ “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,
Lest they should see with their eyes,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”

⁴¹ These things Isaiah said ^[f]when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.

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After placing my child in the baby carrier, I performed my daily ritual. I loaded important papers and other work items in the back seat. I got in the car and started to drive off. When I looked in the back seat, I noticed the baby was not there. I got out of the car and went into the house. There was my child, sitting in the carrier, smiling. Oh, and I noticed my coffee was sitting on top of the car.

• There have been times when I was distracted.
• There have been times when I had so much on my mind that all I could do was concentrate on what was causing stress.
• There have been times when I was awake, but could not remember how so much time had passed.

JESUS had healed blind people, cured people of extreme diseases, and raised people from the dead. This was the beginning of a list that is too long to write. Unfortunately, the longer the list, the more the people would not believe in HIM. They were distracted by their desires and could not “see” or “hear” HIM.

• GOD wants me to wake up and see what HE made me for.
• GOD wants me to open my eyes to those around me who need HIM.
• GOD wants me to understand in my heart what HE wants me to do.

 ““HE has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts” are the words that scare me most. I mean, if I want something that GOD does not want me to have, HE may give it to me, in abundance. HE will then blind me to think “I” did this. HE will also harden my heart to think HE does not exist or HE no longer heals.

GOD wants my full attention. HE wants me to believe in HIS healing, saving power. HE can do whatever HE wants, whenever HE wants. Fortunately, HE wants to do things with love in HIS heart. I am glad HE pursues me.

• Are you distracted away from GOD’s power?
• Are you just going through the motions, not knowing why so much time has passed?
• Will you wake up and see GOD in your life so you can understand with your heart how much HE loves you today?

Inconveniently Ready

Luke 11: ⁵ And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; ⁶ for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; ⁷ and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? ⁸ I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

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“Can you take me to the emergency?” I asked. It was the middle of the night and I had no one to turn to but a coworker. I explained the problem and he got out of bed and took me.

• There were times when I inconvenienced people.
• There were times when I was in need at an inconvenient time.
• There were times when I was at the mercy of others and I did not want to ask for help, but needed it.

JESUS was actually speaking of persistence in HIS example, but HE did it in a way that also showed the need for persistence and humility. The “friend” in HIS illustration, was not ashamed to ask for help, even at an inconvenient time.

• GOD wants me to respond to helping others even if it is inconvenient.
• GOD wants me to swallow my pride and express my needs even when it is “inconvenient.”
• GOD wants me to seek HIM with persistence.

GOD has the right to say “No” to many things I ask for, but I ask anyway. In fact, GOD does not mind if I ask over and over and over again. HE can handle my request and, in the meantime, I grow spiritually because I have faith that HE will deliver in HIS time.

• Are you in need and are afraid to ask for help because it is inconvenient?
• Do you have someone you need to help but it is not at a convenient time?
• Will you grow your faith by continuing to ask GOD for HIS favor, even if it means asking for the same thing over and over again?

Illogical Belief

Luke 9: ³⁷ Now it happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met Him. ³⁸ Suddenly a man from the multitude cried out, saying, “Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child. ³⁹ And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and it departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him. ⁴⁰ So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”

⁴¹ Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.”⁴² And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father.

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Praying wasn’t uncommon for me, but this time it was more serious. Someone very close to me was very ill with a life threatening disease. Prompted to pray, I kneeled down and cried out. “Please!”

• There have been many times when life was overwhelming to me.
• There have been many times when things around me seemed to get out of hand.
• There have been many times when I felt helpless and felt I had nowhere to turn.

A father came to JESUS begging HIM to heal his son from a demonic hold. The disciples tried to rid the boy of the evil spirit, but could not. JESUS simply spoke and the boy was healed.

• GOD says to me “MY power is greater than any unclean power.”
• GOD says to me “Do not be afraid, for I AM with you.”
• GOD says to me “Have faith and believe and you will see and do great things.”

Believing that GOD will take care of physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual matters sometimes seems like too much to bear. I mean it is illogical to believe in demons causing physical problems that obvious research and science can explain away. BUT GOD says “believe.”

JESUS created everything, yet we as humans believe humans are the center of existence. GOD wants me to have faith in the spiritual realm and credit everything to HIM rather than random chance or an unlucky “universe.” HE is my healer and I am forever grateful to GOD.

• Are you facing something difficult that is thoroughly out of your hands?
• Do you feel like giving up?
• Will you stop trying to be logical and allow GOD to fill you with HIS SPIRIT today?
• Will you be healed by GOD by allowing HIM to penetrate your heart?

Faith Practice

Luke 7: ⁶ Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. ⁷ Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁸ For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

⁹ When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” ¹⁰ And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

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“How will I ever do this?” I said to myself nervously. I had never done this before and I did not feel comfortable. As I took a deep breath, I got behind the wheel of the car. To my dismay, there were other practicing drivers sitting in the back seat. “Put the car in drive” the instructor said. I followed his instructions. After the drive was over, I felt more confident. “When will we do this again?” I said excitedly!

• Sometimes my faith is lacking.
• Sometimes I am not confident because of the unknown.
• Sometimes I need help with my faith.

One thing I noticed is the centurion never actually came out to speak with JESUS. He sent messengers to communicate between them because he did not feel worthy to be in JESUS’s presence. The centurion also believe in JESUS’s authority, so much so, that he could accept a word from JESUS knowing the healing would take place.

• JESUS wants me to practice having faith in HIM.
• JESUS wants me to believe in HIS authority over all of my situations.
• JESUS wants me to be more and more confident in HIS abilities and less confident in mine.

Just knowing JESUS is concerned about my situations is good enough. I mean once I know HE is handling the circumstance, I feel better. I praise HIM in the middle of the storm rather than when it is over, but it took practice to get there. Yes, I still question “why” and sin, BUT GOD teaches me faith daily and I trust HIM more and more.

• Do you feel your faith is lacking?
• Are you facing a huge situation that seems insurmountable?
• Can you allow GOD to have authority over your circumstance to do as HE pleases?
• Will you put your trust in HIM today?

Just a Touch

Luke 6: ¹⁷ And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, ¹⁸ as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. ¹⁹ And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.

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Walking down the street troubled I did not see anyone I passed. I almost walked in front of a fast car racing to turn a corner, but even that did not break through my distractions. Out of nowhere a person seemed to appear next to me holding a sign with the words “GOD Bless You”. I handed the person a dollar and immediately felt better. My distractions went away.

• Sometimes life can be distracting
• Sometimes life can have a lot going on.
• Sometimes life can have very difficult moments.

JESUS fame spread throughout the area and a huge crowd went to see HIM. HE could do nothing but stand there as people pushed and shoved their way to simply touch HIM. When they did, they were immediately healed of any disease they had. Unclean spirits shrieked from their bodies and they were no longer tormented.

• GOD wants me to know I just need a little touch from HIM to be healed.
• GOD wants me to believe that any problem can be fixed by HIM.
• GOD wants me to trust in HIS mighty power and know I only need a touch from HIM.

Just a tiny amount of GOD can do infinite wonders. HE has healed me, saved me and lifted me when I was down. Even speaking the name “JESUS” can drive out tormenting spirits that people classify with other labels. I need just a touch of JESUS daily and I am alright.

• Are you distracted?
• Do you have a lot on your mind?
• Can you seek just a little of JESUS to have HIM carry your burdens away?

Healing Process

Mark 8: ²² Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. ²³ So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.

²⁴ And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”

²⁵ Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. ²⁶ Then He sent him away to his house, saying, “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.”

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“Come back in about a week” the doctor said to me after the surgery. He wanted to see if the wound was healing as expected.  When I went back, the wound was healing but I was still in a lot of pain.

• Sometimes I want to be healed instantly.
• Sometimes I want the pain to go away immediately.
• Sometimes I want to be finished with the pain and to get on with the healing.

What stuck out to me in this passage is JESUS did not heal the blind man instantly; instead HE took a couple of tries to restore the blind man’s eyes. What does this mean for me?

• GOD says to me “I have a plan to prosper you, but you will go through trials to get there.”
• GOD says to me “I will continue to grow you but the growth process will not be instantaneous.”
• GOD says to me “I will be there with you always even through times of trouble.”

After hearing stories of JESUS healing people without touching them, I’m sure the blind man expected to be instantly healed, but he wasn’t. JESUS showed me that some problems will be cleared up instantly and some may take a while. There is a process to healing and GOD governs the timing.

• Have you prayed for healing and it is taking longer than expected?
• Do you feel like giving up on prayer and running away fro GOD?
• Will you allow GOD to heal you in HIS time so you can praise HIM to many people?

Powerful Mercy

Mark 5: Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. ² And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, ³ who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, ⁴ because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. ⁵ And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

⁶ When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. ⁷ And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.”

⁸ For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” ⁹ Then He asked him, “What is your name?”

And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” ¹⁰ Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.

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Driving on a sunny day made me feel great. I was on my way to a friend’s house to enjoy some company. As I drove through the intersection near his house, a car ran a stop sign and hit my old junker. With little apology they threatened me instead of providing their insurance. I wanted them arrested for the rest of their lives!

• Sometimes I want revenge!
• Sometimes I want “justice!”
• Sometimes I want “that” person to get what’s coming to them!

JESUS does something absolutely amazing in this slice of history. A legion of demons, whose job was to torment people, asked for mercy.  JESUS had the power to immediately speak them into being eternally tormented but restrained for it was not the right time.

• JESUS says to me “Vengeance is MINE.”
• JESUS says to me “I AM full of mercy and grace.”
• JESUS says to me “Judge not lest you be judged.”

This conversation between the demons and JESUS shows me that HE can give mercy to anyone who asks. I need to follow HIS example of giving mercy to those who may be against me.

• Did someone do something to you?
• Did they deliberately hurt you?
• Can you accept the power GOD is giving you by showing undeserved mercy on them?

Sorrow Gate

Matthew 26: ³⁶ Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸ Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

³⁹ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

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Deeply troubled about many things, I could not rest. I woke up in the middle of the night with my mind racing over all the things that were going on. Maybe if I work, then I can get my mind off of stuff. I could not work because of all the thoughts.

• Sometimes I get worried.
• Sometimes I get troubled.
• Sometimes I am so full of sorrow, I cannot even think.

As JESUS approached HIS death HE was sorrowful and troubled. Only HE and the FATHER knew what it meant to be blamed for every sin of mankind and JESUS was going to do just that. HE faced deep sorrow but did something amazing.

• JESUS showed me how to pray in the middle of my sorrow.
• JESUS showed me how to ask for the FATHER’s will and not mine.
• JESUS showed me how to bring friends along to watch over me in my sorrow so I won’t stay there.

Deity wrapped in humanity was JESUS’s makeup. HE knew HIS plight and HIS humanity felt sorrow. It’s alright to feel this way but not stay that way. GOD wants me to open a gate to HIM and pray. HE wants to take my sorrow, guilt and shame. All I have to do is pray.

• Are you full of sorrow?
• Are you troubled?
• Will you pray to the FATHER about your troubles so HE can give you peace?  

In loving memory of cousin Curtis.

Make Me Wanna Shout!

Matthew 20: ²⁹ As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. ³⁰ Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

³¹ The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

³² Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

³³ “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”

³⁴ Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

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Hurriedly I typed in the last few words. I ran as fast as I could to get to the building by the deadline as my paper was due at 5:00PM. When I arrived the door was locked.  “Let me in” I cried out! “Be quiet, people are taking finals” someone said. I kept calling out. They let me in and I turned my paper in.

• There have been times I have needed to cry out.
• There have been times when the crowd wanted me to be quiet but I couldn’t
• There have been times that I simply needed help that the crowd could not provide.

JESUS’s fame was now in full bloom. People followed HIM all the time wanting to see the next trick or to truly be healed. The blind men knew of HIS powers and got so excited that nothing would stop them. They had one purpose on their mind, namely to be healed.

• JESUS hears me when I cry out to HIM.
• JESUS listens to me when I ask to be healed of my blindness.
• JESUS touches me to the point of total healing from all unrighteousness.

The business crowd may not want me to shout about JESUS, nor do the political mongers. BUT GOD doesn’t mind my shout. In fact, GOD wants me to shout when people want me quiet. HE wants to see my alliance to HIM and my reliance on HIM. Sometimes I have to shout to be heard over the crowd.

• Are you in need but have not asked?
• Do you want something but are afraid of what the crowd would think?
• Can you openly ask without worrying about the crowd?