Harvest Time

Harvest Time

Revelation 14: ¹⁴ Then I looked, and there was a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was what looked like a human being, with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. ¹⁵ Then another angel came out from the temple and cried out in a loud voice to the one who was sitting on the cloud, “Use your sickle and reap the harvest, because the time has come; the earth is ripe for the harvest!” ¹⁶ Then the one who sat on the cloud swung his sickle on the earth, and the earth's harvest was reaped.

 

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Seeing vegetables grow was something that excited me from my youth. It started when I planted some tomatoes and got so many, that we could not give them away!

 

• I planted seeds and watered the plants to make sure they were nourished.
• I removed weeds from the plants to keep them from overtaking my garden.
• When it was harvest time, it was very obvious, as fruit from my labor appeared.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw a figure that “looked like a human being” who was ready for a harvest. He also heard an angel explain that the “earth is ripe for the harvest. “

 

My Observations:

• JESUS said “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” meaning there are a lot of people who need to be served by those who believe in JESUS, but few believers will go out to serve.
• Lots and lots of believers will be harvested by GOD someday.
• Seeds of GOD’s message needs to grow in the hearts of believers and once ripe, will be ready to bear fruit.

 

Once fruit is bared, it requires to be harvested. That sounds obvious. But what about human fruit? Once GOD has seen the seeds of HIS word grow in the heart of humans, belief, faith, perseverance and fruit production is produced.

 

We are supposed to plant seeds of faith wherever we go. We may also hear what seeds someone else has put in the hears of humans and add our water to help that message grow. GOD adds the HOLY SPIRIT to produce fruit that HE will one day harvest.

 

Challenge

• What was difficult for the writer to describe?
• Have you ever tried to grow plants that bear fruits or vegetables?
• Will you take GOD’s commandment to heart and love your neighbor as you love yourself, so you can bear fruit today?

Made Special

Made Special

Ephesians 3: ⁷ I was made a servant of the gospel by God's special gift, which he gave me through the working of his power. ⁸ I am less than the least of all God's people; yet God gave me this privilege of taking to the Gentiles the Good News about the infinite riches of Christ, ⁹ and of making all people see how God's secret plan is to be put into effect.

 

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Doing an assessment of my skills, looks and accomplishments when I was insecure made me feel like I was not going to get anywhere soon. I saw people reach heights and overcome hurdles, yet I felt I had done nothing and was headed nowhere.

 

• I felt like I was insignificant.
• I compared myself to other people and felt bad about what I had done.
• I thought I was not special and had no gifts or talents.

 

Saul was zealous about GOD. He persecuted those who were not following the rules to the letter. He was given permission to have people killed. GOD called Saul to preach about the love of JESUS, and renamed him Paul, who wrote this letter. He stopped persecuting the church, lost his worldly title, became insignificant to humans and became special to GOD.

 

My Observations

• GOD sees me when humans do not.
• GOD made me special to reach those HE wants me to reach.
• GOD wants me to see that being HIS servant is a privilege.

 

Standing firm on the belief of JESUS can make anyone feel insignificant. I mean, the world praises celebrities, politicians, rich and powerful people. It sometimes seems like those who follow JESUS are the opposite of famous people. BUT GOD sees different.

 

When one person believes in JESUS there is incredible rejoicing in heaven! To the world, this seems insignificant, but to GOD, this means everything. HE stores up treasures in heaven for those who use their special gift to make people see HIS secret plan put into effect. I gladly use my gifts and talents to serve GOD by the working of HIS power.

 

Challenge

• Can you hear the maturity of the writer?
• Why do you think he calls it a privilege to take the Good News to the Gentiles?
• If you feel less than special, will you stop looking at yourself and look at GOD’s incredible power and simply point one person to the infinite riches of CHRIST today?

 

What to Ask For

Matthew 7: ⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

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New to this “asking” thing, I prayed “Please, please let me win the lottery!” I was sincere and I thought my motives were right because I just wanted to “quickly” help those around me who were in debt, me included. I purchased a ticket and watched zealously. Strangely each number on my ticket was off by exactly one or two. What are the odds?

• There have been many times I asked for the wrong things.
• There have been many times I sought after things that were not good for me.
• There have been many times I knocked on the door that would have led me to my destruction.

Asking, seeking and knocking are powerful, yet dangerous abilities. Sometimes I ask to get into trouble and GOD allows me to do it abundantly, then when I ask to get out of the trial, it seems like HE leaves me there long enough for me to wish I never had asked! What can I ask for?

• GOD wants me to ask for wisdom, knowledge and understanding in order to grow HIS kingdom.
• GOD wants me to seek first HIS kingdom so HE can draw all who seek HIM back to HIM.
• GOD wants me to knock on the hearts of those who have turned their backs on HIM.

Asking for “that” person to be successful or better yet, saved, is what I find being aligned with what GOD wants. If money is required, then I truly have to check my motives to ensure the “ask” is not rooted in all kinds of evil. GOD also wants me to seek out those who are lost. HE then wants me to press on their heart by knocking on the door of their soul.

GOD also knows my needs. HE has granted me stuff, jobs and relationships. HE even showed me the location of my lost keys. HE allows me to ask for anything, but the more I ask for things that align with what HE wants, the more my prayers are answered with “Yes, of course!”

• Are you asking for something GOD does not want you to have?
• When is the last time you asked for something that would enable a person to seek GOD?
• Are you seeking GOD’s kingdom?
• Will you allow GOD to show you how to knock on someone’s heart to accept JESUS as their Savior?

What to seek

Proverbs 8: ³² “Now then, my children, listen to me;
    blessed are those who keep my ways.
³³ Listen to my instruction and be wise;
    do not disregard it.
³⁴ Blessed are those who listen to me,
    watching daily at my doors,
    waiting at my doorway.
³⁵ For those who find me find life
    and receive favor from the Lord.
³⁶ But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
    all who hate me love death.”

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Clothes! That was my first answer to what I should seek in life. I worked hard and bought knit ties, Mandarin collared shirts and two toned glasses. I would be accepted right? Not yet. I went to a fancy barber and bought some new shoes. Am I accepted yet? Not yet. I wonder if I start wearing cologne, would I be accepted.

• Sometimes I think outer appearances win me results.
• Sometimes I think outer appearances are attractive.
• Sometimes I think outer appearances enable me to receive favor.

It seemed like the beautiful people would always get their way and “I” would be left out. I was seeking a superficial crowd and I could not fit in. BUT GID wanted me to seek something else.

• GOD wants me to seek HIS wisdom which lets me know I am beautifully and wonderfully made.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS wisdom which enables me to be in HIS favor.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS wisdom which keeps me from harming myself.

GOD has all the answers, not the crowd. HE provides wisdom at the right time. I only have to seek HIS face and HE provides more wisdom than I could ever get from the crowd.

• Are you seeking worldly wisdom?
• Do you think that GOD is weak or just a concept?
• Will you turn your thoughts to HIM and allow HIM to resolve your problems?

I’m right here!

Acts 17: ²⁶ From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. ²⁷ God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ²⁸ ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

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Sliding on ice took on a new meaning when I couldn’t get control of the car. It seemed like everything happened in slow motion as my sister and I approached the light post. Even though we were buckled in her head hit the windshield and my hand was bruised from hitting the steering wheel.

“GOD where were you? Why did this have to happen to us?” I exclaimed.

• When I seek my way I can’t see GOD.
• When I seek my definition of perfection I can’t see GOD.
• When I seek my view on protection I can’t see GOD.

In college I did everything but seek GOD.  I blamed my parents and I blamed my professors and I blamed the cops and landlords and bill collectors for how life was mistreating me. I wondered where GOD was when I had troubles and I never stopped to thank HIM when times were good.

Women and parties and being the big man on campus seemed fun and a lot of people knew me BUT GOD wanted something different.

• GOD created me with free will to choose HIM and HE knew I would turn my back on HIM.
• GOD created me knowing I would choose sin yet HE forgave me anyway.
• GOD created me at to serve in this point in time with this family in this city because HIS purpose is pure and sincere.

Seeking GOD is difficult when my motives for seeking HIM are selfish. HE wants me to admit my sin to HIM and turn away from them as best I can and acknowledge I need HIM.  I got so busy looking for GOD that I couldn’t see HIM protecting me and guiding me every step of the way.

Now after admitting my flaws to HIM, HE continues to take the sin that I clutch onto so tightly away from me. HE does it so gently because HE desires a perfect relationship with me.

• Do you feel distant from GOD?
• Do you think you are not being shown grace?
• Have you considered that maybe GOD is showing you extreme grace?
• Will you consider changing your ways and specifically seek GOD today?

A way not to feel “empty”

John 7:  ³⁷ On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. ³⁸ Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

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Sitting on the edge of my bed wondering if I should get back in or get up was the state of mind I was in. My whole world was crumbling around me, or so I thought.  I was floating through life because the worries had become too much for me.

Looking back, I only wish I could face problems as light as the ones I faced during, what I thought were, tumultuous times. I felt so empty. “Why was all this happening ‘to’ me?”

• When my whole world centers around me then things happen “to” me.
• When my whole world centers around me then situations out of my control will bring me down.
• When my whole world centers around me then other people are the cause of my emptiness.

Selfish was the best word to summarize what I was going through.  It seemed like everyone was out to get me.  My parents didn’t understand me, the professor didn’t like me, my girlfriend dumped me, and the judicial system caused me to speed and get tickets. Is there anyone on my side?

• JESUS said “Come to me” which means I have to leave “me” and go to HIM.
• JESUS said “Drink” which means stop thinking in selfish ways and accept HIS ways of peace.
• JESUS said “Believe” which means I can have a peaceful life in spite of situations.

After believing in HIM, HE gave me the HOLY SPIRIT who now resides in me.  The empty hole in my heart was now filled to the point of overflowing.  I started seeing other people and their needs whereas before I could only see mine. Instead of doing things only for me, I could now do for the masses. It’s only because of the HOLY SPIRIT that I am able to serve.

• Do you feel empty right now?
• Does it seem like everyone around you is against you?
• Is life making you tired?
• Can you “believe” that GOD cares about you when no one else does?
• Will you let HIM fill your heart with HIS love for others?

I’m being pursued

John 5: ⁵ One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. ⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

 ⁷ “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

 ⁸ Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” ⁹ At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

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Boredom was my accepted lifestyle. “I guess I’m sentenced to die here in this go nowhere job”, I thought to myself. Then the phone rang. It was a company who had “heard” about me. Suddenly life ran through my veins. I was once again excited and I could get out of this dump!

• Being pursued by humans feels great because it feeds my ego.
• Feeling wanted by humans is wonderful because it feeds my ego.
• Being needed by humans is magnificent because it feeds my ego.

It feels great getting my ego stroked! I mean when people pursue me for advice or pursue me for me, it makes me feel… I don’t know… better than I thought I was. Unfortunately once my ego is fed, I start thinking I’m better than I really am.

GOD, the creator of universes, the MOST HIGH, the greatest being, decided to pursue me because I turned my back on HIM. In fact the more I run from HIM, the more HE pursues me.

• GOD saw I would not accept HIS ways so HE took the penalty for my sin.
• GOD saw I would try to find my own way so HE placed obstacles in my way until I turned my eyes to HIM.
• GOD saw I would never remember what HE told me so HE placed the HOLY SPIRIT inside me.

Even today HE pursues me. After years and years of walking with HIM, HE still molds my sinful heart towards HIS and guides me through this scary thing called life. HE asked the paralyzed man “do you want to get well?”

There was nothing the man could do to make himself well. GOD pursued him and healed him once the man admitted he needed help and was willing to be helped. GOD pursues me and HE wants me to pursue HIM.

Think of a baby. He/she has all the needs, yet when he/she reaches out and smiles at me, he/she makes me want to do more. The more I seek HIM the more HE pursues me and blesses me!

• Are you trying to pursue GOD?
• How often do you speak to HIM?
• Have you asked HIM “what do you want me to do?”

You are what you “see.”

Luke 11: ³⁴ Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. ³⁵ See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.

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Huddled around a hole gouged in the locker room wall that separated our dressing area from the girls, we took turns peeping making us late for our next class. Pervert! Standing around complaining because everyone else was, so I joined in. Complainer! Joining in on the mob to take “that” person down. Backstabber! And the list goes on.

• I become a creep if I watch a steady diet of creepy things.
• I become a violent person if I watch violence as a regular diet.
• I become a bully if I watch and admire other bullies get their way.

Sometimes I have to turn the TV off! I mean to get away from the depressed news, over indulgent sensuality, compassionless sarcastic humor and over exaggerated violence. I found I needed “silence” to heal my soul because I saw too many negative things that wounded and harassed my spirit. I was becoming the things I watched.

• In order to be compassionate, I need to see examples of compassion.
• In order to be loving, I need to see examples of love.
• In order to be caring, I need to see people who need to be cared for.

I can’t always hide from the sewage spilling into my mind, but I can purposefully seek a break from it in order to serve GOD the way HE wants to be served. When I look at whatever is good, lovely, pure and kind, I find all burdens, fears, worries and doubts to go away. I can then praise GOD!

• What are you looking at?
• Is the thing you are looking at causing you to lust or stumble?
• Can you take time to stop looking at that for a moment?
• Will you seek to look at someone serving?

Can I have a good relationship with you?

Luke 11: ⁹ “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

   ¹¹ “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

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My parents didn’t know what they were doing at all or so I thought. They didn’t dance my dance, drink my drink, know about my technology or get my friends. How clueless could they be? I wanted out and I figured at seventeen I knew everything I needed to know about life so I didn’t ask many questions.

• I will never have a good relationship with GOD unless I seek HIS heart.
• I will never have a good relationship with my wife and kids unless I seek their needs and desires.
• I will never have a good relationship with my parents, siblings, friends and neighbors unless I seek their problems and try to be there for them.

I never thought about asking for more of the HOLY SPIRIT. I mean didn’t GOD give HIM to me when I believed JESUS is GOD who died for my sins? Isn’t my relationship solid with that action? Yes, but I still have the rest of my life to live and I want to live it fully.

“Asking” according to GOD doesn’t seem to come from a selfish angle. “Asking” seems to be something HE wants me to do to be more like HIM.  Yes I could ask for money and more junk, BUT GOD is pleased when I simply ask HIM for more of HIM to serve others and let HIM do the rest.

HE wants me to ask for better relationships so that HE can be fully glorified and draw many people to HIM.

• Do you have good relationships?
• Have you asked for a better relationship with “that” person?
• Will you seek GOD more in order to have better relationships?
• Is the relationship the other person’s responsibility or is it yours?

How strong is my faith?

Hebrews 11:  ¹ Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. ² This is what the ancients were commended for.

 ³ By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

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⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

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“On no”, I thought to myself. I woke up and had not finished studying for the test. What was I going to do? “I know… I’ll pray!” “GOD, if you exist then help me with this test!” Needless to say, I failed that test with flying colors!

• There are times when I set GOD up for failure.
• There are times when I demand that GOD should do things my way.
• There are times when I think I know better than GOD and when HE doesn’t respond in “my way” I get disappointed.

Faith is not putting false demands on GOD and believing HE will carry out my craziest whim. Faith is confidence that GOD knows exactly what HE is doing in all circumstances. At one time I used to think GOD was in only the good circumstances and the Devil in bad. Now I see things differently.

• It takes faith to see GOD working when the world is crumbling around me.
• It takes faith to praise GOD in the middle of pain and problems.
• It takes faith to give when the next dollar isn’t promised.
• It takes faith to tell people about JESUS’s return even when people would look at me like I am crazy.

GOD promises me a new life “after” I die. HE promised me no more tears, no more sin, no more pain and constant time with HIM.  It takes faith to believe all this is true.  It also takes faith to believe the current circumstance will pass and that it is part of HIS plan, no matter how uncomfortable it is.

Let’s be honest, it takes faith to believe in the invisible force who is everywhere, knows everything, is all powerful, who has always lived and who always will live. What’s funny is it takes more faith to believe two big meteors collided to create life as we know it.

JESUS is GOD and HE created the heavens and the earth with the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT.  HE died for me, this is where I place my faith and my hope is on HIS kingdom.

• Do you believe GOD has a plan for the things you are going through?
• Can you see GOD in the middle of the storm?
• Are you “earnestly” seeking HIM or do you have a hidden agenda to get “your way?”
• Have you asked GOD “what would YOU like me to do?”

What are you "looking" for?

Mark 13:32"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

35"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' "

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Hope. What a funny word. It seems like it can be lost and found. I know I have lost hope many times and it did not seem like things were going the way I had planned.

When I plan things out, I see exactly how I want everything to work. I can envision the outcome and get excited about executing my plan. But sometimes my plans keep me from doing the main thing GOD wants me to do namely, look for HIS return.

GOD said to "Be on guard! and Be alert!" HE never said to stop living but keep one eye on my life and one eye on HIS. To "Be on guard" means to know what could go wrong in life. It means to have a healthy view of life that things will go wrong and we are not supposed to fall to pieces.

When I believed that JESUS died in place of me because of my sins, I became an enemy of Satan. GOD allows him to tempt and taunt humans with the pleasures of this world. Many times I saw the nice shiny things of the world and I took my eyes off of GOD.

GOD wants us to remain focused on HIM and our eternal life. BE on guard against taking your eye off the prize.

The next thing GOD says is to "Be alert!" Being alert means things can change any moment. I can be praising GOD one minute and questioning HIS actions the next. I have to be ready to put into action the things I have learned about HIM at a moment’s notice.

That person could say the wrong thing or do the thing you despise the most. By being alert, I can control my actions "when" things blow up. It means I need to be prepared to hand out grace and mercy at a moment’s notice.

I sin and so do you and I know the HE will return soon. I keep thinking to myself, "When the last second ticks away, what would I like GOD to catch me doing?"

Imagine GOD returning during that argument, or lust filled thought or deceitful act. I cringe just thinking about GOD returning in the middle of my sin. The problem is sometimes I get too comfortable being here on earth and I don't think HE is ever going to return.

I have heard people say that CHRIST would not return for them in their lifetime and I say they are crazy. JESUS said plainly that HE is going to return and we are to watch for the signs of HIS return. The more comfortable I get on this planet, the less I watch for HIS return.

• When I watch for GOD my arguments are shorter.
• When I watch for GOD my sense of urgency goes up regarding telling people about HIS SON.
• When I watch for GOD I never get comfortable with the things of this world.

GOD knows the pleasures of life can blind me. Once I get a taste of these pleasures HE knows I will struggle to stay focused on HIM. It’s not that HE wants me to be boring and never enjoy life, rather HE wants me to know that this life is temporary.

I should trust that HE is building an eternal life for me that includes a "never ending" growth of excitement with each day being better than the last. This should be the thing I am "looking" for. But while I am still on earth, I should be looking to love HIS humans and point my life to HIM.

• What are you seeking in life?
• Are you working hard just to make ends meet?
• Are you putting all of your time towards achievement or title?
• Have you tasted the pleasures of this world and desire more?
• Are you looking up at the stars wondering which day HE will return?

Ask and HE will give it to you! Is this real?

Matthew 7:7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

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I have seen this scripture for years and sometimes I find it hard to believe. You mean all I have to do is ask? Okay then, where is my money, fame and riches? Why didn't my favorite team win? Why is my friend still sick?

For years I thought this was the blank check to get whatever "I" wanted, but after closer examination I see this scripture, like all scripture, is associated with GOD. Anything associated to GOD has to have a pure motive.

When my motive is selfish then my prayer isn't heard. "Wait a minute", you say... I pray "for" people and it seems like they aren't getting "their" way. It still comes back to motive. I have prayed for people and haven't believed in the thing I was praying for.

When I hear GOD say "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; Knock and the door will be opened to you" I hear a message that is no longer paved with greed or lust. So what does GOD want? GOD wants every human to be saved. HE wants the well being of every human on this planet.

• When I ask for a person to be saved and that it is not necessary for me to see their salvation, GOD gives it to me in abundance.
• When I ask for my heart to be changed towards the person I am angry with, HE gives it to me in abundance.
• When I ask for better relationships with family and friends, GOD gives it to me in abundance.
• When I ask for GOD to supply all my "needs", GOD gives it to me in abundance.

The problem is sometimes I can't separate "needs" from "wants." A "desire" pops in my head and then it may turn into an "expectation." When I expect to get my selfish desire then I get disappointed with GOD when HE remains silent. I pout for a while and then I blame GOD for not listening.

Now I see it... GOD knows that if I get my selfish way I would continue to move away from HIM. The more money I have, the more lavish my lifestyle becomes. After a while I judge “who” are my "true friends" or I judge who gets “some” of my money, or I judge my family’s’ motives asking "do they love me or my money?"

Now this isn't about living a poor life barely existing, but it “is” about motive.

• If GOD sees a good steward of finances, HE will bless that person with more to distribute to HIS people.
• IF HE sees a humble person who points their actions to CHRIST, then HE will grant miracles of healing.
• If HE sees faith in a person then HE will show them more and more of the future which always points to GOD.

Then I read "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you." Finally, I get it. "Asking" is yet another tool for me to have better relationships with people. When I "ask" for the best for others, GOD blesses me and grows their faith.

• Do you think GOD hears you?
• Check your prayer... Is it all about "you" or about your relationships?
• Do you really believe GOD will supply your "needs?"
• Do you need the thing you have been asking for all this time?
• Do you have bad thoughts about how GOD answers prayers?