Tag: ask and receive
Confidence in Christ
Scripture reading for November 25: 1 John 5
“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the Name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.” 1 John 5:11-15
John’s readers struggled to really know if they had received eternal life. Satan loves to use doubt and deception to keep people in fear and darkness. Nothing has really changed in our culture today. But God is light and in Him is no darkness. God has revealed through His Word that He has provided eternal life for all who will receive His Son, Jesus Christ. If you have the Son, you have eternal life. If you reject the Son, you are without eternal life and God’s wrath rests on you. (John 3:36)
John wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to bring clarity to believers in Jesus. God the Father wants His children to know that they are a part of His forever family. The Holy Spirit indwelling us testifies that we are God’s children by crying “Abba, Father”. (Galatians 4:6) Jesus gave His followers the promise of asking in His Name for anything we have need of and it would be granted. (John 16:23-24) By faith this means that if we asked for forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life, God has heard us and granted us what we asked. Faith in God’s Word brings confidence and deliverance from all fears of future punishment. (1 John 4:18) Eternal life is found only in a relationship with God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
Have you struggled with fear or uncertainty about your future after leaving this earth? How does John’s letter help you to regain confidence and begin to live by faith? Have you asked God for His forgiveness in Jesus’ Name?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this assurance of eternal life found in Jesus Christ, Your Son. Thank You for the privilege of prayer in the Name of Jesus and the assurance of my needs being taken care of because You hear and answer. Use me to share these truths with those You place in my path. Amen.
Asking for wisdom!
Scripture Reading for April 2: 1st Kings1-4
1 Kings 3:3 “Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places.” . . vs. 5-6 “At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before You in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you.” . .vs 9 “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern Your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this Your great people?”
Newly crowned King Solomon had an encounter with the Lord. He had gone to Gibeon to sacrifice to the Lord and that day offered a thousand burnt offerings! Extravagant worship marked the life of this newly anointed king! That night as Solomon lay asleep, the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” (1st Kings 3:4-5) Solomon first thanked the Lord for his kindness to his father David in placing him on the throne. Then he confessed his need for God’s help in ruling His people, asking for a discerning heart and wisdom to rule wisely. (1st Kings 3:7-9)
This pleased the Lord! Solomon was granted what he asked for and also given by grace what he did not ask for! God gave him riches and honor so that there would be no equal among kings of that time. (1st Kings 3:10-14) Jesus Christ has been made to us wisdom from God! (1st Corinthians 1:30) We are told that if we lack wisdom, we can ask God for it and He will give us liberally! James 1:5-7) Praise the Lord!
In considering Solomon’s walk with the Lord, how would God say that you felt toward Him? How might God describe your walk with Him? How are you at asking God for what you want or need?
Faith to ask and receive!
Scripture reading for July 9th: Matthew 9
Key Scriptures: Matthew 9:27-30 “And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” When He entered the house, the blind men came to Him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” But they went away and spread His fame through all that district.”
Jesus had taught often on prayer. He encouraged His followers to ask, seek, and knock. He also stated that they would receive, find and have doors opened. He encouraged persistence and belief. As Jesus passed by, two blind men heard He was near and began to cry out with loud voices. They addressed Jesus with a messianic title, ‘Son of David’, and asked for mercy. Even when Jesus passed them by and went into a house, they followed Him. Jesus asked them if they believed He was able to heal their eyes. They responded in the affirmative. Jesus took them at their words, and declared that they would have what they believed for. Their eyes were immediately opened! Ask and you will receive! Have faith to ask and then receive according to that same faith.
Matthew 9:20-22 “And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His garment, for she said to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her He said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.””
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, I believe in You and in Your Word. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and simple trust to act when You present opportunities to believe and act on Your Word. Help me to ask in faith always and receive by faith always. To You be all glory and honor and praise!
Matthew 10:1 “And He called to Him His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.”
No one will take away your joy!
Scripture reading for April 28th: John 16
Because He was soon leaving them, Jesus warned the disciples of coming persecution. They would be put out of the synagogue and some would be killed by people thinking that they were doing God a favor. People who would do this did not know Jesus or the Father. This warning would help them to know that what was happening to them was in God’s plan and understanding.
“But I tell you the truth, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment in regard to sin, because men do not believe in Me. . .” (John 16:7-9) “But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will take of Mine and make it known to you.” (John 16:13-14)
Jesus would not leave His followers alone or helpless. They would have a Counselor who would come to them and live in them. This Spirit of Truth would take the things of Jesus and reveal them to the disciples. He would guide them into all truth and tell them things to come. They would be able to ask the Father for anything in Jesus’ Name and He would do it for them! (John 16:23-24) What amazing words of encouragement and hope from our Savior! His Spirit will keep us close to Jesus by taking His words and revealing them to us!
Chosen by Jesus to bear fruit!
Scripture reading for April 27th: John 15
Grapes are one of the most widely cultivated crops in the world. There are many varieties and all require some care and tending to make them fruitful and keep them healthy. They provide food, juice, and wine. The branches are good for little because they are weak and bend easily. Jesus used this plant as an example for His disciples of how they must stay attached and produce fruit.
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the Gardener. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself: it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.” (John 15:1-4)
Jesus told them that He was the true vine and that they were the branches that were to produce the fruit. The Father was the gardener that pruned the branches that did not bear fruit. These branches were good for nothing but burning in the fire. (vs. 6) The branches that produced would also be pruned to make them even more fruitful. Branches must not think that they can produce fruit on their own. They must abide in the vine to draw the needed nutrients. Even so, disciples must stay attached to Jesus in order to produce fruit. They must submit to pruning to increase their yield. Not producing fruit is a bad option that yields being cut off! “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last.” (John 15:16)