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WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT
Updated: Tuesday, April 15, 2008
"What would you have that I should do for you?" How would you answer this if Jesus came and asked you this question? Would you ask for money? Would you ask for pain to cease, and for health? Perhaps you would ask for a better job, a new house, for the baby that you have so longed for or a healing of a relationship with a son, daughter, mom, dad or spouse.. There are countless number of things that are important to us and that we long for, and even pray for.
I wonder how many of us would ask for things that pertain to our own needs or desires. In 1 Kings 3:5, God ask Solomon this question. "...and God said, ask what I shall give thee." Many of us know this story and know that Solomon asked for wisdom and understanding. "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people,..." 1 Kings 3:9
Solomom asked for the ability to help others. He did not ask of riches, fame, power of a long life. Because of the nature of his request, God gave him not only his request but all the other things he could have wanted.
There are various other examples of God asking a man directly what he wanted Him to do. In Mark 10:36, Jesus asked James and John, "What would ye that I should do for you?" A little bit farther in that chapter, Jesus asked the blind man, "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?"
I ask you again, "What would you have Jesus do for you"? James 4: 2 says "ye have not because ye ask not." And then in Matthew 7:11, the Jesus says, "If he then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?""Asking" plays a large part in our relationship with our heavenly Father. Along with the asking comes the motive behind it. Why do we want this particular thing? Is it to satisfy a personal need for recognition, acceptence, or love? Is it to fill a dream or ambition that we have long held close to our hearts? Is it something needed that we might be a better tool in the Master's hand? Is it something that will bring glory to us or glory to Him?
Because this is an important subject, we will continue with it next week. But I would ask you to get alone with the Lord, and do some honest soul searching and ask yourself, what do I really sincerely want God to do for me and why do I want it?
THOUGHT TO PONDER:Do you believe God will give you what you ask? If not, why not?
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- Sandy HastingsApril 15, 2008 |
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