The reason you don't have what you want is? you don't ask God. James 4:2 TLB
Imagine walking into a restaurant on a whim and asking if your order is ready. "When did you call it in?" the server asks. "Oh I didn't," you reply, "I just thought perhaps you'd have something with my name on it." Sound ridiculous? No more so than expecting God to answer requests you haven't made - or made in faith believing. James says, "The reason you don't have what you want is . . . you don't ask God." Does that mean He'll automatically give you everything you ask for? No. James adds, "Even when you do ask you don't get it because . . . you want only what
will give you pleasure" (James 4:3 TLB). Your motives need to be in tune with what God knows is best for you. John says, "This is the confidence . . . we have in Him . . . if we ask anything . . . according to His will . . . He . . . hears" (1 John 5:14 AMP).
Lamentations 3:25 says, "The Lord is good to those who wait . . . expectantly for Him" (AMP). Expectant prayer demonstrates confidence in God's goodness. Instead of fretting and taking matters into your own hands, when you say, "Lord, I'm going to trust You with this, regardless of the outcome," He will honor your faith. Paul says, "Pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks" (Philippians 4:6 NCV). Do you need a job? Help overcoming a problem? Salvation for your loved ones? A deeper walk with God? Physical or emotional healing? Jesus said, "It gives your Father great happiness to give you the [benefits of His] Kingdom" (Luke 12:32 NLT).
God wants to be good to you, so tell Him the "desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4 NKJV). And thank Him that the answer will come -- in His time!
April 24, 2008
April 21, 2008
Can You Finish The Race?
Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus....For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.Hebrews 12:1-3
Any runner will tell you that the toughest part of a race is not the end-it's just before the end. Most milers, for example, find that the third lap (of four) is usually their slowest. That's when you feel dog tired and wonder why you ever started running in the first place.
That's how faith is. At some point, after they've been Christians for several years, many believers encounter what I call the "mid-faith crisis." It's characterized by restlessness; a desire to return to the days of youth; a questioning of commitments, identity and personal values; and a loss of enthusiasm for work, marriage, family.
Have you lost your zest for life? Lost your love for people? Kind of bored with God and with church? Can't be impressed anymore? Do you have joy?
Is your job a chore or are you doing it as unto the Lord? Are you wondering why your circumstance seems so unfair?
Do you find you can't remember when you last confessed a sin to God? Are temptations becoming more alluring? Are you in a valley?
There are no simple answers for a time like this. Life is difficult. It isn't ever going to be easy.
"Some of us expect the Christian life to be one of endless prosperity, when we will feel little pain. This is called the "Prosperity Gospel." Well, Christ didn't enjoy this type of prosperity when He lived, did He? Whenever you are weary of the race, follow the advice of Hebrews 12: Keep your eyes on Him and keep on running to win.
Any runner will tell you that the toughest part of a race is not the end-it's just before the end. Most milers, for example, find that the third lap (of four) is usually their slowest. That's when you feel dog tired and wonder why you ever started running in the first place.
That's how faith is. At some point, after they've been Christians for several years, many believers encounter what I call the "mid-faith crisis." It's characterized by restlessness; a desire to return to the days of youth; a questioning of commitments, identity and personal values; and a loss of enthusiasm for work, marriage, family.
Have you lost your zest for life? Lost your love for people? Kind of bored with God and with church? Can't be impressed anymore? Do you have joy?
Is your job a chore or are you doing it as unto the Lord? Are you wondering why your circumstance seems so unfair?
Do you find you can't remember when you last confessed a sin to God? Are temptations becoming more alluring? Are you in a valley?
There are no simple answers for a time like this. Life is difficult. It isn't ever going to be easy.
"Some of us expect the Christian life to be one of endless prosperity, when we will feel little pain. This is called the "Prosperity Gospel." Well, Christ didn't enjoy this type of prosperity when He lived, did He? Whenever you are weary of the race, follow the advice of Hebrews 12: Keep your eyes on Him and keep on running to win.
April 11, 2008
Is There A Monster In Your Home?
Much of what comes into our homes via television does not contribute to a sound Christian home, then what can be done to manage this monster?
Why not start a "Just Say No" campaign against TV? I am not advocating total abstinence, although for some families that may be a good solution. But I suggest taking TV in moderation-say, six to eight hours a week.
Here are some tips :
Instruct the kids to ask you for permission to watch TV. Don't let them treat it as a "given," but a privilege. Don't let them watch it randomly, but determine what you want them to watch.
Make TV off-limits in at least these two rooms: The room where you eat your meals, and your bedroom.
Agree on the number of hours and the programs that can be watched during the week and on weekends. Let the kids choose from a list you approve.Don't let your children watch a video movie unless you know what's in it. Read the reviews of movies when they first appear at the theater to get clues about the level of bad language, sex and violence.
Don't just "watch TV"; watch specific programs for a specific purpose. There are other things more valuable to do. But think of how "the tube" undermines the family, and you will realize it will be worth it.
In the early '80s, a Michigan State University study reported that one-third of four- and five-year-olds in the U.S. would give up their relationships with their dads in favor of TV.That's scary evidence of television's power. I believe God wants us to rule over this twenty-first-century monster.
Why not start a "Just Say No" campaign against TV? I am not advocating total abstinence, although for some families that may be a good solution. But I suggest taking TV in moderation-say, six to eight hours a week.
Here are some tips :
Instruct the kids to ask you for permission to watch TV. Don't let them treat it as a "given," but a privilege. Don't let them watch it randomly, but determine what you want them to watch.
Make TV off-limits in at least these two rooms: The room where you eat your meals, and your bedroom.
Agree on the number of hours and the programs that can be watched during the week and on weekends. Let the kids choose from a list you approve.Don't let your children watch a video movie unless you know what's in it. Read the reviews of movies when they first appear at the theater to get clues about the level of bad language, sex and violence.
Don't just "watch TV"; watch specific programs for a specific purpose. There are other things more valuable to do. But think of how "the tube" undermines the family, and you will realize it will be worth it.
In the early '80s, a Michigan State University study reported that one-third of four- and five-year-olds in the U.S. would give up their relationships with their dads in favor of TV.That's scary evidence of television's power. I believe God wants us to rule over this twenty-first-century monster.
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