Ask: November 30, 2010

Today's Word for Tuesday November 30, 2010

ASK

DEFINITION

Put a question to; interrogate; seek to obtain; request; invite; inquire about.

SCRIPTURE

"And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." Matthew 21:22

"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you." Luke 11:9

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

In the verse above (Luke 11:9) we are taught how to ask and seek. In the next verse (10) we are told that everyone who asks receives. Why does God want us to ask, when He knows what we want and what we need? He wants us to ask and seek Him so that we will recognize that He is the one who provides for us and that He alone hears and answers our prayers.

In Luke 11 (above) Jesus gives us a mini sermon to persevere and endure in prayer. We are to ask through prayer continually for what we need. But if God does not provide then we are to seek. And if seeking does not receive it then we are to knock and it shall be opened to us. The point Jesus is making is for us to pray continuously. The verbs ask, seek and knock are all continuous action words. The answer is assured. God will hear and answer the person who perseveres and endures in prayer. God answers the prayer of the believer, if his heart is in tune with God, in His way and in His perfect timing.

Many people just do not want to ask anybody for anything because of pride, let alone God. We should not let pride keep us from seeking God's help. Remember, Jesus says: "ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find."

In our consulting responsibilities with Christian ministries these past years we trained people how to "ASK" for help in supporting their ministries. Christian ministries are dependent on others to give of their time and money. Some people often complain that they receive too many requests for donations. Ministries are raised up by God to meet needs of people that are not being met by others. In order to exist, they must ask and asking for a legitimate need is honored by God. In fact, as the scripture says, we need to ask if we want a response. How is someone to know your need if you do not ask.

There are many situations in life where we need to ask for help. Families need to be willing to help others in need if God has blessed you. And families need to be willing to ask in their time of need. Remember there is a difference between asking and demanding. When asking for help the response you receive is affected by the way you ask. When you ask favors of people or when you just ask questions for informational purposes, learn to ask kindly, gently and with a loving tone.

Today the most important lesson we can learn from the scripture is that God expects us to ask so He can fulfill His plan through our life. We are to ask God for every thing we need. In John 11:22 it reads: "Whatever you ask of God, God will give you." Can it be said any clearer? In James 1:5 and 6, we are told that if we lack wisdom let us ask of God. Then it says we are to ask in faith with no doubting.

Our problem today is that we limit God in what He will do for us. We rely on our own wisdom and so often fail. When we ask in prayer, ask believing and ask in faith with NO DOUBTING, we will receive. But remember God will never give to us what is not good for us.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 10:13.

Whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

PRAYER

Open my eyes today to the reality that I need to see and practice by asking You for all that I need today. Help me to ask not only for the large issues I may face but for the small ones as well. Give me wisdom in all that I do and may I proceed today with the faith that only You can give me.