Ask: March 21, 2013

TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY MARCH 21, 2013.

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. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:9-10.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

In the verse above (Luke 11:9) we are taught 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 already knows what we want and what we need? Many people ask this question. God wants each of us to ask because 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.

Many people just do not want to ask someone, let alone God, for anything because of pride. Unfortunately, many want to feel self-sufficient and do not believe they need any help from 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.”

Today one of the most important lessons we can learn from the scripture is that God expects us to ask Him for help when we are in need.

People often feel that God does not answer their prayers. In John 14:14, Jesus says we may ask for anything in my name and He will do it. So then why doesn’t God answer every prayer? We must consider the qualifications that Jesus says must accompany our prayers. We must make our request in His name. This means that what we ask God for must not be contrary to God’s nature and righteousness. God will not answer prayers that are not according to His will and that will not bring honor and glory to God. Another qualification to receive answered prayer is that we must believe we will receive what we ask for.

Jesus own words to us are, “whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matthew 21:22. 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.

There is no request so big or so small that we cannot bring it to God. The Lord wants us to pray about everything. Paul assures us of this in Philippians 4:6 when he says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

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, then we will receive God’s answer according to God’s perfect will.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in John 4:35.

Do not say there are still four months and then comes the harvest. Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for the harvest.

PRAYER:

Open my eyes today to the reality that all I have to do is ask. You desire to meet all my needs. 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. May I proceed today by faith that only You can give me.