ASk and ye shall receive?

​Our 10 year old niece just started school this week. She said "I need to get good grades in school, then I can get into a good college and then I can get a good job, and then have money to eat. If I can't eat, I'll die"  Well, she has the right idea! - We have to work hard in school, to get a good education, to have a good career, to have an easier life financially. Sometimes our path can be a little less traditional, but as long as it's through God's will, we will receive everything we need. 

​Anything we do, even starting out as a child,
we have to be good in order to get dessert,
do our homework in order to play with our friends. These are the simple things our parents ask of us. God is our father, and Jesus is our brother. If it works the same way with them, we can't expect to not strive to live a righteous lifestyle and then pray and ask for things and have them dropped on our doorstep. God is not a genie.  If life doesn't work that way here on earth, then why would we think it works that way in heaven with prayer? 

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Then how does it work? 

Matthew 7:8 says "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened" 

God wants to give us everything that will help us live the best life possible, but our asks must be in line with God's will for us. 1 John 5:14 'If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."

Matthew 21:22 "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." 

Of course God wants to give us everything that will help us live the best life possible, but our asks must be in line with God's will for us. Even with these conditions, God's will for us will never disappoint us. Having faith that God's will for us is the best plan for our life is the first step.

If we have done nothing for his people, and have lived our lives selfishly, how can we ask for help with anything in our lives? If your child (or when you were a child) were constantly fighting, getting in trouble in school, not doing chores or homework, and then went to your parents and said "I want an x-box, or more allowance, etc." Your parents wouldn't get those things for you, because you're not acting the way they expect you to act. These are the lessons we learn as we grow up.  

God is our ultimate Father. He expects the best from us and longs to help us, but it is all based on our free will.

Know that sometimes there are beautiful life events that honor him, such as a marriage or a child. Sometimes they can be difficult for us - such as a failure that humbles us or a physical weakness or personal loss that makes us more dependent on him. But the outcome of God's will for us, no matter how challenging it may seem in the short term, has a greater, larger purpose for our good and for the good of others. 

EXAMPLES OF GOD's AWESOME PLANS - MORE THAN YOU COULD IMAGINE - 
​THROUGH ADVERSITY: and he has that waiting for you too (see prayer at the end)

Joseph: vision of his family bowing before him - it meant he would be divinely placed to save Isreal as a family and future nation. His siblings mis-interpreted his dream which caused envy and jealousy, tried to kill him and then sold him into slavery. He found a nice job, and worked for a man who's ambitious wife requested his attention. After Joseph rejected her,  the wife charged him with sexual harassment and he was wrongfully put in Jail. 

Joseph interpreted the Pharaoh's dream, and then was put in charge of his palace, and all his people would respect Joseph's orders. 

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The man who created the Make A Wish Foundation, had an abusive mother, and very hard childhood. The challenges he went through as a child, shaped his heart and prepared him for his purpose to create the world's leading children's charity in the world, in over 50 countries, with over 32,000 volunteers, with over 334,000 wishes granted.

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ASK GOD WHAT HIS WILL IS FOR YOU, and he will show you. God is waiting for you, eager to show you and give you his love.

Psalm: 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you"

YES you are THAT special! We are all are. God has given each and everyone of us unique gifts to help make this world brighter, and more filled with his love. 

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, I come to you to ask you what your will is for me in my life? Guide me in the path that you have chosen for me. Allow me to be the beacon of your light and your love here on this earth.

I know I call out to you when I am in need, or lost, or in search of what I think is the right path in this life. I ask you Lord to please put me on the right path, if the one I am currently on is not in your will, please let me know.

I am learning that your will for me is THE ultimate path for my life. You have created me, and put hopes and dreams in my heart that I have come to forget, or think are no longer possible.

I pray for you to reignite my belief, my faith, the light in my soul, so that I may continue to grow in your will and your love. With these asks, I know you will strengthen me to help those around me.

I claim victory in my ask with you. May the blood of Jesus protect my words to you, and help me to see your countenance in me.

In Jesus name, I pray,
Amen.