Ask and Receive

What a wonderful God we have!  What wonderful promises fill the pages of the Bible!  When we read such promises, we sense a world of power flowing strong just beyond our reach.  The Lord is that river. He controls the forces and is reaching out to us.  He is offering us to share in His glory.

It is pleasing to contemplate that the blessings are ours for the taking. All we need to do is ask, and it will be given.  If we look, we will find.  If we knock, the doors will be flung open for us.

Hooray!  Hallelujah!  Start the celebration! Bring on the gifts!

Or wait!  Just what is it that we are talking about?

Does this mean that if we want more money, all we´ve got to do is ask for it?  Does this mean we can get out of some situations we got ourselves into?  Is there something that we desire really badly?  Does this mean our dreams will come true for the simple price of asking?

The final and ultimate prize is intimacy with God. When we go to the Lord and get some by-product, the temporal gift is not all we could receive. Those who look beyond our needs and desires here on earth, will seek the One above. We burn for eternal things. These will not be disappointed.  God will give Himself to those who ask for Him as their treasure.

Dear Jesus, we know that You are happy to answer our prayers.  We know You are kind and giving, but show us what to pray for. Instead of praying for the things of this world, let us ask for more of You. We pray for Your presence with us now.  Draw us so close to You that we find all we could ever hope for.  Give us our heart´s desire! Give us You; we pray! Amen

Psalm 73:25-26 ESV / Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Philippians 3:7-8 ESV / But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Isaiah 33:5-6 ESV / The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness, and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.

Matthew 6:19-21 ESV / “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV / And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.