Ask - Believe - Receive

“You do not have because you do not ASK God.”James 4:2

Are you turning your tests into testimonials? Did you get up this morning singing like the birds? “Have you trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? You should never be discouraged—Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can you find a friend so faithful, Who will all your sorrows share? Jesus knows your every weakness; Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Is Jesus your friend? Perhaps I should ask you to define friend. What is a friend to you? Do you want a person in your life that you only talk to and they silently listen? Someone that says just what you want them to say, never correcting or challenging you? Do you want to have the only voice in the conversation? I think sometimes that is how we act. Let me do everything my way and everyone should agree with it as wonderful, without any need for change or improvement.

Is there room for pride in a friendship? Self indulgence? All about “me” world?

Jesus’ first sermon, “Blessed are the poor in spirit; those who mourn; the meek; those that hunger and thirst for righteousness; the merciful; the pure in heart; the peacemaker; and the persecuted.

Is Jesus your friend? Because if He is your friend, you have to be still and listen to His voice and His teaching.

Why do we desire friendships? Truly not because we want everything our own way even though we may act that way. Everyone needs to be needed!! We want fulfillment because God designed us with a purpose in mind and He equipped us with all the skills needed to accomplish that purpose.

BUT…we must listen to the one who designed us, learn from Him, ASK Him questions. “How can I be the salt of the earth?” “How can I take light into the darkness?” “Can I be a vessel of healing? How?” “Am I prideful Jesus?” “Does this job keep me from serving my God first? “Is my health being compromised by my activities?” “Can You, Jesus help me through this test and/or trial in my life?”

What questions are you afraid to present to Jesus, your friend? He says, “Come to Me ALL who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”Matthew 11:28 “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.”Matthew 7:7-8 To the blind man, Bartimaeus Jesus said, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Once you ask can you believe to receive? When the father brought his son possessed by a spirit to Jesus to be healed, he asked Jesus “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“IF you can?’” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”Mark 9:23-24

Jesus tells the disciples they have so little faith, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”Matthew 17:20-21

But where is your faith falling? Is it falling on your own abilities to believe or is it falling on the fact that you believe in God, the one true God that created ALL things. How big is your God? Can you believe that the one that created you can also heal you? Can your God truly be your friend and help you in all things and through all things?

But you have to be willing to receive and take the blessings He gives you. If you have your hand closed tight and I am seeking to put something in your hand, you will not receive it because your hand is closed tight. The same is true of our hearts; we must be willing to have our hearts open to receive His blessings. That includes allowing Jesus in to be a true friend that will correct, discipline, and make whole.

Father, thank You for Jesus, our best friend! Help us to have pliable hearts that can be formed full of holiness that we may act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You all the days of our life! In Jesus name we pray! Amen