By Ashley Thomas If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. John 14: 14
__________________________________ Just Ask! One of the things I feel we find most difficult to do is to ask. It is one of the most basic skills in survival, one which we learn to use from early childhood. When you think about it that little children rarely have a trouble with asking for things, and the irony is that in most times they get what they ask for. Somehow, we unlearn this as we learn to exercise independence. While this teaches us how to help ourselves - there still remains areas of need. The question remains: how do we meet those needs, when we do not have the necessary tools, resources or guidance? Our Lord taught his disciples a very childlike principle when He said, "whatever you ask in my name - I will do it". Our minds have great difficulty grasping such simplicity. Being the extreme people that we are, we have a tendency to swing from both sides. We either start asking for a lot of things to fill our lives with or we go the other way and begin to ask small because of fear. Either way, we learn that God is never manipulated into doing anything for us. Yet God wants us to ask, and if we understands His character that He is just, merciful and good - there is nothing that you and I must earn to get His help. The key for us lies with knowing His will - and that is not always obvious to our natural mind. Our natural mind asks for things in accordance with what seems best for us. However, we don't always receive what we ask, for one of two reasons -let me explain. We ask amiss that is we are only interested in consumption. Lust is like that ever wanting to be consumed. God seeks to change that behavior because that is the exact opposite of His character and nature. When we ask based on lust, God knows that this desire is most harmful and knows the damage that it will do to us, if we got what it is that we want. Our Father gives to us what serves our best interest eventhough we think we know better. Many today, are living for consumption and the flesh always craves for more. The other reason we don't always receive is because we are not prepared for what it is that we are asking for. The children of Israel for example being enslaved in Egypt wanted freedom from oppression. God knew that Egypt was not the only hindrance in their lives. When they were led to the wilderness, the bible speaks about their doubts and murmuring against the character of God. That has been man's great hindrance, an evil heart of unbelief. God must therefore orchestrate circumstances in our lives where this issue must be dealt with ever so severely. Regrettably many fail during such times of adversity and they never get to see the promise. Let me say this that God never gives anything simply but the manner in which we are trained is in simplicity. Trust and obedience to God is the only confidence that we must demonstrate. If lust is what we are after, then we can find it easily and satisfy it, if we are willing to plunge into the very depths of sin. However sin, is a master and a great oppressor so that you will do that which is unspeakable and against your will. On the other hand if your asking is without this motive of consumption, God will grant your request but you must be prepared to face your giants. The pressure will be on and the temptation to question God's character and the great sin of unbelief will be brought to the fore. Yet the one who is willing to endure such discipline only inches his way to the fulfillment of the promise. This is the kind of mindset that belongs to an overcomer. Are you asking God for something today? Can you say that my motives are pure and clean? If your answer is 'yes' then God says in His word that He will do it. May that be the encouragement for our souls. Remember in God's mind it is only a little while before you see it. You just need to have patience and a willingness to trust Him all the way. Amen! Ashley Thomas http://www.ariseshine.org.au is the lead pastor of an emerging church in Brisbane Australia and is the writer of Praise The Lord It's Friday a weekly article of life and encouragement. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ashley_Thomas http://EzineArticles.com/?Just-Ask&id=226411 ambien online cheap
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