James 1:5-8
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
NIV Bible Gateway.com
If our loving, omnipotent Father really does desire to meet His children's needs, then why do some go unmet? Let's look at a few key reasons why we may lack essentials.
WE DON'T ASK. If this seems elementary, it is. And yet it's astonishing how many people fail to bring their concerns to God. Some say, "Oh, He has too much to do to worry about my little problems." Nonsense! Our Father is a very personal God, who cares deeply about everything that affects His children. In fact, Matthew 10:30 says He even knows the number of hairs on our head. So of course we should share with Him the details of our life.
WE ASK BUT DOUBT THAT GOD CAN OR WILL DO IT. It's a tragic mischaracterization to go before the omnipotent, sovereign God of the universe and essentially say, "You aren't big enough to handle my needs." James 1:8 describes such a person as "double-minded" and "unstable." When you approach God, do so knowing that He can meet your needs.
WE ASK GOD TO ADDRESS THE SYMPTOM, NOT THE REAL NEED. At times we pray and pray about something—a particular emotional pain, perhaps—without seeing any change.The reason may be that we are focusing on the symptom rather than the actual need. As you continue talking to the Lord about the situation, you may discover the root need is something you have not even considered.
The heavenly Father wants to meet all of your needs. If you cannot see Him acting on your behalf, be sure to take a critical look at yourself from His perspective. Then ask yourself, Is it possible that I could be standing in the way of God's intervention?
Stanley, Charles F. "Why Our Needs Remain Unmet." In Touch: Daily Readings For Devoted Living November 2016. Atlanta: In Touch Ministries. page 21.
Matthew 6:7-8
7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. NIV Bible Gateway.com
I [Dr. Stanley] remember once watching a mother and marveling at her mastery in handling several energetic young children. It was an amazing sight. It the midst of a whirlwind of activity, this seasoned pro intuitively met the needs of her kids. A meal was served, spills were averted, noses were wiped, shoelaces were tied, hugs were distributed—all at the same time! Clearly, such a parent knows the needs of her family, even when the children cannot express them.
Sometimes it is difficult for us to think of ourselves as children. When we see little ones running around, always needing something from us, we cannot imagine that we often look and act the same way, only in grown-up bodies. Fortunately, we also have a Parent who already knows our needs.And yet we frequently act as though we must explain every detail of our problems to the Lord so He can get a more accurate view of how to provide for us.
Isn't it strange? If you asked most Christians whether they thought God was all-knowing, they would respond, "Of course!" However, if you could listen in when they pray, you would probably often discover long, complicated explanations of why they need His help.
God does want you to talk with Him about what is on your heart. But at the same time, remember that "your Father knows what you need before you ask Him" (Matt. 6:8). Therefore, do not spend all of your prayer time repeating yourself or explaining everything in unnecessary detail to God. For a change, simply ask Hi to speak to your listening heart. Remember, He's already got the answer. Give Him the opportunity to share it with you.
Stanley, Charles F. "God Knows Your Needs." In Touch: Daily Readings For Devoted Living November 2016. Atlanta: In Touch Ministries. page 19.
Acts 16:31
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
NIV Bible Gateway.com
Do you ever wonder if faith in Jesus is really the only way to be saved? Satan is a crafty liar who will twist God's Word to cause confusion. In order to steer people away from following Christ, he tries to create the impression that eventually everyone will make it to heaven. But that is not what Scripture teaches.
The truth is, we can choose to reject the salvation that Jesus Christ freely offers. John's gospel tells us, "God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God " (John 3:17-18).
The Word of God clearly states that whoever believes in Jesus will be saved (John 3:16). The Bible also stresses that we make this choice during our earthly life - there will be no further opportunities once we die. So if you would like to be sure of your salvation, you can do so by inviting Jesus to be your personal Savior. God, who wants you to spend eternity with Him, offers compelling reasons to make this all-important decision: "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life" (John 3:36).
There are no more chances to place faith in the Savior after death. The free gift of salvation is available only in this life - and only through Jesus (John 14:6). Him now, and you will never have to wonder what awaits you in eternity.
Stanley, Charles F. "The Truth About Salvation." In Touch: Daily Readings For Devoted Living September 2016. Atlanta: In Touch Ministries. page 22.
