Ye Ask Amiss

"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."  James 4:3.  God allows us to ask.  As we ask, we have the expectation of receiving.  However, there can be improper requests and improper motives behind our requests.  One of the reasons that we may not receive from God that which we request of Him is because we have asked for the wrong reason.  To ask amiss is to make a request that is unsuitable.  To ask amiss can also be an evil request.  God is not going to answer such a prayer.  God insists that we do what is right and commit those acts and use His blessings which are give to us for His glorification.  We may ask of God certain things so that we can use those things for ourselves.  We desire those things for our own pleasure.  Prayer is not to be used for the purpose of bringing us all things that we want.  We, as God's children, are to learn contentment and be satisfied with those blessings which He so freely gives unto us.  Our life here is also to be for His service, and not our own.  To seek our pleasure, especially evil pleasure, is to violate the sacredness of our commitment to God.  We are to enjoy life because we are privileged to serve Him.  Prayer is to be a helpmeet in that service.  When our requests are made unto God so that we might better serve, He will grant those requests and we will receive.

Grace And Peace

"Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."  I Corinthians 1:3.  Gifts of grace and peace are freely bestowed upon the church of God.  What person does not need grace?  What person does not desire peace?  But, the world is without either.  The church of God is the recipient of such wonderful blessings.  Grace is a gift that cannot be merited, only freely bestowed.  God gives grace to His flock.  Such is the character of the heavenly Father.  His children are in constant need of grace.  Grace sustains in times when we might be enticed to wander.  Grace helps when we might begin to falter.  Grace guides when the light is dim.  Such grace can only come from God and the Lord Jesus Christ.  With grace, comes peace.  Peace comforts.  Peace calms.  Peace sees the future as enduring.  With peace, we can feel near to God.  With peace, we can know God as Father.  Peace will motivate our surrender to Jesus as Lord.  Grace frees our soul to seek a higher calling than our own.  Grace allows us to know God.  Peace leads us into the dim unknown without fear.  Grace and peace are our assurance of a relationship where we call God our Father and Jesus our Lord.

Hand To The Plough

"No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."  Luke 9:62.  Jesus is discussing discipleship with possible followers.  Those who become disciples of Jesus Christ choose to do so.  Jesus never forces individuals to follow Him.  The invitation can either be accepted or rejected.  But, careful thought should be given to the decision which is made.   One should not choose to become a disciple of Jesus, and after time, turn back from following.  One who puts his hand to the plough should understand what is before him.  Once the task is accepted,  a continuance should be made.  A row half ploughed is useless.  A job not completed fails.  Disciples who turn away from the task of discipleship are unworthy of the reward.  Simply because one may choose to accept discipleship does not mean that he will continue.  But, the disciple who does not continue is not going to receive the reward of discipleship.  Jesus is emphasizing continuance.  Jesus wants disciples who are committed to Him and to His work.  Ploughing is difficult labor, and so is discipleship to Jesus Christ.

The Wonders Of God

"Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things."  Psalm 72:18.  Indeed, God works wonders.  The mind of human intelligence is often unmindful of God's wonderful acts.  Rather than seeing God in the wonders of nature, many see an accident.  Rather than beholding the wonder of God's redemption for human sin, multitudes simply do not notice.  The sun shines and the rain falls.  The earth grows and produces.  And yet, the eye is blind.  Some see evil and blame God.  An accident befalls one and God is at fault.  But, oh, to behold His wonders is another matter entirely.  God receives little or no credit or thanks for the good.  A baby is born and we cannot comprehend such a wondrous creation.  A sinner is reborn and we cannot explain God's grace.  The wondrous acts of God are unfolded continuously.  The acts of God are wondrous for they cannot be performed by us.  Neither can our mind comprehend.  And, because of His wondrous things given unto us, God is to be blessed.  God is to be honored, and His praises sung.  God is God, and wondrous are His works.  And long may all creation give Him glory. 

Be Strong In The Lord

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."  Ephesians 6:10.  Strength is applauded and power is cherished.  The church is not to find strength and power in the world, but in the Lord.  Strength and power are vital in the Christian fight against evil and the devil.  The devil is an enemy that is cunning.  The devil can only be defeated with the help of the Lord.  The Lord's power and strength is not found in numbers or resources.  We surrender.  We commit.  We understand that the Lord's power can defeat all enemies.  The Lord's strength will always suffice, and with the Lord's strength comes victory.  The Lord knows no defeat.  The church must always rely upon this power.  The Lord's power is an unseen power and comes through our faith and trust.  Our engagement is not carnal, but spiritual.  To overcome, we must have a dependence upon the power that creates and destroys.  We must have a reliance upon the strength that builds up and tears down.  Take your stand against the enemy by being strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Men Pray Everywhere

"I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."  I Timothy 2:8.  God wills that we pray.  His ear is open unto the prayer of the righteous.  Through prayer, His help is made available.  God wills that the church everywhere pray.  His people are to call upon Him, and beseech Him for His goodness and for His blessings.  In prayer, we are to give thanks.  We are to be ever mindful that we have received from Him those gifts which are given by Him.  Prayer is a marvelous privilege that God has afforded unto His people.  But, there is a character of prayer that we must possess.  We are to have holy hands.  We are not to be defiled.  We must remove ourselves from the sinfulness of society, and seek the perfection of holiness.  Our lives are to be without wrath.  We must not have a heart of hatred that seeks vengeance.  We must love and forgive.  Our prayers are to be without doubt.  We must come to God in prayer with faith.  We believe that God is willing and able to give and do that which we request of Him.  Pray at all times and in all places with a character that is becoming our approach unto the Great God. 

We Must Repent

"And they went out, and preached that men should repent."  Mark 6:12.  Jesus has sent the twelve to preach.  Their message is the same message with which Jesus began His personal ministry--repent.  Repentance is the message of gospel preaching.  Repentance brings transformation in the heart and life.  God wants people to change their behavior.  Repentance turns one from sin unto God.  Repentance removes one from the activity of sin to the commission of righteousness.  Repentance changes the thinking, and therefore, changes the activities.  Repentance begins with regret over the life that is being lived and the course that is being followed.  One hears the gospel and understands the way of righteousness and godliness.  This message sets the mind to seeking right instead of wrong.  God is very merciful in allowing us the opportunity to repent.  Repentance comes because of God's grace.  Jesus has sent His messengers into all the world with the gospel of repentance.  The love of God and the sacrifice of Jesus call people everywhere to change their life.  We must repent so that we may live.