Ask God For It

Scripture:
Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV)

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Devotional:

Ask for anything and it will be granted.  At least that is what people want to read.  We tend to believe that this is a blank check and can ask for anything at all.  In Philippians 4:6 we are told to make known our requests.  In Matthew 7:7 it says “Ask, and it will be given to you…”  Jesus himself said ask and it will be given.  So why are so many things we ask for not given?  Why do we read what we want to and not what is really there?  I have heard and read that if we want to be given what we ask for it must be asked within the scope of His will.  Hmmm, doesn’t sound like a blank check to me.  I can’t just ask for anything at all and expect it to be granted.

Another way to look at this is a parent with their child in the grocery store.  How many times does a child ask a parent for that candy bar or toy trinket at the checkout counter?  Do parents always give their child what they want?  But of course, mom and dad want the best for their child and want their child to be happy.  When asked for that candy bar at the checkout line sometimes mom says no.  Sometimes she says yes.  Then there are times when mom says I will buy the candy bar but you must wait until later to eat it.

While we can ask Jesus for anything and it be given he isn’t a genie in a magic lamp to grant us or every wish.  He wants what is best for us.  Our parents have a bigger picture than a four-year-old child.  Jesus has a bigger picture than we do.  Mom and dad know more and have more wisdom than we did at four or five.  God knows more and is far wiser than we can ever hope to be.  We can ask in confidence.  We can be at peace knowing God knows best and will provide for us.  He will grant us what He knows is best.  We should also be grateful and thankful, even before asking, for God’s gifts, blessings, and provisions.  Let us rejoice in the Lord.  Let us rejoice knowing that we will not get our every whim but be given that which we need and that which will glorify Him.  God does give blessings beyond needs, just not our every whim and want…

Where is Your Residence?

Scripture:
Philippians 3:18-21 (ESV)

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Devotional:

Robert E. Lee was asked to join the Union Army during the Civil War.  He felt compelled to refuse and instead he joined the Confederate Army.  It is my understanding that the reason he joined the Confederate Army was because his home state was Virginia, a southern state.  Prior to the Civil War the state a person was from had meaning and was a large influence.  Even today we place a large influence in our home and where we live.  I was born in Tennessee and grew up in Chicago.  Even though I now live in Georgia Chicago and Tennessee hold a special place in my heart.

As Christians, our real home is not on this earth.  It isn’t a state or country.  Too often we forget where our home really is.  Too often we get caught up in worldly things.  We lose sight of our true home.  Our loyalties and priorities shift.  We return to the world we left after we became part of the Body of Christ.  Our focus can easily sway from what is important.  We begin to live once again as men and women of this world.  

What is the best gift in all existence?  The answer is an easy one, salvation.  It is a free gift, even though the price is extremely high.  Grace is freely given.  Once accepted our true home is no longer this world.  Our real home and final destination becomes Heaven.  Think of the last vacation you went on that you really loved.  You loved the location, the atmosphere, and the environment.  You just loved everything about it.  When you got back home what did you do?  If you are anything like me you began to share the experience with everyone you know.  You talked about how wonderful it was and how much you want to go back.  Heaven is a thousand times better than the best place any of us has ever been to or seen.  So why don’t we get as excited about it?  Why are we not sharing it with anyone and everyone?

Remember our home really isn’t somewhere on this planet.  We might have an address that we live at.  We might call a state or country home.  We might live in our favorite city, but none of these are home.  In the end our final destination, or true home lies in one of two places.  Mine is in Heaven.  Where is your permanent residence?