The Father's Gift

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
A Family Reunion

Matthew 7:7-12  The Message

^7-11 “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?
¹² “Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.

For Reflection 

Although we have plenty of requests for things that we would like to have granted, we are stumped when what we ask for does not seem to be granted.  God knows that sometimes what we ask for is not in our or the Kingdom's best interest.  The heart of the matter is God gives us what we need, not necessarily what we want. 

It isn't a bad thing to ask God for favor.  All prayer brings you closer to a right relationship with God.  Ask to be relieved from debt and you will find opportunities to accomplish that goal.  God is not a genie in a bottle who fulfills every self-indulging desire.  God will help you live a righteous fulfilling life.  God will place good things in your path.  Pray and listen for the God whispered responses.

Pray

pray, taking all things to God.  Pray with out reservations.  Pray for God's intention for your life to be fulfilled in obedience to God's holy place for you.