TOPIC: BECAUSE YOU ASK NOT
MEMORISE:
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24
READ: John 20:5-13
5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
MESSAGE
James 4:2 reveals why some Christians still suffer from lack. Do you know that if you ask God to end lack in your life, He will grant your request? In today's Bible reading, Jesus fed thousands of people with five loaves of bread and two fishes. By the time everybody had been fed, they still had 12 extra baskets. When God provides for your needs, He gives you more than enough to satisfy you. Your big request is a little thing for Him to fulfil.
Years ago, I travelled to London on an official assignment, and three days before my return, I had run out of money and needed £50 to buy some books and tapes. I turned to God, "Daddy, it would be good if 1 could get £50." Shortly after, my phone rang. The fellow on the line said, "Biyi?" I told him there was nobody with that name where I was, and as we talked, he got to know who l was. Excitedly, he called out to his brother, telling him that he was speaking with me. Apparently, they had been discussing how they could see me, and I was on the phone with them. Eventually, they came over, we talked, and as they were leaving, they gave me £50. Immediately they left, I said, "Daddy, if 1 knew it would be this easy, I would've asked for £100."
As I rejoiced over the £50, the doorbell rang, but before I got to the door, an envelope had been slipped under the door. I opened it and realized it came from a wealthy man who had never given me a dime before. Inside was £50 and a note saying, "I just felt like giving you some money." Then, I told God that if I had known that another £50 would come, I would have asked for extra £50. That night, before l slept, someone gave me another £50! I became afraid and told God that I was only joking and didn't want to offend Him. God reminded me of this incident recently and told me l had been foolish. "If you asked Me for £50 and I provided it, why didn't you ask for £5,000".
Beloved, find out God's will concerning your needs and ensure your requests are in alignment with it. Stop complaining about lack in your life; rather, ask God to meet your exact needs. Do not waver in faith, and He will surely answer you.
ACTION POINT
Ask God to provide your needs according to His will and believe that He is able to fulfil them.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 9-11
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 27: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
2 Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
3 Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge--
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
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