Asking God

Do you ever feel like God’s not listening? Do you find yourself praying less because you aren’t getting the results you were expecting?

With many ministers in America preaching a “name it, claim it” gospel we find ourselves expecting God to do things He never promised us to do. Because of our misunderstanding of the teachings in scripture we find our faith wavering sometimes. That is why it is imperative that we know how to dig into the truth in God’s word, and study it.

This truth is so important we must be willing to forsake everything in order to find it. Unfortunately we too often act like God is the one who is privileged to have us read His word, instead of the other way around.

Last week we studied Matthew 7:7 where Jesus himself said “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (NIV)

Using the tools we’ve been learning to use (the three questions and the blue letter Bible app) we were able to dog much deeper than we have before.

As we broke into groups to find out what Jesus really meant we learned how the Greek words were more intense than the English words they are translated into. For example, in English we often translate the word ask to mean to make a request, but in the Greek it means to beg, to crave or to require.

So when Jesus said “Ask and it will be given to you,” what He was really saying was “if you crave the answer, if you ask as a begger needs food, and ask as if an answer is required, then it will be given to you.”

Are you starting to see the difference?

We can’t be seeking a relationship with God like a guy who is dating three women. The women won’t put up with it, and scripture is pretty clear about those who chase after the world and God. In Matthew 6:24 Jesus plainly states “No one can serve two masters.”

Are you really seeking only God or is God an add on? Do you sacrifice everything to follow Him, or do you follow Jesus when it’s convenient?

Whether or not you have the answer to that question, come join us this Sunday as we continue to dig deep into God’s word, and learn how to apply it to our lives.

This week we will be talking about what it really means to know God.

I think you will be surprised.