Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" [NIV].
If you want to receive from God, you must ask Him. The Greek word for "ask" in Matthew 7:7 is aitĕō, which means "to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require." It is interesting to notice the varying degrees of intensity implied in that list. If you think about it, each word fits nicely within the list of words in defining the Greek word for "need" from Philippians 4:19 (see Devotion #104).
The Greek word for "given" in Matthew 7:7 is didōmi, which means "adventure, bring forth, commit, deliver, give, grant, receive." When I read those words, I was impressed with the implication of time. Sometimes the result of the promise, "Ask and it will be given to you..." is instant; sometimes it takes much longer; sometimes it comes with an "adventure," usually a faith adventure.
Yesterday, we looked at 4 principles of asking. Let's review them and see if we can make a spiritual connection to each one:
1) Ask as if you expect to get it. That is an excellent way of pointing to the important concept of asking in faith. Matthew 21:22 says, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
2) Ask someone who has the authority to give it to you. Remember our previous verse, Philippians 4:19? Look at the last part: "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Ask God, in the name of Jesus.
3) Ask in a way that is clear and specific. In Luke 18:41, Jesus asks the blind beggar who had cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" the following question, "What do you want me to do for you?" Did Jesus not know the man was blind? Did Jesus not know what the man wanted? Of course Jesus knew the man was blind, and He knew the man wanted to see, but Jesus asked him the same question He asks you today, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man answers Jesus' question by responding, "Lord, I want to see." That is clear and specific.
4) Ask repeatedly. Unless what you're asking for is clearly stated in God's Word as God's Will, you should be persistent. In Luke 18:1-5, Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow, who kept coming to the judge to plead for justice. The purpose of this parable, according to Luke 18:1 is "to show [His disciples] that they should always pray and not give up" (NIV). [Note: Information added in brackets by author, for clarity.]
Prayer is powerful, but God can do nothing until you ask. This has been His "track record" since the Book of Genesis. In the secular world, sometimes you don't ask because you're afraid of rejection. You deny yourself, when you do that. Someone once said, "Some will, some won't,...so what!" Reject rejection! In the spiritual realm, "...You do not have, because you do not ask God" (James 4:2, NIV). If you do not ask, it won't happen.
What this has to do with weight loss: I have opportunity to talk to various people who are on the weight-loss journey, and their needs are many. More times than not, after listening to their situation, I will ask, "Have you prayed and asked God to help you with that?" More times than not, their answer will be, "No, I haven't thought to do that yet." You can almost hear, "I could have had a V8!"--the commercial. If you haven't asked God to help you, why don't you do that now, and be sure to listen for the answer and His help for your situation.
Confession: According to the promise of Matthew 7:7, I ask in prayer, in faith believing that "it will be given to [me]."
Friday, October 16, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #106 [Phil. 4:19--What next?]
Philippians 4:19 "My God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Amplified Version).
Our every need is supplied by God, and since God lives in the supernatural, His provision comes from the supernatural. Since we live in the natural, we tend to look to the natural for provision. Our challenge is to allow our supernatural Heavenly Father to intervene in our natural circumstances.
One of my majors in college was Business Education, and I learned the importance of asking, whether one is an employee or a CEO. I learned that there are 4 principles of asking:
1) Ask as if you expect to get it.
2) Ask someone who has the authority to give it to you.
3) Ask in a way that is clear and specific.
4) Ask repeatedly.
Does God want us to ask Him for provision? After all, He knows everything. He knows what we need, so we should merely sit back and wait for Him to provide, in His sovereign will and timing. Right? Wrong. How do I know that? Let's look at the verse on which we will focus for the next few days.
Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you" (NIV).
When I read that verse about a week ago, I saw a principle of provision from the very mouth of Jesus Christ:
Ask
Seek
Knock
We will continue to look at the principle of asking. Until next time, be thinking of how that involves prayer, especially in your own life.
What this has to do with weight loss: Whatever needs you have on your weight-loss journey, consider asking for help. Too many are too proud to ask for what they need. Not only are there people around who can help you, there is Someone always near, to whom you can go and express your needs. He has all the answers.
Confession:
God wants me to ask Him to supply my need. Therefore, I will learn to pray and ask my supernatural Heavenly Father to supply my natural needs.
Our every need is supplied by God, and since God lives in the supernatural, His provision comes from the supernatural. Since we live in the natural, we tend to look to the natural for provision. Our challenge is to allow our supernatural Heavenly Father to intervene in our natural circumstances.
One of my majors in college was Business Education, and I learned the importance of asking, whether one is an employee or a CEO. I learned that there are 4 principles of asking:
1) Ask as if you expect to get it.
2) Ask someone who has the authority to give it to you.
3) Ask in a way that is clear and specific.
4) Ask repeatedly.
Does God want us to ask Him for provision? After all, He knows everything. He knows what we need, so we should merely sit back and wait for Him to provide, in His sovereign will and timing. Right? Wrong. How do I know that? Let's look at the verse on which we will focus for the next few days.
Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you" (NIV).
When I read that verse about a week ago, I saw a principle of provision from the very mouth of Jesus Christ:
Ask
Seek
Knock
We will continue to look at the principle of asking. Until next time, be thinking of how that involves prayer, especially in your own life.
What this has to do with weight loss: Whatever needs you have on your weight-loss journey, consider asking for help. Too many are too proud to ask for what they need. Not only are there people around who can help you, there is Someone always near, to whom you can go and express your needs. He has all the answers.
Confession:
God wants me to ask Him to supply my need. Therefore, I will learn to pray and ask my supernatural Heavenly Father to supply my natural needs.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Thriving In a Season of Chastising, Part III
This is my second post for today, but I wanted to post the notes from today's Beth Moore's study on Life Today, "Thriving In a Season of Chastising" (part III). I encourage the reader to read each scripture reference.
What happens when we cause our suffering, our own consequences? We're full of regret. How do we deal with that? Nothing is more complex than that, when old consequences go on after you've been healed. What do you do then?
You may be dealing with consequences from sin, pride, self-righteousness, a poor business or financial decision, going ahead when "something" told you not to, an infidelity, etc. What should you do?
Know your place in God and in the Body of Christ. Hebrews 12:5-13. Endure hardship, even though it's hard. It's a part of Fatherly discipline, and it is for your good.
Hebrews 12:15. Don't miss the Grace of God! Even though it's your own fault, there's Grace for you.
Remember the difference between consequence and chastisement:
Consequence: the natural order of God as boss (you reap what you sow; it's the same for the believer and the unbeliever)
Chastisement: God's supernatural order as Father (His Abba love for you, His favored child)
When we allow God to overtake our consequences, they become part of a teaching process.
Psalm 103:10-13. God doesn't treat us as our sins deserve. God only allows the consequences to come to pass that will teach us. It is never correction for the sake of correction. It is not punishment. It will teach us. The consequences help us know that this isn't where we want to be. They help us get to the place where we're ready to change.
What makes a season of chastisement so difficult is that we have to accept our fault in the matter. We cannot "get on with it" until we do that. Hebrews 12:5b. God "rebukes" us. The word "rebukes" means to point out a fault. When He does that, accept it and learn from it.
What happens when we cause our suffering, our own consequences? We're full of regret. How do we deal with that? Nothing is more complex than that, when old consequences go on after you've been healed. What do you do then?
You may be dealing with consequences from sin, pride, self-righteousness, a poor business or financial decision, going ahead when "something" told you not to, an infidelity, etc. What should you do?
Know your place in God and in the Body of Christ. Hebrews 12:5-13. Endure hardship, even though it's hard. It's a part of Fatherly discipline, and it is for your good.
Hebrews 12:15. Don't miss the Grace of God! Even though it's your own fault, there's Grace for you.
Remember the difference between consequence and chastisement:
Consequence: the natural order of God as boss (you reap what you sow; it's the same for the believer and the unbeliever)
Chastisement: God's supernatural order as Father (His Abba love for you, His favored child)
When we allow God to overtake our consequences, they become part of a teaching process.
Psalm 103:10-13. God doesn't treat us as our sins deserve. God only allows the consequences to come to pass that will teach us. It is never correction for the sake of correction. It is not punishment. It will teach us. The consequences help us know that this isn't where we want to be. They help us get to the place where we're ready to change.
What makes a season of chastisement so difficult is that we have to accept our fault in the matter. We cannot "get on with it" until we do that. Hebrews 12:5b. God "rebukes" us. The word "rebukes" means to point out a fault. When He does that, accept it and learn from it.
Life Plan Devotion #105 [Philippians 4:19--Qualifications]
Philippians 4:19 "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus" (NLT).
There are 3 qualifications for experiencing the manifestation of the Philippians 4:19 promise in your life: 1) You must have a need, 2) You must know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and 3) You must be a giver.
Paul writes, in Philippians 4:15-18, to the church at Philippi, "As you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only, for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God" (NIV).
Paul had a need, and, of all the churches that Paul visited, the only church who met that need was the Philippian church. Because they were sowers, they qualified for the Philippians 4:19 promise. They were the only ones to partner with Paul, so they got all the blessing "credited to [their] [spiritual] account" (4:17), and any blessing credited to one's spiritual account will also show up as blessing in one's natural circumstances.
If you are a giver, a sower, out meeting the needs of the Kingdom of God, doing your best for God, Philippians 4:19 applies to you. If you're a giver, you'll be a receiver! Be assured, also, that when you give to others, it is "a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God" (4:18).
What this has to do with weight loss: There are many ways to be "a giver," while on your own weight-loss journey. Too often, we have tunnel vision; all we can see is the "pot of GOAL" at the end of the "not-so-rainbow like" journey. On your way to goal, look for ways to help others on their journey, and you will find that your own journey looks and feels much more like a beautiful rainbow.
Confession:
I look for opportunities to give, to sow, to meet the needs of others, and God is pleased to supply my every need.
There are 3 qualifications for experiencing the manifestation of the Philippians 4:19 promise in your life: 1) You must have a need, 2) You must know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and 3) You must be a giver.
Paul writes, in Philippians 4:15-18, to the church at Philippi, "As you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only, for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God" (NIV).
Paul had a need, and, of all the churches that Paul visited, the only church who met that need was the Philippian church. Because they were sowers, they qualified for the Philippians 4:19 promise. They were the only ones to partner with Paul, so they got all the blessing "credited to [their] [spiritual] account" (4:17), and any blessing credited to one's spiritual account will also show up as blessing in one's natural circumstances.
If you are a giver, a sower, out meeting the needs of the Kingdom of God, doing your best for God, Philippians 4:19 applies to you. If you're a giver, you'll be a receiver! Be assured, also, that when you give to others, it is "a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God" (4:18).
What this has to do with weight loss: There are many ways to be "a giver," while on your own weight-loss journey. Too often, we have tunnel vision; all we can see is the "pot of GOAL" at the end of the "not-so-rainbow like" journey. On your way to goal, look for ways to help others on their journey, and you will find that your own journey looks and feels much more like a beautiful rainbow.
Confession:
I look for opportunities to give, to sow, to meet the needs of others, and God is pleased to supply my every need.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #104 [Philippians 4:19--all your need]
Philippians 4:19 "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" [NKJV].
Yesterday, we looked at the phrase "shall supply," how that God will "'fill to the full' your every need" (Amplified Version). No matter the need, no matter how big it is or how seemingly insurmountable, God will do His part if we do our part.
Philippians 4:19 says that "God will supply all your need..." How many of your needs will God supply? All, and "all" means ALL. Meditate on that, and remember, if you do your part, God will do His part.
Notice that Philippians 4:19 says that "God will supply all your need..." The Greek word for "need" for this verse is chreia, and it means "employment, affair [as in business matter], occasion, demand, requirement, destitution, business, lack, necessity, need, use, want." Look at that list! There is everything from a "job" to a "want."
As lovingly as I can, I must say to you that God has promised to "supply all your need," but not your greed. You and I may disagree over what is a true "need," but God looks past the need to your heart's condition and motivation. We'll visit this more in the future.
"God will supply all your need according to His riches in glory..." The Greek word for "riches" for this verse is ploutos, and it means "wealth (as fullness), money, possessions, abundance, riches, valuable bestowment." Sometimes Christians are uncomfortable with talking about God and money, but there should never be a poverty mentality in the family of God! He owns it all, He wants to bless His people in every way, and He desires that His people become a blessing to others and be highly effective workers for His Kingdom.
The Greek word for "glory" for this verse is doxa, and it means "dignity, glory, honour, praise, worship." The Strong's Dictionary of Bible Words defines "glory" as "glory, brilliance." If a Christian is experiencing lack, would that add to or detract from God's dignity, glory, honour, praise, worship? Think about that, and we will revisit it in the future.
"God will supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." There are 3 qualifications for experiencing the manifestation of the Philippians 4:19 promise in your life: 1) You must have a need, 2) You must know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and 3) We'll look at #3 tomorrow, so be sure to come back then.
What this has to do with weight loss: Since God has all "riches in glory," it is easy for Him to supply your every need, even the practical needs on your weight-loss journey. Even if you are on a seemingly tight budget, He will provide for your supplements, all that you need to be healthy in body. If you are His child, trust Him to do so.
Confession:
When I have a need, I will bring it to the Lord. I know I can, because I am His child.
Yesterday, we looked at the phrase "shall supply," how that God will "'fill to the full' your every need" (Amplified Version). No matter the need, no matter how big it is or how seemingly insurmountable, God will do His part if we do our part.
Philippians 4:19 says that "God will supply all your need..." How many of your needs will God supply? All, and "all" means ALL. Meditate on that, and remember, if you do your part, God will do His part.
Notice that Philippians 4:19 says that "God will supply all your need..." The Greek word for "need" for this verse is chreia, and it means "employment, affair [as in business matter], occasion, demand, requirement, destitution, business, lack, necessity, need, use, want." Look at that list! There is everything from a "job" to a "want."
As lovingly as I can, I must say to you that God has promised to "supply all your need," but not your greed. You and I may disagree over what is a true "need," but God looks past the need to your heart's condition and motivation. We'll visit this more in the future.
"God will supply all your need according to His riches in glory..." The Greek word for "riches" for this verse is ploutos, and it means "wealth (as fullness), money, possessions, abundance, riches, valuable bestowment." Sometimes Christians are uncomfortable with talking about God and money, but there should never be a poverty mentality in the family of God! He owns it all, He wants to bless His people in every way, and He desires that His people become a blessing to others and be highly effective workers for His Kingdom.
The Greek word for "glory" for this verse is doxa, and it means "dignity, glory, honour, praise, worship." The Strong's Dictionary of Bible Words defines "glory" as "glory, brilliance." If a Christian is experiencing lack, would that add to or detract from God's dignity, glory, honour, praise, worship? Think about that, and we will revisit it in the future.
"God will supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." There are 3 qualifications for experiencing the manifestation of the Philippians 4:19 promise in your life: 1) You must have a need, 2) You must know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and 3) We'll look at #3 tomorrow, so be sure to come back then.
What this has to do with weight loss: Since God has all "riches in glory," it is easy for Him to supply your every need, even the practical needs on your weight-loss journey. Even if you are on a seemingly tight budget, He will provide for your supplements, all that you need to be healthy in body. If you are His child, trust Him to do so.
Confession:
When I have a need, I will bring it to the Lord. I know I can, because I am His child.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #103 [Phil. 4:19--shall supply]
Philippians 4:19 "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" [NKJV].
In Life Plan Devotion #102, we looked at the phrase, "My God" and how wonderful it is to know that He is your God. He is your source, not your job or your paycheck.
Philippians 4:19 says that "[Your] God shall supply all your need..." [Note: Pronoun changed by author, to directly address the reader.] That helping verb "shall" is so important. Other versions will say "will supply," which means the same thing. What a difference if the helping verb "can" or "might" had been used! Philippians 4:19 is a promise that God will supply your need. It goes beyond ability; it goes beyond possibility. All of God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen," so it carries a 100% guarantee. As long as we do our part and line ourselves up with God's Word, He will do His part.
"God will supply all your need..." The Greek word for "supply" is plērŏō, and it means "accomplish, fill up, make full, supply." The literal meaning is "to cram a net, to level up a hollow" (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance). Think about that, until you get a mental picture.
The Amplified Version of Philippians 4:19 is, "My God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." The addition of "fill to the full" comes from Joseph Thayer's A Greek-English Lexicon.
What is your need right now? Is it physical? Is it emotional? Is it mental? Is it spiritual? Is it material? Whatever your need, God desires to fill it to the full. A song just came floating through my mind, "There is no problem too big God cannot solve it. There is no mountain too tall He cannot move it..." (He Will Carry You).
Tomorrow we will look at the group of people Paul said qualified for this Philippians 4:19 promise. It is a key part in the "your part" of the promise.
What this has to do with weight loss: Whatever you need, to be successful on your weight-loss journey, God desires to supply it.
Confession:
My God will supply all my need, as I line myself up with the principles in His Word.
In Life Plan Devotion #102, we looked at the phrase, "My God" and how wonderful it is to know that He is your God. He is your source, not your job or your paycheck.
Philippians 4:19 says that "[Your] God shall supply all your need..." [Note: Pronoun changed by author, to directly address the reader.] That helping verb "shall" is so important. Other versions will say "will supply," which means the same thing. What a difference if the helping verb "can" or "might" had been used! Philippians 4:19 is a promise that God will supply your need. It goes beyond ability; it goes beyond possibility. All of God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen," so it carries a 100% guarantee. As long as we do our part and line ourselves up with God's Word, He will do His part.
"God will supply all your need..." The Greek word for "supply" is plērŏō, and it means "accomplish, fill up, make full, supply." The literal meaning is "to cram a net, to level up a hollow" (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance). Think about that, until you get a mental picture.
The Amplified Version of Philippians 4:19 is, "My God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." The addition of "fill to the full" comes from Joseph Thayer's A Greek-English Lexicon.
What is your need right now? Is it physical? Is it emotional? Is it mental? Is it spiritual? Is it material? Whatever your need, God desires to fill it to the full. A song just came floating through my mind, "There is no problem too big God cannot solve it. There is no mountain too tall He cannot move it..." (He Will Carry You).
Tomorrow we will look at the group of people Paul said qualified for this Philippians 4:19 promise. It is a key part in the "your part" of the promise.
What this has to do with weight loss: Whatever you need, to be successful on your weight-loss journey, God desires to supply it.
Confession:
My God will supply all my need, as I line myself up with the principles in His Word.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Thriving In a Season of Chastising, Part II
This is a continuation of last week's Beth Moore Bible Study from Life Today. I encourage the reader to look up every Bible reference.
2) Others are affected by our consequences. It’s difficult for those we love, for those who love us. We’ll have either one of two reactions. We’ll either go through denial (“Let’s just not talk about it”) or despair (spiral down). Once people realize you’re sorry, they’ll let you off the hook. If they do not, that’s not their job (to make you more miserable), so you just give them to Jesus, because once you repent, you’re clean. Believe God to work it all together for good. If you despair, the enemy wins.
3) The length of time the process can take. Hebrews 12:11a. “Later on” can sure feel late. Heb. 12:12-13a. “Strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees…make level your paths.” Jesus comes to redeem and restore. Full redemption. If the enemy gets you to say, “I’m done,” he’s won. The word “weak” can be translated “paralyzed,” and sometimes that’s how we feel, but Jesus says, “Rise up and walk with me through this.” We can know Him through times like these.
Job 4:3-5. Sometimes trouble comes to us after we’ve helped others, but then we can’t deal with our own trouble. When you think you’ve had it all together, it’s hard to handle trouble and consequences.
4) The embarrassment of some of the consequences. When you have a secret area out of control, God will whisper, “I’m warning you. This is about to get ugly.” Persistent secret sin will become public consequence, eventually. It’s His mercy, because it forces us to change.
How to get through this victoriously? Deal with it! Trust God to work through it with you.
1) Don’t take it lightly. Take it seriously. Hebrews 12:5a. Fear God. That fear is a good, healthy respect. God permits, persists, or ordains all things. Matthew 5:29-30. This is a radical physical expression used to convey a spiritual truth. Sometimes something in our life just has to GO! It’s a radical process of radical decisions. Determine that it’s not for you, and cut it off!
2) Others are affected by our consequences. It’s difficult for those we love, for those who love us. We’ll have either one of two reactions. We’ll either go through denial (“Let’s just not talk about it”) or despair (spiral down). Once people realize you’re sorry, they’ll let you off the hook. If they do not, that’s not their job (to make you more miserable), so you just give them to Jesus, because once you repent, you’re clean. Believe God to work it all together for good. If you despair, the enemy wins.
3) The length of time the process can take. Hebrews 12:11a. “Later on” can sure feel late. Heb. 12:12-13a. “Strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees…make level your paths.” Jesus comes to redeem and restore. Full redemption. If the enemy gets you to say, “I’m done,” he’s won. The word “weak” can be translated “paralyzed,” and sometimes that’s how we feel, but Jesus says, “Rise up and walk with me through this.” We can know Him through times like these.
Job 4:3-5. Sometimes trouble comes to us after we’ve helped others, but then we can’t deal with our own trouble. When you think you’ve had it all together, it’s hard to handle trouble and consequences.
4) The embarrassment of some of the consequences. When you have a secret area out of control, God will whisper, “I’m warning you. This is about to get ugly.” Persistent secret sin will become public consequence, eventually. It’s His mercy, because it forces us to change.
How to get through this victoriously? Deal with it! Trust God to work through it with you.
1) Don’t take it lightly. Take it seriously. Hebrews 12:5a. Fear God. That fear is a good, healthy respect. God permits, persists, or ordains all things. Matthew 5:29-30. This is a radical physical expression used to convey a spiritual truth. Sometimes something in our life just has to GO! It’s a radical process of radical decisions. Determine that it’s not for you, and cut it off!
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