Ask!

MATTHEW 7:7-8 NIV 7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

In Matthew 15:22-28 a woman came to Jesus making a request of Him. Jesus' answer was basically that she was asking for something that did not belong to her, because she did not have a covenant with God.

Yet she asked -- and received! She didn't just beg. She worshiped Jesus and appealed for mercy. She didn't claim she deserved the answer -- but she did ask.

This is one of the secrets of life. Ask! It works with God and it works in our relationships with people, too.

Ask questions. And ask for help.

Pride can prevent us from asking. Pride tells. Humility asks.

In marriage many people are unhappy. Yet they don't clearly communicate to their spouse what it is they would like. Don't nag! But respectfully and lovingly ask for what you desire.

Make your requests known. People can't read your mind. (God knows our thoughts, but still tells us to ask Him for what we need or desire.)

PHILIPPIANS 4:6 NKJ 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

Many people stumble through life disappointed that God has not given them more. One reason may be because God is waiting for them to have enough faith to ask Him for His help.

I don't mean we should act like a beggar. But be bold in asking for what you need or desire.

We may hold back from asking because we think we don't deserve good things. Probably true! But Jesus deserves good and He died so we could receive what He deserves. Jesus took what we deserved so we could have better.

MATTHEW 21:22 NIV 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

JOHN 16:24 NIV 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

JAMES 4:2 NLT 2 You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can't get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it.

Jesus said to ask. Actually, it is a command. Ask!

SAY THIS: I will obey God's Word and ask.