You Have Not

 
"You do not have, because you do not ask." James 4:2b, ESV

In my job I have authority to approve expenses for our organization. I often receive requests from employees for various items that will help them perform their job more efficiently or offer them some level of comfort while doing their job. I approve these purchases 99% of the time. I'm glad to do so. But today, after approving a purchase, it struck me that some employees seldom ask for anything. This got me to thinking about us and our prayer requests to God. How often is He willing to grant our requests if only we would ask? 

Today's prayer: "God, you are good and you give good gifts to your children. Help me to know when to ask. Amen."

Wear It OR Share It

"I was naked, and you gave me clothing." - Matthew 25:36b

I was listening to Beth Moore last night and she was talking about how she routinely purges her closet. If she hasn't worn something in a year she says out loud to herself, "Wear it or share it!" and then she donates the item to someone in need. She then went on to say that as the end of the year approaches and she discovers that some of her "treasured" items haven't been worn she will frantically try and wear them so that she can keep them. I had to laugh. We all do this. I know Beth was only talking about clothes but it got me to thinking about how we sometimes tend to bury our treasures at one time or another to keep from sharing them.

Today's prayer: "God, you have given me many treasures. You never intended me to hoard them. Help me to remember to wear them well and share them well. Amen." 

I Will TRUST, Even If

"They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever." - Psalm 125:1

When circumstances don't add up and life feels too hard; when miracles seem elusive like a butterfly; I will turn my face towards Heaven and cry: "You are God and You are good!" Just stumbled across this song and it sums it up:

Even If (Kutless)

Sometimes all we have to hold on to 

Is what we know is true of who You are 

So when the heartache hits like a hurricane 

That could never change who You are 

And we trust in who You are

Even if the healing doesn't come 

And life falls apart 

And dreams are still undone 

You are God You are good 

Forever faithful One 

Even if the healing 

Even if the healing doesn't come

Lord we know your ways are not our ways 

So we set our faith in who You are 

Even though You reign high above us 

You tenderly love us 

We know Your heart 

And we rest in who You are

You're still the Great and Mighty One 

We trust You always 

You're working all things for our good 

We'll sing your praise

You are God and we will bless You 

As the Good and Faithful One 

You are God and we will bless You 

Even if the healing doesn't come 

Even if the healing doesn't come

True Test

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my anxious thoughts: and see if there be any hurtful way in me." - Psalm 139:23

Francis Frangipane writes: "Most are content to pray the first part "Search me, O God" but the true test of repentance is when we then pray "[and] try me." You see, David asked God not just to forgive him, but to change him -- and then to test those changes with situations that previously triggered an ungodly response. In essence, he prays, "Lord, verify that the work You've done in me is deep and unshakable, that I am free even of an anxious thought about my previous sin."

Today's prayer: "Lord, how many times have I asked You to search me, identify my heart issues, and forgive me? I want to take it one step further and ask You to verify that the work You've done is deep and unshakable. I want to be free from even an anxious thought about my previous sin."