Eternal Bride: You Have Not Because You've Asked Not

If your children ask for a fish, which of you would give them a snake instead?

Or, if your children ask for an egg, would you give them a scorpion?

Even though you are bad, you know how to give good things to your children.

How much more your heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

Luke 11:11-13

A father takes care of his children. A father loves his children. Let me be the first to say God is a good Father; if fact, he's an amazing Father! He sees us, hear us, and knows us. He longed to be so close to us he even sent Christ to die on a cross that sin would no longer separate us from him. In Luke 11, we are the children that ask our heavenly Father for things. God is not one to give us a snake or scorpion. He wants to give us blessings and prosperity. He wants to answer our call and be our biggest support.

Sometimes in life, things happen that make us doubt God. We feel that God has let us down or given a burden to bare. That's quite opposite. God works in the most mysterious of ways. The enemy works in the most ruthless of ways. When you let him slip past one wall, he can spread like a disease; filling us with doubt, disbelief, or even anger towards God. But God, so patient and loving, can take what the enemy intends for harm and make it good. You lost your job... you slipped up this week... you're not beautiful at all. Quit fixing your eyes on the circumstances around you and put them on the One who can change them and see our situations with a heavenly perspective. Just Ask. Ask him, pursue him, pray to him, simply just talk to him! You can't complain if you haven't asked. Don't work against him. God wants to bring joy into your life. Continually seek until you find what you're looking for. And even when find what you're looking for, don't stop just because you've obtained what you need. He's worthy to be praised always whether the circumstances around you are valley lows or mountain highs.

Don't be afraid to ask God for whatever it is that you need. Whether it's a need you want, help you seek, or even coming to him on behalf of another, ask him. We have not because we've asked not! What kind of Father would God be if he would not respond to his children? He loves us deeply enough that he is moved by our prayers, pleads, and cries for help. He is touched when we seek him genuinely for his help.

In that day you will not ask me for anything.
I tell you the truth, my Father will give you anything you ask for in my name.
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.
Ask and you will receive, so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.

John 16:23-24

And this is the boldness we have in God's presence:

that if we ask God for anything that agrees with what he wants, he hears us.

If we know he hears us every time we ask him,

we know we have what we ask from him.

1st John 5:14-15

Recently our church had our women's conference, DESIGNED FOR LIFE! It was an amazing weekend and so many lives were transformed! The theme was She Is the Revolution. We were all charged to be the revolution and change the world around us. Worship was incredible, the speakers were anointed, and the presence of Holy Spirit was so thick in that place it was undeniable. I was so thankful to be a part of it in any way I could. What a privilege to serve at James River Assembly and to take part in this historic weekend. I only pray that what God did in the lives of the women there continues to grow as they went back to their homes.