Encouragement
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ASKING TOO MANY QUESTIONS:
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On this morning, as I was getting ready to go out. I had been in prayer the whole time I was getting ready. As is my custom, I will get quiet to listen in case Father has something to say to me. After a bit, I’ll pray some more, get quiet and so on. It was while I was quiet that I heard the voice of the Holy Spirit say to me, “When are you going to stop asking so many questions and start praising Me for the answers?”
How many of you know that when you ask God to reveal truth to you, about you regardless of how painful it is, God has an attentive ear? It seems like of any other times, these are the times that He really listens and answers your prayer. Am I talking to anybody? I can promise that if you ask Him to reveal truth to you, He will take you at your word and answer your prayer. And probably a lot sooner than you’d like for Him to.
On this particular morning, truth was revealed to me that I can’t say I especially liked but it was truth I couldn’t deny. Nor could I make excuse for it. I was immediately convicted in my heart because I had allowed myself in a weak moment to do just as the Holy Spirit said. I was on a roll, asking the “Why” question over a particular situation in my life. And of course, following this you just have to know the “What, when and where along with it.”
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THE RIGHT HEART ATTITUDE:
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Once I had repented and asked God for forgiveness, He reminded me of the fact that He tells each of us in His Word to “ask” Him in prayer about things and for things. We’re also reminded to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and then the ‘things’ will be added unto us.” (Matt.6:33).
God does want us to come to Him to make our petitions and supplications known to Him just like He says. We’re told to “come boldly to the throne of grace where we can attain grace and mercy in our time of need” (Heb.4:15-16). While this is true, there is a right way and there is a wrong way to approach the thone of God. And how we approach God, of course depends upon right or wrong attitudes of our hearts that can be wrapped around the ‘asking.’
This is where we can get into trouble if our heart attitudes are not right. II Tim.2:23 says, “not to be asking foolish questions because they cause contraversy and lead to strife.” Also James 4:3 says, “You ask and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts (desires).” Can we be contrary to God and His Word when we’re asking our many questions? Yes, if we’re not asking from out of a sincere heart and we‘re being a hypocrite (insincere). Yes, if we’re trying to con God and treating Him as nothing more than a glorified errand boy who’s suppose to do our bidding. Yes, if we’re not asking out of a heart of faith and in reverence for God, our heavenly Father.
This can take you to Mark 11:24 that says, “What soever things you desire, when you pray (ask), believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.” We have to come to God in faith, believing that He hears and He will answer. When you rest in faith because your security is in God, what is there left to do? Pray a little but praise a lot!
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RAISE YOUR VOICE IN PRAISE!
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Begin praising God for the answer to what you’ve ask for in prayer according to His Logos and/or Rhema Word. From II Tim.2:23, it talked about foolish questions leading to strife. Can we be in strife with God because we’re asking all the wrong questions and seemingly, He’s not responding? Yes, we can be in strife with God but you have to understand this, it’s a one-sided strife. So, why bother even considering something that you’re bound to lose in?
I learned my lesson well on this morning. One I haven’t forgotten and one I incorporate into my daily prayer time throughout the day. God blesses obedience and I am blessed when I remember to do what He’s taught me that “in all things, give thanks; for this is the will of God concerning you” (1 Thess.5:18).
So, what do I do now? I say, “Lord Jesus, regardless of this or that circumstance, I’m going to praise you for the answer anyway, etc.” Now, as I pray the Word, I’m concentrated on the answer instead of rehearsing the problem by continually asking, “Why, what when and where?” My heart attitude now is thanksgiving and praise. Is it ever okay to ask the why, what when and where questions of God, our Father? Yes, it is.
It all depends on what our heart attitude is at the time we do the asking. Are we asking in such a way as to be “chewing out” God for not answering on our time table? It would be wise for us to check our attitude, is it one of humility and reverence of God? Are we asking in faith, or just merely complaining and blaming God that He hasn’t answered our prayer how and when we think He ought to?
If we ask in faith and then praise Him for the answer before we even see the manifestation of it, then our Father God is pleased. “For without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Heb.11:6). Are you needing to hear from God about a specific prayer you went before Him about but the answer hasn‘t come yet? Then, let me encourage you to pray the promise of the Word that best fits your situation, then begin praising Him right now. Give Him thanksgiving and praise today for the answer and get ready by earnestly intensely expecting to receive the blessing. Praise the Lord of glory!
Plain As Day Ministries
Shirley Williams
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I am so glad you said it was okay to question God. I find that I identify with those in the Bible who questioned. It reminds me that I am His child and as children we do question, as we grow we see the wisdom of our Father, but we are never too old to question. And He understands. I love that about God. He says in Psalm 139 He knows our every thought. I'm also grateful for His re-adjustments in our thinking!! (:)) Thank you for sharing this!
Excellent Shirley, a truth I knew but have not been doing as i should...thank you! rick
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