Dearly Beloved,
ASK AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door
will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and
to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8 NIV).
The principle of asking and receiving was demonstrated recently in my home. My
children and I were having our breakfast. The bottle of sugar was by my side of
the dining table. My daughter wanted to add more sugar to her meal. She knew
that I might hinder her from taking more sugar. Initially, she was looking at
the bottle and me. I knew her intention, but I wanted her to express it. After
some time, she summoned the courage to ask for it, and I willingly gave her some
of the sugar.
Many times, we are reluctant to make known our requests to God. It is a fact
that as the omniscient God, He knows what we need before we ask Him (see Psalm
38:9; Matthew 6:8, 32; Luke 12:30), but He wants us to ask Him. In fact, Jesus
Christ categorically told His disciples, “Until now you have not asked for
anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete”
(John 16:24 NIV). However, many people keep silent, or continue to complain or
suffer instead of freely asking from their heavenly Father.
God is ready to do anything we ask according to His will, provided we ask Him.
Joseph M. Scriven in that popular hymn, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus,”
said, “What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a
privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O
what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in
prayer.”
This principle of asking and receiving is even applicable to human beings. Many
people will not give until one asks from them. Therefore, do not be afraid of
asking. You will directly or indirectly get any of these answers: “Yes, have
it,” “No, you cannot have it,” or, “Wait for some time.” You lose
nothing in asking, rather, you lose many things in not asking.
Ask and it will be given to you!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NBSome of you have known about my intention to soon publish a book on
ministering through the Internet. My vision about the ten-chapter book is to
give it FREELY to as many pastors and other committed Christians that have
passion for Internet ministry. Let me use this opportunity to (re)ask for your
financial assistance towards the project. Write me privately at
<spiritualdigest@...> for details. God bless you!
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
+234 805 515 9591
http://www.thewordthruthenet.org/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/
Visit and become a follower of http://thewordthruthenet.blogspot.com/
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will
have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted
in my body, whether by life or by death. FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST
AND TO DIE IS GAIN (Philippians 1:20-21, NIV).
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