Do you ask God to give you what you want, or do you ask God what He wants to give you?
Do you tell God what you want to do, or do you ask God what He wants you to do?
If you have been waiting for an answer to prayer, but you have not received one, maybe the answer was “no” because the question was off target.
In 2008, I wanted to write another children’s book. I prayed for weeks. I tried to write on my own. I never felt God was in anything I wrote. What I mean is that I never felt what I was doing was a God given direction. Ultimately, the next book God wanted me to write was not for children at all.
I encourage you to keep a prayer journal. I encourage you to write down the things that God tells you. If you write down the direction that God gives you, many times you will be able to look back and see how he brought opportunities your way to fulfill the plan He has for you. You will be able to see where God is leading.
Often times we will get stuck in a fog in life because we think we know what we are to do, but we forget to ask open-ended questions and to listen for direction from God. We can also suffer a bit from tunnel vision.
In my example, I knew I was to write. I just assumed it was a children’s book. Looking back, God had really given me direction that He had wanted me to extend beyond a children’s ministry. Nevertheless, I suffered from tunnel vision. My struggle to obey was with myself. We get in God’s way when we assume. Writing down what God gives you will help you see more clearly.
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
James 4:2-3
Sometimes we ask amiss because our motives are about us. Writing down what God gives you will help you to see where God is going and what God is doing. It will help you to stay the course and not get distracted.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9
Sometimes God may change our direction. Challenge your motives. Be sure you are not asking amiss. Be sure you are listening to the Lord.
LIFE APPLICATION
Key Focal Verse:
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Today’s challenge is to ask God to open your eyes to what He is trying to accomplish through you. Ask God to give you a clear understanding of that purpose. Be prepared to ask open-ended questions about His direction for your life. Do not assume you know any specifics. Wait on the Lord.