Thursday, May 23, 2013

By: Brandon Bilbo

I Want That Bag

James 4:2-3 And yet the reason you don't have what you want is that you don't ask God for it. And even when you do ask, you don't get it because your whole motive is wrong -- you want only what will give you pleasure.

Little Suzie begged her parents for a new bike, but because she had been misbehaving, they refused. She contemplated praying about the bike, but she realized that God was probably not pleased with her actions either. So, instead, she took matters in her own little hands. She stole a statue of Mary from one of her neighbors and wrote God a note, "Dear God, I have your mom. If you ever want to see her again, give me a bike."

Obviously, this is a joke, but I am sure we could all relate to times of desperation in prayer or times that we have tried to manipulate the situation to get what we want or need.

With that being said, there is a principle that we will extract from James 4 to make sure that our prayers have more of an effect (without the use of hostages).

In James 4:1-2, James starts by addressing ways we try to get what we want and actions that drive our attempts: jealousy, envy, lust, adultery, and even murder (it's interesting how the Bible is still so relevant to our society today). He then brings us to our point at the end of verse 2: we don't have because we don't ask GOD for it.

My little boy, Maddox, was with my mom one day, and he told her he wanted M&M's. She pulled them out of a bag and gave them to him. Then she got fruit snacks, a coloring book, and a toy all from the same bag. Finally, Maddox looked at his grandmother and said, "I want that bag!"

Philippians 4:6 says that we are to make our petitions known to God. In other words, ASK! Too often, we try to figure everything out first, and THEN go to God LAST in desperation. However, He has the bag of everything you need at hand!

I challenge you today that when you ask, don't just ask for the M&M's and the fruit snacks...ASK FOR THE ENTIRE BAG! Ask GOD to give you everything you need.

Dear Lord, forgive me for the times that I tried to figure things out in my own strength without seeking you FIRST. You know my desires and my heart. Please let Your will be done in my life.

I also thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.