November 5 Confidence 1 John 5:14
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1John 5:14)
There is the idea, floating around “Christendom” that God is like a Jack in the Box, ready, at the turn of a crank, to pop-up and grant the slightest wish or desire. Guess What? It doesn’t work like that! Our God does hear and answer our prayers, when we are in “HIS WILL!” When I was a child, I would want something, usually a selfish want, and I would pray that God would fulfill my desire. So, it was never fulfilled!! I asked my mother about this, and she chuckled and told me that I was asking wrong! What? Asking Wrong! What do you mean? I want, so I ask! Really simple, yet no results, unless you call nothing, a result! Mama told me that I needed to pray in God’s will! How do I do that? She lovingly told me that, as I grow in His Love, through Jesus Christ, I would begin to understand His will and I would begin to seek those things that would bring Glory and Honor to His Name. What? So, I have to wait? Let me tell you the fact, I was expecting this prayer thing to be a bit like the Andy Griffith episode where Barney had purchased a kit that, supposedly, was controlled by Countess Von Deleckie, and would grant three wishes. Praise God, as I matured in Christ and as I intensified my prayer life, I began to understand that my prayers were not about what I would receive, but, was about Glorifying my Savior! Real Prayer is praying according to God’s Will and we know God’s will when we are growing in His Grace and surrendering our lives to HIS WILL! This realization has occurred, for me, by studying His Word and meditating on His Word. Now, as I pray, I want my will to be in harmony with His Will. Somewhere, within the plea to God, I include, “If it be Your Will!” I finally understood what Mama was saying, when she told me that “I was asking wrong!” Growing, Learning, Believing, Practicing what I have Learned, has brought me to the point where I ask the Holy Spirit to direct and guide my prayer life and to clearly reveal what is His Perfect Will. Bottom Line: I now, approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence! Confidence means boldness and a Freedom to Call on God, in His Will, to accomplish His Will and for His Glory! When you are aware of His Will, you can come boldly and confidently to Him with the needs that you have, both personally and for others. When we are operating in His Will, the desires, the prayers, the needs, suddenly and amazingly become about Glorifying Him and not ourselves! Confidence is a glorious by-product of, Growing in the Grace and Knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ! STUDY, READ, PRAY, PRAISE, PERFORM… What God does with you, is entirely, up to you!! It always has, and it always will! Stay Strong, Stay Focused….Remember, THE BEST IS YET TO BE!