TAMARA G JOINT

"For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened". Matthew 7:8. The tremendous resource of prayer is far too often neglected by far too many Christians. If nothing is standing between us and the Lord to keep us from asking effectively (sin, unbelief, selfish motives, etc.), then God has promised to act when we ask by giving us our request or something better. Note just a few of the many promises to those who ask: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you". James 1:5. "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. "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him". 1 John 5:14-15. "You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.". John 14:14. "And receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him". 1 John 3:22. "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”. Luke 11:13. "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you". John 15:7. Obviously, there are conditions. These marvelous promises assume that those who ask are abiding in His commandments, truly desiring His will, having His priorities, thinking His thoughts, and are asking in faith and in His name. (Days of Praise)

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you,you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you!". John 15:7 (NKJ). The precious promise in this verse has been an inspiration to the faithful down through the centuries. It becomes even more amazing when attention is paid to the original Greek language in which it was written. Abiding implies a close personal fellowship with someone; in this case, the personal, loving Lord Jesus: “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love” (v. 9). Such an abiding on our part will be evidenced by obedience, love for Him and for the brethren, and joy (vv. 10-14). Our minds and hearts will be in total harmony with His, guided by such a walk and His words. “You will ask” does not carry the proper force in English. This is a command in the imperative mode in Greek—a challenge, if you will. He challenges us to “ask what you will” (literally “whatever you desire”) and see Him faithful. Desire speaks of something different from need; indeed, it speaks of an “inclination”. He is not afraid we will ask for selfish inclinations, for if we “abide” in Him, our desires are His desires, and we will naturally ask for those things that glorify Him: “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (v. 8). Notice the word “done,” which in Greek stems from the word meaning “to come into existence.” God will answer our unselfish prayers, even if He has to transcend natural law or even create something to do so. He even challenges us to “ask” without hesitation, as implied by the Greek construction. If we meet the condition of “abiding” in Him, as a branch “abides” in the vine (vv. 1-5), He will place in us the desire to bring forth much fruit (v. 5) to His glory and to our everlasting delight. (Days of Praise)

"Then Paul and Silas were thrown into jail, and the jailer was ordered to guard them carefully. When he heard this order, he put them far inside the jail and pinned their feet down between large blocks of wood. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs to God as the other prisoners listened". Acts 16:23-25. In this world, we live every day with trouble (Job 5:7). How should believers in Christ cope with this reality? In Paul’s missionary travels recorded in Acts 16, God directed Silas and him to Philippi, where they found themselves beaten, tortured, and left for dead in a dungeon. Yet, they reacted to this trouble by singing praises to God! What enabled them to respond this way? The answer—they filtered their dire situation through two awesome realities found in Psalm 100: “Know that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep he tends. Come into his city with songs of thanksgiving and into his courtyards with songs of praise. Thank him and praise his name. The Lord is good. His love is forever, and his loyalty goes on and on". Psalm 100:3-5. The full verse of Psalm 100:3 reads, “ Know that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep he tends .” Paul lived life knowing that Yahweh was the potter and he was the clay, just an earthen vessel employed in the Lord’s service (2 Corinthians 4:7). Although Paul faced countless trials, he didn’t “fear” evil, for the Shepherd’s “rod and staff” comforted him (Psalm 23:4). Our Shepherd, like Paul’s, is a loving and caring Shepherd. (Psalm 78:13). Not only did Paul know that Yahweh is God, he also knew that “the LORD is good” (Psalm 100:5). God’s steadfast love motivates all He does. Both truths are preceded with the following injunctions to praise God: “Make a joyful noise” (v. 1), “serve the LORD with gladness” (v. 2), “come before his presence with singing” (v. 2), “enter into his gates with thanksgiving” (v. 4), and “be thankful unto him” (v. 4). Like with Paul and Silas in prison, praise and thanksgiving should characterize all believers who truly know that Yahweh is God and Yahweh is good. (Days of Praise)