Day One: Every One that Asketh, Receiveth.

Beloved, Grace and Peace be multiplied to you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. Today, January 5th, 2014, we embark on our fast. This is a time when we begin our year acknowledging that God is our source and to him do we ascribe credit not only for success in the year to come but thank him for mercy for the year we have just come through. Today we begin to seek direction, ask our questions and try to understand his will for us for this year. Take the time to thank God. Honestly, we have a lot to thank God for. Be honest, you have some achievements that can only be God and he deserves your praise. LORD, Thank You! Now for a strategy for this fast and this year. Jesus gives us a paradigm that is tested, tried and true. Let’s look at the scriptures.

Matt. 7:7 ¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Matt. 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Christ tells us to ask, then tells us why we should. Simple. During this fast, we should ask him for what he wants from us but also what we are praying for. Jesus tells us to ask. When we ask we should expect the next clause to be as true as the instruction. If we Ask, then we should expect, “and it shall be given you”. That alone should dictate our actions and expectation. But I want to leave you with this reassuring word. Jesus gives us something in this passage. He gives us the assurance that this has work before. But not only has it worked before, but it has worked CATEGORICALLY! He says in verse 8: For EVERY ONE that asketh receiveth. It is unwise, not logical and unreasonable to assume that all of Holy Writ is true except when it comes to you and this passage. Here is what you should begin to believe. I will receive what I ask God for. Undoubtedly, there are levels we have not dealt with, such as, every things we do as believers should be commensurate with our values, our faith. So no Christian should be asking God for something un-Christian like. We ought not to ask for things God says are not right, we should be as Paul says “imitators of God”. With that said, you have some needs you would like to deal with. Here is your word for the day. Ask God, because every one that asketh, receiveth.

What would you ask for, if you knew that what you asked for, you would receive?

Remember, take one day at a time. Drink all the water you can. Pray, and make a list. Pray with understanding and with a purpose. Just do today, do not think of the entire journey. You can do this. Also, I know your first Sunday of the year was awesome and that your worship was rewarding. With that being said, start to plan now and make plans to bring someone to church with you. God wants his house filled. He told us that. (Luke 14:23)

Yours Because I am His,
Leo Colon
pastor@ihpfwc.org
www.ihpfwc.org