James Macdonald Prayer Know You Are at Work in Our Lives Even When We Dont See Your Hand

Today's Scripture:  Isaiah 46:8-11

8  Recollect this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.  9  Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, ten  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from aboriginal times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will practise all my pleasure:  11  Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I accept spoken it, I volition also bring it to laissez passer; I have purposed information technology, I will likewise practise it.

Introduction:

Yesterday's bulletin was a marathon wasn't it?  I know it was long, but man I call up nosotros got some expert stuff said to united states.  I'chiliad well enlightened of the fact that I've had a lot of stuff to say that's not all sweetness and rosy, merely how many of you know…some times what God has to say to us isn't e'er sweet and rosy.  We always take to remember what the Word of God says about itself:  "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is assisting for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may exist perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."  2 Timothy three:16-17.

Friends, the Discussion of God is assisting, merely we take to be willing to take it all in.  The stuff nosotros like to hear, and the stuff that'due south non quite and then easy to hear.  It's easier to hear to that nosotros're the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, but it's not so like shooting fish in a barrel to hear that we're treating God like we're ashamed of Him…is it?  But that'southward the truth, friends…that'southward exactly how we treat God.

So…the weekend is over and it's time to get back into the business of writing these messages.  So…without any further delay…hither nosotros become with the fifth message in this serial.

Today's Message:  "God's Insurance"

You know, can we stay on the point I was making in the introduction for a moment.  I can't seem to become away from this point that we're treating God like we're ashamed of Him.  Heed, we all know what Jesus said about us existence ashamed of Him before men…He'll be ashamed of us earlier His Father.  How many of you lot know that when He says ashamed of u.s.a. before His Father…He's talking about the day we stand before God at the Great White Throne.  I don't know almost yous…simply I don't desire Jesus to have whatsoever reason at all to be ashamed of me on that day…Amen!?!

Well…let'south move on and get into today'southward message.

I believe that God answers every prayer. Just it's crucial for the states to recall who we're talking to in prayer. We're not giving God orders and He'southward not at all hesitant about the style He answers.

I like the point James makes here in making sure that when we pray…we demand to remember Who it is nosotros're talking to.  We're not talking to our boss, our parents, or even our spouse.  We're talking to the very person responsible for giving and taking away the very jiff nosotros take in our bodies.  We don't even take life without Him waking us every morn, and I recall that we every bit Christian's as a whole have forgotten Who it is we're seeking the face of.

Every bit a former United States Marine…I promise you lot that at no time practice you observe a private giving the Commandant of the Marine Corps an order.  Yet, you find baby Christians basically trying to "lodge" God to practise things in their lives the way they want information technology…and have no want to practise anything God'south manner.  I can tell you that if you lot don't want to do things in the Marine Corps the fashion they wait information technology to be washed…you lot won't take a very long career in the Marines…and when it'due south over you'll have no one but yourself to blame.

It'due south the same matter with God.  We give Him this laundry listing of things nosotros expect Him to do for us on our terms, and when He doesn't do them nosotros blame Him for non honoring our shopping listing.  However, the signal of what'south being said here is that God's not obligated to practice anything beyond what He's already provided for united states through the Cross.  We are told to come to Him in faith.  How many of united states actually do that?  Even I don't ever come to God in faith, and I accept seen Him do things in my life.  I've learned to end asking if God tin can and volition…because in all reality He has already washed it.

The first reply is "Yeah." That's the most frequent answer yous become to prayer. I have never asked for strength and not received it. I take never, ever prayed for wisdom and not received information technology. But I take often not prayed for wisdom and regretted the decisions that I made. When I've applied James 1:5 and recognized my lack of wisdom and asked God to supply, He has delivered! Most biblical praying receives an immediate "Yeah."

The reason we don't receive the immediate "aye" is considering of what I was getting to just a moment ago with the context of my ain prayer life.  Nosotros demand to become to a place where nosotros're no longer asking if God can or will, only thanking Him that He'south already done what nosotros're asking Him for.  Information technology applies to strength, wisdom, healing, deliverance, and certainly more than…merely that signal is…I believe when James talks nearly asking "amiss" it'southward not because God is deaf to our sin, simply information technology's because He is deaf to our unbelief.  When we arroyo God without religion…James says that nosotros shouldn't await to receive anything.  So…while the religious will tell you the reason God doesn't answer our prayers is considering God's deaf and cannot hear us over the sin in our lives…it's the Bible that says that God volition non bless unbelief.  Let Him enquire in FAITH…nothing wavering considering those who waver are double-minded.

Friends, I'thou convinced if we approached God more by thanking Him for what He's already washed, and that He'south already provided whatever it is we're seeking from Him…we'd get more results from our prayers…because Faith is the substance of things hoped for…the show of things unseen.  We're asking for what we don't see, but our faith gives united states of america the substance to be able to take God at His Word…that whatsoever we should inquire in the name of Jesus…He has already done.

God's 2d reply to prayer is "No." That'south why James 4:2 says, "Y'all do non have considering you exercise non ask." But the only time you lot get a "no" is if you pray for stupid stuff or if y'all pray for practiced stuff with a timeline. I have plant God very unresponsive to my ultimatums. God doesn't respond to blustering, bluffing, or threats. If we're praying foolishly, we'll get a "no."

James says that we have not…considering nosotros ask not.  The other reason we don't receive what we're asking for is because nosotros don't ASK.  Nosotros tell God that He needs to bless the states with this, and give us that…on OUR terms.  I am in full agreement here.

Listen…as a former Marine.  I wouldn't dare walk into the Commandant of the Marine Corps office, and demand anything from him…ever.  Not that I'd ever be able to walk into his office anyways, only that's not the point.  The point is…who do we think we are to need anything from God?  Yes, we can approach His throne with boldness and confidence, and information technology'southward as well truthful that we accept a right when it comes to sure things like healing (things that God'due south provided through the Cantankerous) and to pray in Jesus' proper name…only God'southward under no obligation to do anything considering we throw tantrums, issue Him ultimatums, see our timelines, or ask for foolish things similar a winning lottery ticket.

And…I just finished saying information technology, merely I feel information technology necessary to repeat that when the Bible talks about "asking amiss" it's non because God'south deaf to us because of our sin.  Listen, I don't know how many times I'grand going to have to repeat this betoken, simply if God'southward no longer counting our sins confronting usa…then this talk in pulpits about God being deaf to us because of sin in our lives is just religious talk for we don't actually have organized religion to believe that God will provide what we ask for…so we hibernate our unbelief by sounding spiritual and holy…when in fact…the only thing we actually sound like is a bunch of people who don't really believe that God is willing and capable to answer our prayers.  Nosotros take non because we ask not because nosotros believe our sins are what'south keeping God from hearing information technology when the truth is the but thing that keeps God from hearing our cries is the fact that nosotros don't believe He will hear and reply us when we call.

It's Non sin that keeps God from being able to practice things in our lives…information technology's our unbelief…and until we become to a place where nosotros have more organized religion that doubt…then we can dress it up in all the religious sounding stuff we can…the truth is…God cannot hear usa because nosotros don't believe He's listening…when the Bible tells us that God'southward ears are attentive to our cries…but every bit long every bit y'all proceed to hide your unbelief in religious mumbo jumbo nearly how unholy you are…and how much sin God's holding against you…maybe y'all ought to have some time to read two Corinthians 5:18-19…then ask God to forgive yous for harboring unbelief.

But if I'thou praying co-ordinate to God'southward will, entrusting my future in God's hands, He has a third selection: "Wait." The only thing between you and the delayed "yeah" is fourth dimension. How ofttimes do nosotros forfeit our "delayed yep" through doubt? God has fabricated promises about a lot of stuff, only He retains the sovereign choice of timing. So we pray unceasingly, and we await patiently.

This is the identify where many of us struggle.  When God doesn't meet our demands immediately.  Information technology may be that we accept to believe God for something for some time, but that doesn't mean He's said no…it's quite possible He's said "wait".  Information technology may be that what we're request for we're non mature plenty to handle yet or that He'south got something fifty-fifty better in listen.  What ever God'due south reason for wanting us to wait…it'south His reason…and there'southward no praying until something happens (Push button).  Listen…I remember information technology's admittedly foolish and a waste of time for usa to get God to change His mind or agree with us considering we believe we're right.

Permit me say this as clearly equally possible.  There's never…ever a time when we are or have more wisdom than God does.  At that place's never…always a time when we're going to know what'due south best for united states or our lives…because there's never…ever a time where we're going to be able to see a full picture of our lives.  All we see is what's in front end of us at the moment.  We have no idea how what we might be seeking God for is going to affect us six months later…or even 6 years later…or half-dozen minutes later.  That is why when God says to "wait" the Bible has some very interesting things to say.

And let u.s.a. not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians vi:9

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not exist weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah twoscore:31

The point here is that waiting for God's answer is some times inevitable.  I know that in this microwave civilisation we want what we want when we desire it…and we desire information technology now.  However, God's not obligated to operate on our time-table at all.  He's got all of eternity to make decisions, simply He'due south e'er going to make the decision that's best for us…when information technology's all-time for us…and never before.

I used to hate it when I'd hear people say the one-time cliché: "God's never late, and He'south never early, but He's ever on time.".  I said I used to hate it…until I realized it's the truth.  God's timing is always the right fourth dimension…it'south always the perfect time…and therefore when it comes to waiting upon an answer from Him…I've learned that I need to only ask…and permit it be.  I don't need to constantly remind Him that I asked Him for a better job…I just believe that there'south going to be a better door open up some where when God's fix for me to motility on from this one.  I likewise have to be able to understand that God has me exactly where He wants me at this point in my life…and if He wanted me some where else…I would be.

Y'all run into…when I take my restrictions off of God, and allow Him to be God…then I'grand never actually disappointed when things don't happen when I call up they should.  I've learned to put consummate trust and faith in Him that whatsoever I shall inquire in Jesus' name…information technology volition be done for me.  Still, in that location are times when He's not going to give me what I'm asking for because I either don't really believe He will or He doesn't believe what I'm request Him for is going to benefit me…or help me to bring Him celebrity…which is e'er His ultimate goal for all of us.  I as well accept to understand that sometimes whatsoever I ask in Jesus' name it will be done correct away.  Nonetheless, I've also come to sympathize that whatever I may ask in Jesus' name will be done, but when God says it's the right fourth dimension for it to be done.

Either way…I've learned to believe and trust that any I ask in Jesus name not simply can and will be done, but it already is.  It's not upward to me to know God's methods and timing…it's up to me to have faith, trust, and believe that His decisions are always going to be in line with what He knows is best…fifty-fifty when it comes to waiting or not getting what I've asked for at all.

The important affair is to never stop asking…because in all reality James is right.  The reason we don't have is because nosotros don't ask…and I don't know about you…only I have missed out on plenty.  So…I'grand gonna enquire from now on…and go out the results to Him…Amen!?!

Determination:

I promise that this message has been a approving to yous, and maybe helped to encourage you.  I know information technology's hard to look upon God.  I believe the hardest answer God gives me is the "wait".  I can accept when God says "no" that's it'southward considering what He's saying "no" to is for my own good.  Obviously, information technology's skillful to get a "yeah".  However, some of the greatest things I've received from God are those things that He'southward given me the "await" reply…and information technology's also the answer I struggle with the most.

I'g no dissimilar from anyone else.  I yet desire what I desire from God right now, but that's not how God operates.  I told you lot that I however tin can come to God with the perhaps's, could yous and would you…instead of thank you in accelerate for answered prayer.  I'm  not perfect, just I'one thousand learning more and more than to give more and more to God…and trust Him with the results…because in all reality…He'southward always going to provide meliorate results than I am…even if His answer is no.

What do you need from God?  Inquire Him.  Maybe it's something that volition come correct away.  Mayhap it'southward something that He'll say isn't right for y'all.  Peradventure information technology'southward something that He'll say isn't right for you lot correct now…but whatsoever information technology is…just ask…and leave the results to Him…Amen!?!

Let'due south Pray:

Father, I don't want to derail Your promises by my doubts and impatience. Cheers for reminding me that Your timing is perfect, that Your ways are right, and that Your plans are always best! Help me to keep returning to Your promises and resting in Yous as I wait to meet Your answers to my prayers. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Source: https://christlikeministriesnwa.com/2012/11/10/authentic-prayer-from-james-macdonald-day-5-of-7/

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