Quote of the Day 6/2

"Some people think God does not like to be troubled with our constant coming and asking. The way to trouble God is not to come at all." ~ D.L. Moody

Maybe this month we will just have “Wisdom from Moody” posts! He was an amazing man who was so close to God, and had influenced literally millions for Christ, and yet was so humble. He was a man of prayer. If you read his biography, and you should, another thing that stands out to you is how real God was to Him. He talked to God the way that you and I talk to each other. It was not a “long-distance relationship.” Moody knew God!!! Many of us know God as a father, but few know Him as a Friend…Moody did.

When you get that close to God, you learn more about Him than you would have otherwise. Our relationship with God is cultivated the same way that any other relationship is…by spending time with Him. Perhaps the best way to get to know someone is by talking with them. We talk to God through prayer. What is prayer? The word “pray” literally means, “to ask.” Dr. Jack Hyles, and Dr. John R. Rice both used to say that when you are praising God, you are not praying. When we gives thanks to God, we are not praying. When we are just talking with God, we are not praying. Why not? Because prayer is asking! Why is that important?

God loves it when we praise Him…thank Him…love Him…etc., but do you know what He loves even more? When we ASK HIM FOR THINGS!!! Isn’t that hard to believe? Isn’t it hard to imagine that God actually LOVES IT when we ask Him for things that we need! God is not perturbed by our prayer, He cherishes it! God is not disgusted by our needs and wants, He wants more than anything to fulfill them!!! “How do you know Zack?”

1 Thessalonians 5:17  Pray without ceasing.

Eph 6:18 - “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,”

Notice, God did not say, “Praise without ceasing.”, although we should. He did not say, “Thank me without ceasing.”, although we should. The God of Heaven has COMMANDED you to ASK all day long!!! He LOVES it when you praise Him, but He loves giving you what you need more! He loves it when you thank Him, but He loves it most all of when you get down on your knees and say, “God I need this, and YOU are the ONLY ONE from whence it can come!!!” God loves that!!! Isn’t that wonderful??? Isn’t that exciting? Just to know that God sits on the edge of his throne in Glory and looks down and says, “I can’t wait for Zack to ask me for something today!!! I am so exciting about fulfilling my child’s needs and even some of his wants!” You say, “Why is God that way? It just doesn’t make sense that He actually LOVES it when we beg Him for something!” He loves it when we ask because…

…we are His children.

 

Romans 8:16 - “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”

I am not a father, but I will be someday by the grace of God. Ask any father if he loves it when his children need him, and what will he say? “It is the joy of my life to give my children what they need and even what they want.” I can’t imagine what it would feel like for a little brown headed boy to run up to me and say, “Daddy, can I have ____.” I have no doubt in my mind that for the first few years of the guy’s life, I would spoil him rotten!!! I would give him whatever he wanted!!! How does it feel, Dad, when you son/daughter comes up to you with a need and ASKS you to fill it? You love it don’t you? How much more, does God love it, when His children come to Him on bended knee and petition Him for something they need? Oh, God does not look at you and say, “Oh great, here comes Zack again!!! I’ve had enough of this! That’s the third time this morning!” NO NO NO!!! God says, “Look!!! Look!!! Here he comes again! He NEEDS ME!!! I wonder what it is this time!!! Yes, Zack, bring me ALL your care! Bring me ALL your burden!!! I want to give you everything you need!”

Isn’t that encouraging? I have caught myself many times apologizing to God for asking so much of Him, but…He loves it! He wants it more and more! Let’s go to Him oft’. Ask of Him more. And Praise Him for all He’s already done.

Thank you God!!!