God Answers Prayer

Verses for Study: Luke 11:1-13

We as Christians are expected to pray. As in any relationship it is important to talk (and to listen) to the one that we are in a relationship with. Often when we talk to God it feels like our prayers fall on deaf ears. Why is it that sometimes God answers our prayers and sometimes he does not?

In Luke 11:10 Jesus says "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh  findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." The truth is God always answers our prayers. Just as a wise earthly father does not always give their child everything they want, God who knows what we need and what we don't need, answers accordingly. God answers our prayers with a "yes", a "no", or a "not yet". Only God knows exactly what we need and when we need it. One thing we can be sure of, that God will always do what is best for us and those around us even if we don't always understand his answer.

Prayer: Dear Lord- Thank you for always hearing our prayers and giving us the answer that is best not only for us but for those around us. Help us to trust you when we dont receive the answer we were expecting and give us eyes to see how blessed we are to receive the answer you give us. In Jesus name, Amen.

First Love

Verses for study: Rev 2:4, Luke 14:26

When I was a young man in Bible College I was engaged to a lovely woman. When the  relationship came to it's natural end I was devastated. All my life I had been looking for that special someone that would complete me. One of the last things she said to me is that I was looking in the wrong place. At the time I only partially understood what she meant.

The Bible calls God a Christians "first love" (Rev 2:4). You will recognize who the first love in your life is by how much time you spend with them, and by how much effort you put into trying to please them. Jesus says in Luke 14:26 "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." Which means that your devotion to God must be stronger than any other relationship in your life. This devotion cannot be just a few times a week but must be a daily relationship including time for speaking and talking to God. Only when God is your first love will you be ready to share your life with anyone else.

Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you for the people and circumstances you have put in my life to lead me into a deeper relationship with you. Help me to realize that everything else around me has an expiration date and  that only you will never leave me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Actions vs Motives

Verses for study: Matthew 6:1-8

We have all seen individuals who seem to trumpet every charitable act they do while still others are just as charitable and yet no one ever hears about it. Are both methods just as honorable or is one better than the other?

Jesus in Matthew 6:3 says "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. And in verse 5 He says "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." In both of these instances the importance is put not on the actions but the condition of the individuals heart. The only reward a braggert will receive is the attention they get while bragging. God is not only interested in what we do but why we do it.

Prayer: Dear Lord, Help us to realize that our motives are as important as our actions, and before we judge others by their actions help us to realize only you can see their hearts.