Receiving What You Asked For

We are going to receive what we are due. When we do something wrong in this world, we are accountable to the consequences of our actions. Yes, we may be forgiven for our sin by God, but we are still accountable to punishment according to man. It is about our choice though that leads to our forgiveness by God. We choose Him over man and He continues to provide for and bless us as heirs to heaven.

“¹⁹For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.” – Romans 1:19 (ESV)

We know God because He has revealed Himself to us. He has shown us who He is and what He does and gives us love that we do not deserve. And yet…

“²¹For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” and “²⁹They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, ³⁰slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, ³¹foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. ³²Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.” – Romans 1:21 & 29-32 (ESV)

Even as we/they know/knew God, the choice is to go against Him. The choice to follow the world and not the LORD runs rampant in the world, even today as before. We are slaves to the instant gratification of the now and continue to do and approve others to do those things that are destructive to ourselves and the relationship we have with the Father.

“²⁸And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” – Romans 1:28 (ESV)

As such, The LORD gives us up to our desires and allows for our destruction. We make the choice to follow ourselves and God allows us to follow our choice. Our choice is asking for the consequences and as such we receive just what we ask for. The LORD will be right there with us waiting for our turn to Him and away from the destructive things, but He will allow us to take on the destructive things and the consequences of them until we choose Him.

What are you choosing? Are you choosing today those things that are giving you instant gratification without thought of the consequences? What if you were to choose the LORD and His ways instead, knowing that we will receive what we ask for?

The Due Reward

What have we done and what is our reward? Well, it is pretty simple when we look at it. We have work to do in this world and for that work we will be rewarded.

“³⁹One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!’” – Luke 23:39 (ESV)

We see here the words of those who were crucified along with Jesus. Knowing that Jesus is the Christ, the one knows that He could save Himself. The criminal also takes the selfish approach asking to be saved as well. The man was looking to get out of the death sentence that he was due as a result of the work he had done. The sentence he was receiving was in line with his deeds according to the law.

“⁴⁰But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’” – Luke 23:40-41 (ESV)

And then we have the other criminal crucified along with Jesus. The man understood who Jesus was and called Him out just the same. Except, He did not ask for his own redemption as he knew and understood the reward for his deeds was right where he was. But, he also knew that Jesus was doing something extraordinary. Jesus had done nothing wrong and was receiving an unjust reward for His deeds. Jesus was being crucified for the deeds of others and not His own.

Isn’t this something. We are accountable for the actions and deeds we undertake. We are to receive reward for those deeds, and the reward is not always something that we find pleasing. Our reward is in line with the action. We commit a crime, we are punished in the law. We avoid giving of ourselves and we do not receive help when we need it. When we provide for others, we receive the picture of joy on their faces. We show up, and we get to celebrate with those we showed up for.

The second criminal understood the reality of receiving the reward for the deeds committed. He may not have liked the idea of dying for it, but understood that he was accountable to the consequences of his actions. He also understood that Jesus had done nothing to receive death. He knew that Jesus could save Himself, yet was doing something extraordinary for others, even himself. This man knew of receiving due reward.

“⁴²And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ ⁴³And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” – Luke 23:42-43 (ESV)

This second man accepted the reward he was to receive. But he also accepted the gift Jesus was giving. He did not ask for something other than the reward he was due, but thanks to his accepting of Jesus for who He was and the gift He was giving, the man received the reward of eternal life with Jesus in heaven.

You see, we are due to receive rewards for our actions. Yet we can also receive redemption for those actions through Jesus. And we can receive justification through our faith in Him. And when we do, we receive the due reward that comes, eternal life with Jesus in heaven.

What is your due reward? Are you receiving that which you deserve based on your actions? What if you believe in your accountability and accept the consequences, and accept that Christ died for your actions and have faith in Him to wipe away your sin and provide the due reward of eternal life in heaven with Him?

God’s Choice

There may be things that are bigger and grander and stand out more to the eye of man, but God’s choice is more than enough.

“¹⁵Mount Bashan, majestic mountain,

Mount Bashan, rugged mountain,

¹⁶why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain,

at the mountain where God chooses to reign,

where the Lord himself will dwell forever?”

— Psalm 68:15-16 (NIV)

The mountain range to the north of Mount Sinai were certainly bigger and grander than God’s chosen dwelling place. They were, to the eye of man a more fitting place for God to set up as His place of residence. But here’s the thing, God does not do things to please the eye of man. He chooses based on His wants and needs and not ours. The grandeur of those mountains to the north may have been impressive to man, but to God, they were just another mountain range. Sinai is the choice of God.

“¹⁷The chariots of God are tens of thousands

and thousands of thousands;

the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.”

— Psalm 68:17 (NIV)

God does not need man to accomplish His tasks. He will use man, but does not need Him. He does not need the biggest and grandest, He is more than enough for all that He sets out to accomplish. God has thousands upon thousands of warriors now and forever. When He sets out for something nothing or no one will stand against Him in success. God sought Mount Sinai as His resting place and that is where He will rest.

Too often am I looking for some way to be enough for me and my family. I am the provider for them and look to make their lives as comfortable as possible. But God is where I find enough as I am certainly not. I don’t have the best solution in mind, I have my solution in mind. God’s solution for me and my family is enough. I will find peace where He leads me and not where I go on my own. God has thousands upon thousands preparing the place for me, it is up to me to allow Him to prepare it and arrive there as He leads me. God’s choice is His choice and much more than enough.

How are you getting along with choice? Are you out there choosing on your own and hoping it is enough in the eyes of man? What if you were to rely on God to choose for you knowing that His choice is much more than enough?

10 Years In Daily Study

Today marks 10 years of daily studying the Word of God consistently. According to my records, I written over 2000 pages containing over 950,000 words and made 1925 blog posts (more if you count before my blog started). And what have I gotten out of all this time with the LORD; just getting started.

As a Christian and follower of Jesus for over 40 years of my life, I was not consistent in my independent study of Gods Word. I was and do consistently attend church and even bible study, yet until 10 years ago, I was not in daily study of His Word. Oh, I could recite some scripture, and knew my way around a hymnal, but I was not in daily commune with the LORD based on my learning from Him.

10 years ago a friend of mine challenged me to read and study Gods Word and send her an email as an accountability exercise. And the accountability worked, as we are here now 10 years later, and I am still studying Gods Word daily.

“¹⁶All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

Learning is a lifelong process and should not be left to a few instances and expect to get the kind of depth of learning to last a lifetime. There is learning and then reviewing and then studying again to fully understand. And then just when you think you have learned it all, you find another perspective that changes everything. This is what is/has happened to me over this 10 years. I have gone through the same passages a number of times and each time God reveals something new, at least new to me.

I mentioned that I am just getting started after all this time and that is absolutely the truth. God is not done with me yet and daily I pray that He will reveal more and give me the opportunity to share it with others. 10 years in the daily study of Gods Word and I have not even scratched the surface. The LORD has more for me I am here for it.

What does your study of Gods Word look like? Are you getting His word from your weekly attendance of the church service? What if you were to take a few minutes every day to dive into His Word and see what He has for you?

The LORD Is the Gate and We Find Our Needs in Him

I am from the rural parts of Texas. Now, where I am not a farmer or rancher, I did grow up around acreage and livestock. Where anyone can get into the land by simply hopping over or going through the fence, there is a difference when coming through the gate. The gate is where the provision comes.

“²But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ³To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” – John 10:2-3 (ESV)

It is quite the thing to see when the farmer or rancher comes through the gate into the pasture land. The livestock immediately come around knowing that they will be fed or cared for. They will follow the truck of the farmer to the barn and wait patiently to be addressed by the farmer as they know he cares for them. They know sound of his truck. They know the blowing of the horn. They know it is time to be cared for.

Now, as for us kids, we could go through the fence to get to the pasture to play ball or fly kites or another other thing and we were not bothered by the livestock at all. We could be out there for hours without seeing a single animal, until the farmer, would come through the gate. The livestock know.

“⁷So Jesus again said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. ⁹I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.’” – John 10:7-9 (ESV)

Jesus is our shepherd and we know Him. We come to Him when He calls. When He comes through the gate, we know He is there for us. We will follow. He provides for us and cares for us and feeds us. He gives just what we need and we know Him. We know that when we are with Jesus, we are in the good pasture and will find and have all we need.

There is only one way to find peace and care and comfort, through the LORD. When we find Him, we find all we need. The LORD does not just come through the gate and care for us, He is the gate to our safety and protection and provision. We will find it all when He comes for us and when we go to and through Him.

Where are you looking for provision? Are you running to the first to come near you? What if you were to look for the gate that is Jesus and know that where He is you will find provision?

Stay Persistent in Your Prayer

“¹⁷pray without ceasing,” — 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV)

Paul, in writing to the church at Thessalonica told them to be in continuous prayer. I see this as being persistent in reaching out to the LORD. Notice that Paul’s directive is not specific for any subject other than prayer and communication with the LORD. I believe this to be the case today.

“⁷And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?” – Luke 18:7 (ESV)

Jesus even addressed continued prayer in, “The Parable of the Persistent Widow” that the above verse comes from. The widow comes to a judge all the time for justice to which the judge finally provides for her. Where the judge was worn down thanks to the persistence of the widow.

God will not be worn down. As we know of God’s character, He acts in His time and we are to wait on Him. But, that does not mean that we are not to make out petitions known, even continually. God wants for us to continue reaching out to Him. We are to pray all the time for those things that we are in need. Remember that He does say to ask and you shall receive. So we must keep asking.

“⁸I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” – Luke 18:8 (ESV)

Our faith is demonstrated through our consistent and persistent asking of our Father to be there for us. We are to come to Him day and night, continually. We are to bring to Him all things. We are to ask for His will in our lives. We are to commune with the LORD and He will listen. But not only will He listen, He will provide for our needs speedily. He will address our needs in a timely manner. The LORD will give to us.

The LORD answers our prayers. Maybe not to the extent that we envisioned, but He does answer. Remember that the LORD provides for our needs not always our wants. We are directed to continually and persistently pray, “pray without ceasing”, and the LORD will answer our petition.

How are you praying? Are you asking once and expecting to be given? What if you followed the direction Paul and more of Jesus, to be persistent in your prayer to receive from the LORD?

Rejoice in the Found

As I study this morning on the word “find(s)” I am brought to the parable of the lost sheep that Jesus tells to the tax collectors, sinners, Phaisees, and scribes.

“³So he told them this parable: ‘⁴What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? ⁵And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” ⁷Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.’” – Luke 15:3-7 (ESV)

What I see this morning is the words used by Jesus to describe the reactions and emotion of the shepherd at finding the sheep. Notice that it is not celebration, but rather joy. The shepherd is joyful at the finding of the one sheep and calls on others to have joy with him. And this of course translates to the joy in heaven when one sinner repents.

I know what you might be thinking, “well isn’t there a celebration that the shepherd calls people to?”. Yes, you are right, there is a celebration, but that celebration is defined as an occasion of rejoicing, not simple celebration. There is a permanence to the joy and not a fleeting party. Parties come and go, but rejoicing is more long standing. Like a wedding, we attend to rejoice in the union that is to last and the reception comes later.

The LORD is out looking for His lost sheep, us. He is searching everywhere and exhaustingly so to find us and bring us into the family. Even as there are so many that have yet to be found, when one is, He rejoices and calls on others to rejoice with Him. We rejoice at the finding of just one and at the next and the next. The reunion of the lost with God is to be rejoiced.

What is your reaction and emotion when finding? Are you set out to celebrate and move on? What if you took time to rejoice at the reunion as God rejoices when the one is found?

Find Your Reward

Seek, seek, and keep seeking. Our reward will be found. We will receive that which we are due.

“²⁷For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.” – Matthew 16:27 (ESV)

Here is the thing. I am sure everyone feels confident that we should be rewarded for the work we do. Well, we will. We will find our reward based on what we are due thanks to the actions we take. But, our reward may not be what we expect.

I first want to be sure and give the following disclaimer, we are not earning anything. We are judged and rewarded based on the work we do. But that work is not to earn our salvation, rather the work is because of our salvation.

“⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)

We will be rewarded according to what we have done in this world based on the work that the LORD assigned to us before we were born again into the Family of God. He assigned us work that is revealed to us with our time and study of His word and our gaining of understanding. We don’t do the work to be rewarded, but rather we do the work because we are blessed to call Him LORD.

I would be remiss if I did not speak of the reward gained by not accepting the gift of salvation. Look back to verse 27 from Matthew chapter 16 above. Jesus says that repayment will be according to what is done. That repayment, for those who have not done the work assigned (as they will not know of it without salvation), will be judgment and casting into the lake of fire. Yes, we will all be judged, but those who have accepted salvation and turned to do the will of the LORD will be judged faithful and rewarded with a place in heaven. All others will be judged and cast out.

So, we will find our reward. We will be repaid according to our work that the LORD assigned to us and was revealed at our salvation and study of His Word.

What is your reward? Are you looking for payment of heaven based on the work your doing? What if you were to do the work assigned because of your reward of heaven thanks to the gift of salvation from the LORD?

Lose Your Life to Find It

I am sure that you are like me in that you wonder when God is going to come through for you and take away pain and provide relief. Well, have you ever thought that maybe He is waiting on you to fully obey Him.

“³⁹Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” – Matthew 10:39 (ESV)

This morning I am reminded that in order for me to get the life I always wanted, I have to give up what I want and take up the cross for Christ. I have to deny my own self and provide for the glory of the LORD, then and only then will I reach the heights I was meant.

“²³And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.’” – Luke 9:23-24 (ESV)

I do my best to not be concerned with myself and getting what I want. But, I have to say that it gets frustrating seeing others seemingly getting ahead and finding what appears to be an easy way of things and not getting that same thing myself. It is tough to see others enjoying the “finer things” all while I am doing what I can to get by. Even in my own home, I seem to give and give and give and yet receive very little other than that which is the norm.

But, that is just it. I am not called to receive. I am called to give. To give of myself for others and more/most importantly, to give to the LORD all of me. I am not to be looking for my own life and seemingly getting ahead in the eyes of others. I am to be giving all of myself to the LORD and to others. I am to take up the cross of Christ and carry it for Him. I am to place my own down and follow Him. It is not about me it is about Christ and the spreading of the gospel to all of those around me.

I know that I am here to do the work of Christ. I know that I am made for great things. I also know that it is not supposed to be easy. It is not supposed to get me anything specific in this world. I know that my joy is found in the joy that is the face of God. I work so that others can relax and enjoy. I give to Lori so that she feels the love I have for her. I provided for my boys so they could get on with life. I will gladly wear the same 7 shirts each week. I will gladly drive the 30 year old car. I will gladly give up for myself to ensure that the LORD is glorified. And in return, I will find life everlasting in the presence of the LORD in heaven.

What are you working for? Are you working to find your life? What if you were to forget about your own life and worked to provide for others and the LORD, knowing that you will find your life in the presence of the LORD?

Seek and Find the LORD

I know that I have written on the seeking of the LORD and finding Him. Well this morning I have been brought back to that once again. We are to truly seek Him and we will find Him.

“⁷Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” – Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)

The title of this passage in my ESV Bible is, “Ask, and It Will Be Given”. Where the passage is about asking for and receiving, I am looking to the first two verses that point to seeking and finding. When we seek we are earnest in our action. We are not just looking or searching, we are on a mission to find. When that is the case in our interactions with the LORD, He will provide.

I was going to add the word “truly” before “seek” in the title, but then I remembered something I had heard recently. When we add an adverb to an action, we tend to seem desperate and unsure. We are calling attention to something that should not need attention brought to it as it should stand on its own. Seek for example means: “to try to find, obtain, or achieve something, usually through purposeful effort or formal request” according to my quick search in Google. The “purposeful effort or formal request” give us what we need to know about seeking. The verb creates its own intention. There is no need for the adverb to escalate. So seeking stands on its own as purposeful and formal.

Seeking the LORD is purposeful and formal. It is not something that we do casually in an attempt to show something to others. We seek deeply and when we do, as Jesus notes in the passage, we will find. When we seek the LORD, we will find Him as He is looking for and waiting for us. David has given the same charge to Solomon to seek the LORD and be found by Him.

“⁹And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.” – 1 Chronicles 28:9 (ESV)

And see the charge of David, our actions are to be “with a whole heart and with a willing mind”. Not just on the surface and for optics of those around us, but with purpose and formally. We are to “seek” the LORD and He will be found by us.

What does your finding of the LORD look like? Are you casually looking for Him to do big things for you? What if you were to seek Him, with purpose and formally, knowing that He will be found by you?