Are You Limiting God's Blessings?

[Chad]

Are You Limiting God's Blessings?
Charles F. Stanley

Scripture: Psalm 81:1-16

A. Introduction: People often say "I have this need, and God hasn't met it. I've asked over and over but still I get no results." Sometimes prayers go unanswered because we don't truly believe that God will answer our requests.

B. Scripture: Psalm 81:1-16
The Israelites turned away from God and His plan numerous times, but He continually rescued them.


C. God promises to meet all our needs.

• Scriptures: Psalm 23, 37:4, 81:16, 103:1-6, 145:18-19; Philippians 4:19
• God promises us His best, but that doesn't mean His blessings are the same for every person.
• The Lord wants to show us the amazing things He has planned. But sometimes we focus so much on doing for ourselves that we can't hear His voice. It's important to listen to God so we don't miss His answer.

D. What are the requirements for getting our needs met?


1. Ask. If we don't ask God for what we need or want, how can we expect to receive it?

• In James 4:2, the apostle writes, "You do not have because you do not ask."
• Don't be vague. Petition God for specific wants and needs.
• Examples: Dr. Stanley's daughter praying for a car; a person praying for a future spouse
• If we continually ask God for something but don't expect a response, it's as if we don't trust Him.
• In expecting God's answer, we should also be willing to make changes necessary to receive His provision.
• Example: Asking for a new job or promotion
• We must be careful to not settle for second best in our impatience.

2. Be specific.

3. Anticipate an answer.

4. Be patient.
​

E. If you request something that isn't part of God's plan, He will do one of two things:

• He will reveal that your desire doesn't fit His plan for you.
• he will show you something better to request of Him.

F. Closing: Ask the Lord to meet your specific needs and wants, and anticipate His response. By waiting on His timing, you will never be disappointed. Come to God expecting "far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think" (Eph. 3:20), and in His sovereignty, He will satisfy you beyond your wildest hope.

Copyright 2011 In Touch Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. www.intouch.org. In Touch grants permission to print for personal use only.

 

[AudreyNicole]

A Godsend

This post was so incredibly and miraculously helpful for me today. I have been struggling for the past two days with weak faith in prayer. I've been asking but not truly believing. And it's gotten to the point where I'm afraid to even ask because I'm afraid I wont get what I've asked for and be disappointed... thus, it would seem better just not asking. Why bother even praying anymore (thankfully I didn't get that low in my faith, but many do). I really believe that many of God's children "miss out" on amazing blessings because we are lacking true faith.

My true faith has been undergoing testing for a while now. For the past many months I have been waiting for the Lord in prayer and am still waiting. I started getting a little impatient and my faith started slipping. This post is exactly what I needed, and the part that put a smile on my face was the last of the article, post E.

For so long I had been fretting that perhaps my desires weren't good and perhaps I wasn't asking for the proper things, the things in God's will. I was so afraid that I was pursuing the wrong things and wanting the wrong things and these things would cause me ruin down the road. But at the same time I knew I couldn't change my will, only God could. So I asked Him to change me, but I was afraid that perhaps my will was too stubborn to bend, and I was afraid the Lord would let me continue in my disastrous ways to "teach me a lesson". That is why it is so comforting for me to read post E

E. If you request something that isn't part of God's plan, He will do one of two things:

• He will reveal that your desire doesn't fit His plan for you.
• he will show you something better to request of Him.

With this, and resting in Philippians 2:13, I have a renewed faith in my prayers and a renewed trust in the Lord. I am so grateful that God provided this wisdom and assurance for me today.

God Bless!In Christ,

 

[Christ4Ever]

Thank-you Chad, it gave me much food for thought.
My only issue would be the joining of needs and wants. Needs are things necessary for survival, versus wants which are not. Whatever was being asked for in James 4, I can only assume was a want, and worldly in nature.

D. What are the requirements for getting our needs met?

1. Ask. If we don't ask God for what we need or want, how can we expect to receive it?
In James 4:2, the apostle writes, "You do not have because you do not ask."

Utilizing James 4:2 as the apostle said was due to “You do not have because you do not ask.” James 4:3 expands on this, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts.” Maybe I’m wrong here, but it was not just the asking that was missing, but what they were asking for as well. The inability of the person to be able to separate what is a need versus a want, as well as what is worldly versus grace showed a shallowness in understanding the showering of God auspices to His people.

E. If you request something that isn't part of God's plan, He will do one of two things:
He will reveal that your desire doesn't fit His plan for you.
he will show you something better to request of Him.

I agree with this, however, if you know supporting scripture, which would make this most awesome indeed!

In the asking it has always been easier for me to ask for others than myself. When it has come to others as well as to myself, I’ve always looked to how our Lord prayed to the Father at Gethsemane Matt 26:39 “….My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will[/B].” And then an acceptance of what was being asked of Him in Matt 26:42 “…My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done[/B].” Always leaving it to Him to determine the validity of my request. I just don't know enough to make that call.

Like Paul I try to be content in whatsoever state I am in. Phil 4:11 Doesn't mean I don't struggle with this at times.

My Life which has been given me is more precious than anything I would ask for, except for another to know that same truth. I’ve already been given the greatest gift that anyone could ever receive! At one time it was a need which I didn’t even know I had. Yet completely fulfilled in and through Christ Jesus.

I apologize ahead of time, if this doesn’t follow the thread or the intent of your post. Thanks for listening.
YBIC