July 20, 2021: SOAP #4247:  2Chronicles 29-31; James 4

SCRIPTURE:  James (NIV) 4:2 You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

OBSERVATION:  Here are two reasons why people do not have what they need.  First, we do not ask God.  Who we ask has a great affect on receiving the desired answer!  Did we ask someone able to meet our need?  Did we ask someone who was inclined to meet our need? 

Second, we ask with wrong motives.  God is not inclined to answer selfish prayers.  The love of God causes Him to make great sacrifices for others.  God wants us to be like Him. 

Third, not mentioned in this passage, but a particularly important issue for not receiving answers to prayer: faith.  We do not ask with faith.  We do not really believe God will answer.  God is not our source; He is just a possible source.  Yes, we ask Him, but when He does not immediately answer, we find another possible source.  We ask someone who has a sympathetic ear.  We have more faith in a person who has a history of helping than we have in God. 

APPLICATION:  BUT… With God, all things are possible!  (Matthew 19:26)
If I ask anything according to His will…  (1John 5:14-15)
I cast my care on you because you care for me.  (1Peter 5:7)
Faith = Forsaking All I Trust Him. 

PRAYER: Lord, you are able and willing to answer.  So, in faith, I reach out to you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!