December 15, 2021: SOAP #4395:  James 1-5

SCRIPTURE:  James (NIV) 4:2b You do not have, because you do not ask God.

OBSERVATION: Here is one important reason why we are lacking—we do not ask God! 

God loves us.  God is for us.  God has all power.  God has all the resources we could ever need.  God has proven ability to meet needs.  The Old and New Testament have testimonies of God meeting man’s needs.  The Bible Book Stores have many books with testimonies how God met needs during my lifetime.  One can hear many testimonies of God meeting needs on radio and television.  So why would I not ask God? 

God knows me.  God may have other priorities in my life.  God knows of any hidden sin and bitterness that may need to be eradicated from my heart.  God knows the right timing for the work He has assigned me.     

When God takes too long to answer, I may turn to other sources.  Someone once showed an interest in my ministry so I try to convince them that God will not be able to complete the ministry without their offerings.  Maybe I will use some verses from Paul’s letters about God’s blessings on givers, but he wrote them to thank people for their gifts, not to convince them to start supporting his ministry.                                            

APPLICATION:  When I am doing God’s will, I can trust Him to supply my needs.  When serving in the US Navy, I was sent to Viet Nam.  While there, the US government provided everything I needed.  Surely God is greater than the US government!  

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you know what I will need to fulfill your plan for me.   I trust your timing for needed provisions. To you goes all the glory!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!