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ASK

God’s Word Today – Seek Divine Wisdom

by Lily Benson May 18, 2023

Uncover the invaluable treasures that await as you seek divine wisdom and embrace God’s guidance in every aspect of your life.

What Does the Bible Say?

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5

Have you ever found yourself in need of guidance and divine wisdom? We live in a world filled with endless choices and complex challenges, thankfully, you have access to a boundless source of God’s wisdom. In James 1:5, you are encouraged to seek divine wisdom, promising that God will generously provide it to those who ask in faith.

James, the brother of Jesus, understood the value of wisdom and its significance in our daily lives. He invites us to approach God with humility and faith, knowing that He is eager to bestow His wisdom upon us. By asking for wisdom, you acknowledge your dependence on God and surrender your limited understanding to His infinite knowledge.

Divine wisdom surpasses human comprehension. It is not merely intellectual knowledge but a deep understanding rooted in God’s truth and eternal perspective. God’s wisdom encompasses discernment, insight, and practical guidance to navigate life’s decisions and challenges. As you seek His wisdom, you align yourself with His purposes and experience His guidance in every area of your life.

How Do You Seek Divine Wisdom?

The key to seeking divine wisdom lies in approaching God with unwavering faith. When you ask in faith, you demonstrate your trust in God’s character and His ability to provide what you need. Faith acknowledges that God is the source of all wisdom and that He desires to guide you along the path of righteousness. As you cultivate steadfast faith, you open yourself to the transformative work of God’s wisdom in your life.

Seeking wisdom involves the diligent study of God’s Word, prayerful meditation, and seeking counsel from mature believers. It is a process that will unfold as you grow in your relationship with God and develop a sensitivity to His voice.

As followers of Christ, we have the privilege and responsibility to seek God’s wisdom. James 1:5 reminds us of God’s generous invitation to ask for wisdom, assuring us that He will provide.

The Lord Promised That If You Ask, You Will Receive

by Rhoda Gayle January 1, 2022

written by Rhoda Gayle

The Lord promised us that if we ask, we will receive.

Lord’s Promise

In an episode of Gather, Ben and Jodie Hughes share the truth about God’s promise. The promise that if we will ask, we will receive. Ben emphasized what the Bible says about us asking the Lord. It clearly said that if we knock, the door will be opened, if we seek, we will find what we’re looking for.

“The Bible says this, ‘If you ask, you will receive,’” Ben emphasized. “Jesus said it, if you ask, you shall receive, if you seek, you will find. It doesn’t say if you ask, maybe, maybe you’ll receive, no. It says if you ask, you will receive.”

There are no prerequisites nor qualifications for that, it’s a promise for everyone who follows the Lord.

“It’s a promise, there are no qualifications put on that,” he added.

Ask, You Will Receive

Everything that the Bible says is true because the Word of God is living and active. Let our hearts be aligned to His Words and let our hearts trust the truths of God.

“We can expect as we talk about these the truths of God that He will answer us, that things are shifting,” Jodie said. “Even in our own hearts and expectations right now because the Word of God is living and active. Right now, that means as we release these truths, things are shifting in our own hearts. Faith is rising, the expectation is rising, hope is rising, and a knowing in our own hearts that God cares, He listens and He answers.”

Talk To God And Ask Him What You Need | GATHER with Ben and Jodie Hughes

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Reference: YouTube | GOD TV

January 1, 2022 0 comment

Articles

Ask, Seek, Knock: God’s Formula for Persistent Faith

by Jennifer LeClaire September 29, 2020

written by Jennifer LeClaire

Ask. Seek. Knock. If faith without works is dead, then asking without seeking and knocking is just as lifeless. There are many reasons why you may not be receiving prayer answers, from doubt in your heart (see Rom. 10:9). Or maybe to asking with wrong motives (see James 4:3). You might have unconfessed sin (see Is. 59:1-2), or unforgiveness (see Mark 11:25). There might be strife on the home front (see 1 Pet. 3:7), or you could be turning away from Scripture (see Prov. 28:9).

But you can believe purely, ask with right motives, have a clean heart, forgive all your enemies, avoid arguments, and soak in the Word all day and still not see prayer answers. That’s because asking—without seeking and knocking—flows from the same lazy river as faith without works.

Ask, Seek, Knock: Active Faith

Ponder Jesus’ promise on determined, active faith, and then consider two Bible characters’ strategies for getting what they wanted. Let’s start with Jesus’ promise: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Matt. 7:7-8)

Sometimes a single request suffices. But sometimes it takes persistent faith to receive God’s promises. Sometimes you have to go after it with godly determination that won’t quit.

knocking-on-door

Three Steps To Reviving Your Faith

I like how the Amplified Bible translates Matt. 7:7-8: “Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.”

This is a promise from God. So long as what you desire is His will, you can be assured that if you keep on asking, keep on seeking and keep on knocking, you will eventually receive the promise. Let me expound on these three principles:

Ask

1. Ask. Although God knows what we need before we ask Him, He usually won’t provide our needs until we ask because He wants relationship with us.

Seek

2. Seek. It’s not always enough just to ask. More often than not, you also have to seek. In other words, add some works to your faith. Faith without works is dead (see James 2:26). (Be led by the Spirit, of course. You can’t bulldoze your way through the doorway to God’s promises).

Knock

3. Knock. If you seek, you will find. Once you see God’s promise in clear view, knock and keep on knocking until the promised door is open. God opens doors that no one can shut (see Rev. 3:8), but often, you have to knock.

So, How Do You Knock?

In the context of Matthew 7, knocking means “importunity in dealing with God,” according to Vine’s Expository Dictionary. That suggests urgent and persistent requests. In other words, once you’re sure you’ve found what you have been asking for turn again to asking but with greater urgency.

David sought the Lord in this manner: “One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.” (Ps. 27:4, NKJV) David didn’t just have a desire, he sought after the object of his godly desire. Looking at our three-step process, David desired (ask) and sought (seek). Based on David’s relationship with the Lord, which we read about in the Word, I believe he found what he asked for, then inquired (knocked). God opened the door to intimacy.

Pray Once Or Keep Praying?

There is a time to pray once, hand it over to God, and trust Him to answer. But there is also a principle of persistent faith where you ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, and knock and keep on knocking until you receive the promise. How do you know the difference? The easy answer is to be led by the Spirit.

A deeper answer is to consider the opposition. When you face opposition to walking through the doorway of promise, ask God to show you what to do to position yourself for the manifestation, then take any God-inspired action (seek) to find the doorway He leads you to. Once you find the door, start knocking and keep knocking. God will surely open it at the appointed time. Amen.

September 29, 2020 0 comment

Faith

The New You – One Step at a Time

by Paula R. Bryant January 30, 2020

written by Paula R. Bryant

For the past (almost) seven years, I have battled an inner ear condition that limited much of what I was able to do. I had to limit stress, salt, caffeine, exposure to certain atmospheric conditions, and avoid a host of other things to best manage my wellness. The process, at times, was grueling. It was hard to see this “storm” was bringing about a “new me,” step by step. Are you working on a New You?

Recently, the Lord showed me how that extended battle had affected me far beyond my physical health. The unwelcome six-year illness had also affected my thinking, my emotions, and as a result, my habits, bringing on somewhat of a mid-life crisis. The chronic severe vertigo attacks and loss of equilibrium shook my self-confidence and even challenged my identity. It seemed everything I had been or had once done well was being ripped away.

Do you feel as though you can no longer do things you once did well? Have you suffered a loss so great that your mind is reeling, and you can’t imagine how you could ever recover? Perhaps you’re turning over a new leaf and want to change your routines? Maybe you made progress in the past only to fall short of achieving your goal more often than you liked.

The “New You” Is Emerging

As a believer, the key to coming through my crisis began with Christ. In John 6:22–29 (AMP), people who were amazed that Jesus had crossed the Sea of Galilee without getting into a boat, asked Him the next day, “…‘What are we to do, so that we may habitually be doing the works of God?’ (v. 28). Jesus said, “…‘This is the work of God: that you believe [adhere to, trust in, rely on, and have faith] in the One whom He has sent’ ” (v. 29).

Jesus hit the nail on the head. Often, we focus on what we either can or can’t do. This creates the mental framework for who we think we are. I had subconsciously done this for years. But, in truth, what we do comes from who we are—and our identity comes from God. So, we must ask ourselves: what do we really believe? That stormy night Jesus walked on water, and then calmed the sea, the disciples came to terms with just that.

God’s work in you is that you believe the Lord. He gave you gifts and callings (corporately and personally) that He’ll never take back (see Romans 11:29). However, your assignments can and will change through the seasons of life. In and through it all, Jesus remains the same, and He never stops leading us in taking our next steps.

Ask! Seek! Knock!

If you have been through a crisis or are in the throes of transition, be encouraged! Jesus can keep you afloat and get you to the other side, even if you can’t see how it’s possible. I once wrote that you can come all the way through and keep your momentum by learning to “Pause and A.C.T.” according to Luke 11:9–10:

Admit your feelings to God. Go to Him in prayer, and with thanksgiving, be brutally honest. Then “ask” the Lord (v. 9) to help you sort through your emotions and see things clearly. But don’t stop there.
Come into agreement with Him. While in His presence, “seek” Him by opening your Bible and letting the Holy Spirit guide you. Use your concordance, if necessary, and read what the Word says about your situation. But, once again, don’t stop there.
Take action. Start “knocking” by submitting to God and accepting His instructions. Then SAY what you’ve read; declare and personalize God’s Word. When you emerge from your quiet time DO what has God revealed for you to do.

New You: Keep Crossing Over

Yes, even after the most violent of storms, the “New You” emerges! Jesus promised in Luke 11:10 that when we keep asking, we receive; when we keep seeking, we find; and when we keep knocking, the door opens. I’m excited about where God is leading you! We have much to explore what it means to believe, but let’s pause here. Go to Jesus, my friend. Ask Him to call you out of the “boat” you’re in and begin to walk on the strength of His Word. You’ll get to the other side…one step at a time.

“…‘This is the work of God: that you believe…’ ” (John 6:29a)

January 30, 2020 0 comment

Faith

Ask

by Sarah Crockett March 22, 2019

written by Sarah Crockett

Any time there is a question formed in our mouths we are asking for something. “Ask” is a simple word that has the potential, depending on what is being asked, to have life changing implications. Asking is a topic that Jesus frequently addresses. For example…

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22)

“Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

These verses show us that there are consequences to our asking. In Matthew 7:7 says, if we ask “it will be given”. In Matthew 21:22 if we ask “we will receive”. In Mark 11:24 if we ask “it will be yours”. The beautiful thing about consequences in the Kingdom is that they are good! Jesus is the Way and the Truth and the Life (see John 14:6) and when we choose to live our lives according to His ways those ways produce consequences in our lives, again, the good kind of consequences.

Types Of Asking

According to Merriam-Webster online dictionary there are two types of asking…first, “to call on for an answer” and second, “to make a request of”. To call on for an answer is simply asking for information. On the other hand, when we make a request of someone there is a deeper level of vulnerability required…asking for a raise, asking for help, asking for money, asking for a promotion, or asking someone out. These examples of asking require a higher level of risk, thus are more vulnerable, than asking someone where they want to eat lunch. Both types of asking imply that we need something, but “making a request” is when our hearts get involved.

Jesus Asks For All Of Us

When Jesus tells us to ask He’s inviting us to share our hearts with Him. He paid a high price to have a relationship with us and He doesn’t want it to be one-sided. He had a one-sided relationship with us before He went to the cross. His love for us and towards us has never changed, but He longed for the connection that was broken through sin. Jesus wants to know us on a heart level. He wants us to risk being vulnerable with Him and ask for our wants, needs and desires. He is waiting and wanting to come through for us!

Allow His words, or word rather, to resound in your heart…

Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask!

…and it will be given!

March 22, 2019 0 comment

Faith

God Loves It When We Ask Him for Things! Have You Ever Noticed How Often Jesus Mentioned This?

by Beth Jones April 17, 2017

written by Beth Jones

There’s this crazy thing about God – He loves it when we ask Him for things!

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11

Have you ever noticed how often Jesus mentioned the word “ask”?

Jesus tells us – that God loves to give good gifts – to whom? To those who ask! He said, “Ask and you shall receive…” There is something about “asking” that God likes. The Lord wants us to ask Him for good things! James tells us that “…we have not because we ask not….” Perhaps asking puts us in a place of dependence on the Lord, rather than being self-sufficient or presumptuous. When we ask God for something, it’s a humble acknowledgment that we are needy and He is our good and benevolent Father – willing to give us the things we desire.
Think about it, God is a good Father! He’s more generous than the very best human father we could think of. The Lord is not a withholder. He’s not stingy. Like any loving human father enjoys giving good things to his children, our Heavenly Father is that much more giving. In fact, the Bible tells us that God our Father is love and love gives. That means by His very nature, God is a loving giver.
Sadly, many people don’t know much about God’s love or willingness to answer our prayers generously. Even fewer seem to know how to cooperate with Him in faith, by asking. Some people feel guilty or selfish when they ask God for things. Don’t shrink back from asking. God wants us to ask for things according to His will, which is His Word. Listen to this amazing promise: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of Him.” 1 John 5:14-15

Are you getting stirred up about asking God for the things on your heart?

Here are a few more verses to meditate on today, and then – just ask!    ”If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” James 1:5-8

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” John 15:7
“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in My Name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20   ”In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. I tell you the truth, My Father will give you whatever you ask in My Name. Until now you have not asked for anything in My Name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:23-24

Get the idea? Go ahead – just ask!

Say This: “Father, I am going to spend some time in Your Word. I ask You to saturate my heart with Your Word and Your will. I have been negligent on ‘asking’ – so I am going to get busy ‘asking’ You for things! I believe You will be glorified and my joy will be complete! I thank You in advance for answering my ‘asking.’ In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

April 17, 2017 0 comment

Faith

How Do I Honor My Parents if They Are Mocking Me For My Faith?

by GOD TV April 12, 2017

written by GOD TV

Ask Me Anything with Dr. Michael Brown: Honor Your Mother & Father?

This week on GOD TV’s Ask Me Anything, Dr. Michael Brown answers a tough, controversial question from a young woman named Gungita from New Delhi, India: “The Bible says to honor my father and mother. But they are mocking me for being a Christian. How should I respond?” While it might be tempting to skirt around a question with such profound implications, Dr. Brown tackles this issue head-on.

India: A Culture of Obedience

Keep in mind that Gungita is likely struggling with not only the Biblical imperative to respect her elders, but also her culture’s traditions of doing so. India, like other countries in the East, treasures the wisdom of the elderly, and young people are expected to submit to their authority.

But which comes first: the need to follow Christ or the cultural and Biblical commandment to honor parents? Dr. Brown believes you can do both. Why?

Submission is absolute. Obedience is conditional.

Dr. Brown quotes Chinese Christian leader Nee, who wrote in his book Spiritual Authority, “Submission is a matter of attitude, while obedience is a matter of conduct.” In his own life, Nee contended with an anti-Christian, communist Chinese government, and he did so by submitting to it with his attitude but obeying God with his actions.

As a Christian and Indian, Gungita should submit to the authority of her parents, but she should not obey any demands that would impede her Christian faith.

Dr. Brown astutely advises Gungita to tell her parents, “I honor you, I respect you, and I love you, but I have to obey God. Jesus is my Lord.” If they proceed to kick her out of the house, which is a common problem for young Christians in anti-Christian societies, she should leave and trust that God will provide.

Because there are so many conflicting demands on us, we can only unconditionally obey one King–God. We can and should submit to human authorities, but only obey them when doing so does not conflict with God’s commands.

Jesus’s Example

We see Nee’s principle and Dr. Brown’s advice echoed in the life of Jesus. Jesus tells his followers to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17). In short, submit to human authorities, but when it comes to actions that affect the heart and soul, obey God.

But choosing to disobey parents is a little more personal than choosing to disobey the government. What does Jesus say about that? In Luke 14:26, Jesus teaches, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”

Wow! Did Jesus really advise us to hate? Well, not exactly. According to some Biblical scholars, Jesus sows seeds of division within families (and even within the self) to teach that devotion to God must be first and foremost in our lives.

Not only that, but Jesus acts on his own words in Luke 8:19-21. When his mother and brothers came to see him, he responded, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” Likely, Jesus’s intention was not to be cold toward his own family, but rather to emphasize the unity within the Christian community.

The Bottom Line

So we learn from Jesus that devotion to God must come first in our lives. He also demonstrated that God’s family of believers is even more important than our own blood ties. In essence, submit to parents and authorities, but obey God.

Ultimately, we are God’s children, and we must first and foremost obey God. Whatever the consequences, the family of believers must stand united. Perhaps the idea of having brothers and sisters in Christ is comforting to the young woman in India struggling with family issues.

Send Us Your Questions

If you need moral sanity or spiritual clarity, send your questions to Dr. Michael Brown via [email protected], tweet with #AMADRBROWN, or Facebook.

April 12, 2017 0 comment