Verse: "Until now you have not asked for anything in My Name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy." John 16:24 NCV
Where (or who) do you place your HOPE in? The worldly circumstances, the doctor's diagnosis', the words of friends & family or the Word of God and God Himself? Do you have FAITH in God, that He will do and say all that He promises? Do you have a sincere HOPE for tomorrow? Have you 'asked' God for those desires, sincerely asked in the name of Jesus? We should be continually seeking the face of God, and the plans that He has for us. Our desires and wants, wishes and dreams can be fulfilled if we live according to God's plan, and if they are in His will and desire for us as well. "Genuine heartfelt prayer produces powerful changes in us and in our world." ('A Woman of Faith' Devotional. Day 76. ©2007 Freeman-Smith, LLC. Nashville, TN. 37202)
When we truly believe with faith, which is truly believing without seeing, than God can and will do a GREAT work in our lives, and in our world.
This 'asking' is just not petitioning for your own self, but for those around you. Think of the world around you, your home, your family, your work/co-workers, your church family, your community, your city, your province, your country, and countries around the world. Are there questions about your future (or theirs) that you cannot answer alone -- needs that you cannot meet (such as the turmoil going on in Japan) -- do you really know what your purpose is? Do you just have simple questions about life? God can and will meet those needs, and answer those questions, if you SEEK Him. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)
Whatever your desire, need, prayer request may be, keep on praying. Pray continuously -- never lose HOPE! Not just saying 'hope' frivolously, as in 'I hope God answers my prayer' or 'I hope I can go to Africa' -- but a true and sincere that is stronger than desire. According to dictionary.com, 'hope' is defined as;
–verb (used with object)
6. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
7. to believe, desire, or trust: I hope that my work will be satisfactory.
–verb (used without object)
8. to feel that something desired may happen: We hope for an early spring.
9. Archaic . to place trust; rely (usually followed by in ).
—Idiom
10. hope against hope, to continue to hope, although the outlook does not warrant it: We are hoping against hope for a change in her condition.
The worldly view of 'hope' is just looking forward to with desire & 'reasonable confidence', meaning don't wish too hard, don't believe too much just incase it doesn't happen. A Christian's view of 'hope' should be a totally different outlook. We can look forward to with the confidence and assurance that God will do what He says He will do. We don't put our 'hope', 'trust' and 'faith' in the circumstance or the desire, we put our 'hope, trust and faith' in the God that provides. I've said it before, and I will say it again and again (& I've heard others mention it -and too many mention the opposite, which is why I will write it again), we need to STOP seeking the healing, the provisions, the desires, the revivals, the signs & wonders/moves of the Spirit and we need to START seeking the Healer, the Provider, the Miracle worker, the Reviver, the Spirit himself who is above all, who is GOD. We need to SEEK HIM, and Him alone... don't just seek for the Spirit, or for more of Jesus -- we need GOD as a whole, Father, Son & Spirit. God gives us the Spirit here on earth, so yes we can desire moves of the Spirit, but we have to seek GOD Himself to receive the Spirit, and we need to believe that God sent His Son Jesus and it is His BLOOD that cleanses us and makes us new. We are protected by that blood. We need to stop looking at the circumstances around us because we are basing our faith, hope and trust around them too much. We need to place our faith in the BLOOD of JESUS, the POWER of the SPIRIT and the GREATNESS of GOD! Our God is greater, stronger, higher, awesome in power and He is the Healer, the Provider, the Giver of Life and more. (See 'When I Speak Your Name' devotional here for more.) For more information you can check out, http://www.learnthebible.org/praying-in-the-name-of-jesus.html or just Google "in Jesus' name" or "power in the name of Jesus" or "names of God".
So if you feel as if you have the worldly form of hope, faith and trust -- then SEEK the Lord and ask Him to fill you with His Faith, Hope and Trust -- but then you need to have the faith, hope and trust to believe that He will do what you asked. God is able, actually more than able to answer our requests (if they align with His will) - we just need to ASK! 'A.S.K.' -- Ask, Seek & Knock.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!
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