The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Gifts Given"
God does much in our lives for which we do not have to ask.
"He giveth to all life and breath and all things" (Acts 17:25).
God also withholds some things until we ask.
"Ye have not because ye ask not" (James 4:2).
Our Heavenly Father necessarily provides much without our asking because "we know not what we should pray for as we ought" (Romans 8:26). However, real relationship with our Heavenly Father though Christ also means that He often awaits our requests before administering His guidance, understanding, provision, and protection. "Ask and ye shall receive" (John 16:24). This keeps us coming to Him, which pleases His heart by our fellowship with Him. "The prayer of the upright is His delight" (Proverbs 15:8). We also find our hearts filled and fulfilled by conscious acknowledgement of the very Life of our lives. "In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11). Thereby, we grow in the knowledge of our Lord, and subsequently, a life lived for His glory and will.
What has God provided for which we did not know to ask? Doubtless much. What will He provide today because we asked? Hopefully, much. What will He not provide because we failed to ask? Hopefully, not much. Our Heavenly Father bears a heart beyond every measure of generosity we can imagine. He loves to provide, and does so abundantly. However, He also loves for us to ask, and to trust that He will answer our prayers according to His will, and in our best interests. Little wonder the Apostle Paul calls us to "pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17). And little wonder that those who do find themselves ever more amazed by the grace of God's giving, whether of gifts given without request, or gifts given because we asked.
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
(Philippians 4:-7)
Weekly Memory Verse
Not unto us, o Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory for Thy mercy and Thy truth's sake.
(Psalm 115:1)
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