You're A Good Father!

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For EVERYONE WHO ASKS RECEIVES; THE ONE WHO SEEKS FINDS; AND TO THE ONE WHO KNOCKS, THE DOOR WILL BE OPENED . Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, HOW MUCH MORE WILL YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN GIVE GOOD GIFTS TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM!" (Mat 7:7-11 NIV)

People often have problems with these verses. Maybe they asked and did not receive what they asked for. Maybe it was not answered in the way they asked or as soon as they hoped.

But Jesus promises us that God will answer your prayer and will give you good gifts:

• Like any good parent, God gives us what we need, not necessarily what we think we need. If your child asked for candy, you might give them an apple instead.
• Sometimes, we need to wait. God's timing is perfect. Trust it. If your four-year-old asks to ride on a roller-coaster, you should wait until he is old enough to handle it and large enough not to slip out of the restraints.
• Sometimes, we need to press in. You may long to minister to others. Start where you are. Minister to your family and friends. When they are hurting or in doubt, are you there for them and pray for them? Are you being faithful in the things that God has given you? Be faithful in little things. If you are, then God will give you more.
• Sometimes, we are asking for things out of our own selfish desires. (See James 4:3). Make sure that your requests line up with God's character and will. Don't pray to win the lottery . . . even if you promise to give some to charity.

BOTTOM LINE: Trust that God will give you good things. So, ask and believe it.

When my children were young, I often promised to do something, like going to the water park. If it did not happen immediately, they would pester me: "When are we going?" "Can we go tomorrow?" It was annoying. There is nothing wrong with praying the same prayer repeatedly, as long as it is in faith. But there are times in which asking over and over again is not based on faith, but on doubt. We doubt whether God will give us the good things He's promised. HE WILL!

One day, my children did something amazing. Instead of pestering me, they thanked me. They told me "Thanks dad for promising to take us to the water park. We are really looking forward to it and know you will take us when you can." Their faith moved me to tears.

Trust God. He will give us only good things. Tell Him how much you love Him for ALWAYS giving us EVERYTHING we need.

He is a Good Father!