But I Want It! And Why I Didn't Get It.

As Christians in this world we are confronted with temptations on all sides. Billboards, magazine ads, TV commercials. All taunting us with the latest and greatest nudging us to buy buy buy! And don’t even get me started on the internet. All around us is temptation.

A lot of this is motivated by greed. We want the stuff we see. We become complacent to the fact that in today’s world, for the most part we can get whatever we need, whenever we need it.

And if there is one question I have heard more than once from non-believers it’s this... “Well... God can’t be real. I asked for a million dollars and he didn’t give it to me.”

It’s strange how some think that just because God loves us unendingly and without condition that He would just give us whatever we want. When I hear this question, I point them to James.

In James 4 verse 3 it says When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. -James 4:3 (NIV)

It is my firm belief that when we come to Christ and accept him into our lives that we then must take up the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) to go and spread the good news. To help establish and build the Kingdom of God. So, by asking for a jet ski or a sports car that is solely self-serving. It does no good for anyone else. God gave us all gifts and we are to use them to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31) and to server others.

Another thing I have found to be true in my life is that God is NEVER late.

When it comes to things in your life that you want that can truly be used to help others you may not get it because you are not ready. Do not forget that God will not let you be pushed beyond what you can handle, 1st Corinthians 10:13.

There have been times where I desperately wanted to do or be something that just didn’t happen (for example this site). Not because I was lacking in anything but because He knew I was not ready. The Resources needed to bring about what ever event may be were not made available to me or within my grasp until I was truly ready, truly mature enough emotionally and spiritually to handle them.

We can’t always understand why God does the things he does but do not forget that His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts than ours, Isaiah 55:8-9.

He can see the end game where we cannot. He knows what hills and valleys lay ahead of you and if you will let Him he can guide you on the path that will benefit not only his Kingdom and His plan but also your life.

So, when you ask, ask with a pure heart. With pure intent because Jesus says that whatever you ask in his name, the Father will provide, John 14:13.

Just make sure you have the correct intent!