“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways”. – James 1:5-8
LIGHT FOR NOW: In the place of prayer, the believer will find it difficult to receive if he has a distorted view of God’s character.
Recall that the phrase “he shall receive” implied literally “to take from” or “to take of”. See how it was used in John 6:51-54 “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day”. Notice the criteria in receiving from the following phrases:
• “…If any man eat of this bread…”
• “…eat the flesh…”
• “…drink the blood…”
Obviously, these phrases are figurative expressions used by Jesus to explain the role of the recipient in receiving what would be made available upon his death, burial and resurrection. Thus, believing is an activity that shows that there is a responsibility on the part of the recipient to receive what the Father gave in the Son. The day a man believes and receives is not the day God gave. The recipient has only taken advantage of what has already been given. Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”.
The phrase “you shall receive” also literally implies “to take advantage of” what has been given. In other words, Jesus says “you shall take advantage of…” Hence, it is the responsibility of every believer to consciously receive in prayer. The believer must thus know how to receive when he prays. Glory!
INSTRUCTION: It is your responsibility to be full of the right knowledge of God’s character to be able to receive in prayers.
CONFESSION: I choose to take advantage of what is rightfully mine in Christ, in Jesus Name. Amen.
QUOTE: I choose to take advantage of what is rightfully mine in Christ.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: ACTS CHAPTER 1; EVENING: ACTS CHAPTER 2
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 