What We Shouldn't Expect from God
God had planned an infinitely better end for this man, who would be carried to heaven in a chariot of fire, “translated” so that he would not experience death. Here we have a memorable proof that God does not always answer prayer in kind, though He always does in effect. He gave Elijah something better than he asked, and in doing so really heard and answered him. It was strange that the lionhearted Elijah should be so depressed by Queen Jezebel’s threat that he actually asked to die. And it was blessedly kind on the part of our heavenly Father that He did not take His despairing servant at his word. There is a limit to the doctrine of the prayer of faith. We should not expect that God will give us everything we choose to ask for. We know that we sometimes ask, and do not receive, because we ask “with wrong motives” (James 4:3). If we ask for something that was not promised, if we operate against the spirit the Lord wants us to cultivate, if we ask contrary to His will or the decrees of His providence, or if we ask only to benefit ourselves and not for His glory, we should not expect to receive. But when we “ask in faith, with no doubting” (James 1:6 ESV), even if we don’t receive the precise thing we ask, we will receive an equivalent—even more than an equivalent—for it. Someone has said, “If the Lord does not pay in silver, He will in gold; and if He does not pay in gold, He will in diamonds.” If He does not give you exactly what you ask for, He will give you something essentially the same, something you will be happy to receive in its place. So, dear reader, pray much, and make this evening a time of earnest intercession. Only be careful what you ask for. Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day
We often believe more of what Satan says about God than what God says about God.
We hear the whispers of half truths spoken by false teachers in a supposed Church setting and believe it as if it were the whole Gospel.
The very first thing that Satan did with Adam and Eve was to ask "Did God really say..."
He hasn't changed.
He still twists the Word of God to his own ends.
He still tricks people into believing what isn't true about God. Still convinces people to never go as far as they could have with their heart towards God.
We often see and hear of all these name it and claim it preachers. That it's written in the Bible and if you name that for yourself God will furnish it. What about that passage that came with the rebuke? You know what I am talking about. The one where people asked but didn't receive because they asked with wrong motives. Intending to spend it on themselves.
God isn't your personal Genie.
God didn't send Jesus here to go through everything He did to become your Butler.
Jesus came to do what? Obey His Father.
You, my Dear Reader, need to realize this world hates those who are Children of God. It hates the nation of Israel.
Jesus said they hated me they will hate you.
He said those in the darkness loved it more than the light because their deeds were evil. The light exposed their evil.
In many ways God will indeed bless our lives regardless of what Satan says or tries to do. The reason isn't for God to do an 'In your face!' at Satan. There's only one Plan by God. To seek and save the lost. It isn't necessarily that we all be rich, or full of great health. It's not about our success or lack of it in this world. It's about reaching the lost in this world.
To put it plainly when the last person who will be saved outside of the Tribulation is saved. That's it. The Rapture happens and all the world will know of the disappearance of millions of people.
What is astounding is how quickly the world will believe the lies they will be told as to where everyone went. But then again read John 6:22-44. Jesus had JUST fed the multitudes. They SAW that miracle for themselves. Within 1 day they had the effect of that proof of who Jesus was taken from their hearts and minds by Satan. The world that's left behind will experience the same. Read of what Jesus explained of the sowing of the seeds of the Word of God. Satan comes and snatches it away to keep it from growing.
When you come to Christ you are both His workmanship and His man or woman on the ground with something to do for the Kingdom of God.
You have something to be doing for Him.
You aren't to be living for yourself, your family or friends. You don't read anything about taking up anyone's cross but your own.
So much of the damage to the professing Church has been done by people claiming to be teaching them what God didn't say.
If the professing Church taught nothing but the whole counsel of God the world would be a radically different place. God's not going to rewrite the Bible to suit the life we live. He said that not one part of it will ever be stopped from coming true. He wrote that marriage is between one man and one woman then that's what it is. He said that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man comes to the Father but through Him. That's it. No other way to Heaven is possible. He said that to die in your sin means Hell as your future then Hell will be your future if you don't come to Christ. He said that in the last days people will be lovers of themselves, haters of good. He provided a list. That is exactly how people are being.
It isn't about our personal happiness or anything else. We who are in Christ have a mission to complete. The same as what Jesus said in the Great Commission.
Who cares what you achieve in this life if it isn't what Jesus wanted you to do, you failed at life.
If you have great ideas and can change the world with them, it matters not if your plans and achievements are not working with His Plans they will not come about.
You are not here for you.
We are here for Christ or we wouldn't be here. We don't know what tomorrow holds but we know who holds tomorrow in His hands.
Jeremiah was given the role of being the weeping Prophet. Does that sound at all like health, wealth or prosperity? Job was living life and all the sudden it all was removed except his Wife, who urged him to curse God and die. He, after Jesus was done, was indeed blessed more than he haf been before, but it never says he knew why he went through it all. Daniel and his friends were exiled. Went to Babylon to live our their lives. Never to see Israel again. That wasn't winning the lottery.
Stephen was living strong for the Lord. Was stoned to death. James was beheaded.
Where do you get the idea that your life is going to be all peaches and cream?
Where do you get the notion to ask for God to make it that way?
He is God, we are not. His ways are higher than ours, His thoughts higher than ours.
He's trying to save mankind and of all things is waiting on each person to come to Christ or reject Him by waiting for them all one at a time. Every single person will be without excuse when they stand before Christ. Nobody going to be able to say they were rushed. That they didn't have time. What about those who die quickly? Remember He is God, you are not. He knows your end from your beginning. He knows who won't be convinced no matter what proofs are given.
In no way is God being unjust. He is aware of every possible outcome of every possible thought we have. Of every single decision we might make.
Living in obedience is where we are to be. Not in any other way. We may not understand what or why we are to do what we go through, but we can know that by living in obedience He is there with us.
He may show you that you need to move. He may show you to stay where you are.
He may have you experience life in ways that make no sense to you or others in your life. It only on you to trust and obey.
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