* When God calls you to build something, whatever it is, He wants to be involved.

* Terms:

* Pattern - a model, or example to follow.

* Process - a series of steps that complete a task.

* (A pattern shows the ORDER of something. A process is the mechanism that created and maintains that ORDER).

* Story - I was at the beach, feeling a gut-ache about all I have to build for a new biz.

* Then I read Oswald Chambers - God will give us the Holy Spirit when we ask.

* I was reminded of the story Jesus taught in Luke 11.

* I jumped in my Bible and discovered a 4-Step process that I could apply to business or my family or anything I wanted to build.

* Backstory - one of Christ’s disciples asked if Jesus could teach them how to pray.

* He liked that request, so He gave them what they asked for.

* He gave the pattern first, then the process.

* Four Step Process (vs 5-13):

* STEP 1 - ASK! (Vs 5-6) Asking puts you in the right posture (you have to admit you don’t have what you need and the person you’re asking does). Three Aspects:

* 1) You ask “your friend” - this is the Holy Spirit (Psalms 25:14 - “God is the friend of those who fear Him…” / God “confides” in those who fear Him…”)

* 2) You ask for others - it’s not about getting something for yourself (entrepreneur goes in between a person w/a problem and brings a solution).

* 3) You promise payback - “lend” me three loaves (man in house could start a biz called Bread Buddy - our doors are always open!)

* What do we ask?

* We ask FOR the Holy Spirit - knock on the door. (Confession brings His presence)

* We ask FROM the Holy Spirit - make your request.

* Fill Me! (Balloon)

* Fuel Me!

* STEP 2 - RECEIVE! (Vs 7-8) You’ll get what you ask not on the basis of friendship, but on the basis of persistence!

* You should ask the HS w/an expectation to receive.

* When you receive it, make it your own (before you divulge, digest).

* The HS knows what your customers need more than you.

* STEP 3 - PRESENT! You don’t receive it to give it - you receive it to “present” it (Ruth’s Chris). * * Presenting something means preparation.

* Preparation is hard work (Ruth’s perfected their recipes).

* Cain failed in this area - he presented a sub-par sacrifice.

* Mindset - your work is worship (your attempt to make God smile).

* STEP 4 - REMOVE! When you ask, receive, and present, people will like what you gave them.

* In that moment, remove yourself from the equation so the transaction can be between God and the customer.

* These four steps will help you build on the solid rock so that what you build WILL BE ESTABLISHED!