Fundamentals: Prayer

Have you ever wondered why God doesn't grant every prayer we pray? As a pastor this is a question that I get asked all the time. The question goes something like this; "the Bible says ‘ask and it will be given to.' I keep asking so why haven't I received anything?" Let's look at this verse:

Matt 7:7-11 "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; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you, if his 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!

1. God says: the request is wrong. Mark 10:35, Luke 9:51-55

2. God says: the timing is wrong. Isaiah 55:8

3. God says: you are wrong. Matthew 5:23-24

4. God says: you, the request and the timing are right.

God wants what is best for us. I doubt that many of us understand just how badly He wants to touch that difficult situation or move that immovable mountain in our path. When we pray and all these things line up, we are in God's plan and the time is right then God says LETS GO because we matter to him and it’s in his heart to meet your needs and grant your requests.

"Loving God, Loving People"

Mark 12:28-34

What matters to God the most? What are the basic fundamentals of following Him?

1. Which of these commands is the most important?

2. Loving God

3. Loving People

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Action Steps!!! Luke 2:22-38

1. Become a Marvelour!!! Luke 2:33 Lets see if we can help you visualize what this might be like!!

2. Become a Mover Luke 2:27 and Luke 2:38

3. Become a Messenger Luke 2:38

God calls us to bring our hearts into alignment with His--to lift our eyes and see the wonder....to become Marvelours!! To open our hearts to His Spirit and allow Him to motivate us to become Movers!!! When God ask us to go.....we go!! To open our lips and be ready to share the message.... perhaps with a little more enthusiasm than Jonah. This Christmas season is the right time for us to become Marvelours, Movers and Messengers!

Luke 2:22-38

1. "Cleanliness is next to godliness" Matt. 15:1-6, 17-20. Luke 11:37-39

2. “God helps those who help themselves.” Matt. 19:16-26

3. “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” 1 Cor. 10:13

4. “God just wants me to be happy.” Ecc. 3:12 Ecc. 2:26 Jonah 4:1-11

5. “We’re all God’s children.” John 1:12-13

1. Tim Tebow: "the trinkernization" of Philippians 4:13

2. Joel Osteen "...people focus on their shortcomings and limitations...but Scripture makes it clear all things are possible to those that believe."

3 What happens when misunderstanding scripture gives birth a new way to believe?

4. Let's take a look for ourselves... Philippians 4:1-13