Don't Look To No One Else To Give You What God Can And Will

Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die!” 2 And Jacob’s anger was aroused against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” Genesis 30:1-2

Rachael expresses the sentiments that some of us may feel at one time or another. The thing that we want so badly that we feel will make us complete but we don't have. For some it may be a child as in Rachael's case, or a loving husband or wife, your own business or a good-paying job, a mansion on a hill etc. We each have a burning desire to attain or have something that we want. What if we felt like a person was in the position or had the power to give you that thing and they wouldn't or couldn't. Wouldn't you be angry at them? Wouldn't you sound desperate when relaying how you felt? In Rachael's case, she told her husband to give her children or she would die. That is the cry of a desperate woman, a woman who filled with envy, is sorrowful and even heartbroken that she can't give her husband a child. Imagine

And Whatever Things You Ask In Prayer, Believing, You Will Receive

There is an incredible promise in Matthew 21:22 that can transform how we approach God in prayer: "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." At first glance, this scripture might seem like a blank check for whatever we desire. But as we dig deeper into the context of this promise, we begin to see that it’s not simply about asking—it’s about faith, trust, and aligning our hearts with God’s will.

When Jesus said these words, He was teaching His disciples the importance of faith in prayer. Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Our prayers must be filled with faith, not just in the act of asking, but in the God we are praying to. Do we truly believe that God is able to answer? Do we trust that His answer—whether yes, no, or wait—will always be for our good?

1. Prayer and Faith Go Hand in Hand

Prayer is not simply a ritual; it is an act of communion with God, where we bring our needs, desires, and burdens before Him. But without faith, prayer loses its power. In James 1:6, we are encouraged to “ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” When we pray, we must pray with confidence, not in our ability to get what we want, but in God’s ability to answer according to His perfect plan.

There’s a reason Jesus emphasized believing in this passage. Faith unlocks the door to God's supernatural provision. Jesus said in Mark 11:24, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” He wasn’t telling us to demand things of God like He’s a genie but to pray with a deep trust that our Heavenly Father knows exactly what we need.

2. Aligning Our Prayers with God’s Will

When we think about asking and receiving in prayer, it’s essential to remember that our requests should align with God’s will. 1 John 5:14 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” The power of our prayers comes not from the strength of our desires but from our willingness to surrender those desires to God’s perfect will.

Often, we may ask for things in prayer that we believe are good for us, but God sees the bigger picture. He knows what we truly need, and sometimes His answer is different from what we expect. When we pray, we should ask God to align our hearts with His, seeking His will above all.

3. Trusting God’s Timing and Response

One of the challenges we face when asking in prayer is waiting for God’s response. It can be easy to get discouraged when we don’t see immediate results. But God’s timing is always perfect. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” We might not always understand why God’s answer looks different than what we imagined or why it seems delayed, but we can trust that He is working for our good.

When we pray believing, we trust that God is in control, even when the outcome is different from what we hoped for. Romans 8:28 assures us that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Whether we see the answer immediately or have to wait, God is always faithful to hear us and respond in a way that fulfills His purposes.

4. Believing in God's Power, Not Our Own

Another important aspect of this scripture is that it shifts the focus from our ability to receive to God’s power to provide. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” When we pray, we are tapping into the limitless power of God, not just our own limited vision of what we think we need.

God is not only able to meet our needs—He is able to exceed our expectations. But we must come to Him with the right heart, praying in faith, and trusting His plan, even when it doesn’t look like our own. Matthew 6:33 gives us this vital instruction: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” When we put God’s will first, He takes care of everything else.

Pray Boldly, Trust Fully

As believers, we are called to pray boldly, believing in God’s power and goodness. Matthew 7:7-8 encourages us, “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; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” God wants us to come to Him with our needs, our hopes, and our dreams, trusting Him with the outcome.

As you pray, believe not just in the answer but in the One who is answering. Let your faith be anchored in God’s character and His promises, knowing that He is always faithful. Trust that whatever you ask in prayer, and believing, you will receive according to His perfect will and timing.

May your prayers be filled with faith and trust in the One who hears every word.

For We Walk By Faith, Not By Sight

Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God. In 2 Corinthians 5:7, we are reminded of a simple yet profound truth: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” These words call us to live in a way that doesn’t depend on what we can see or understand in the moment but to trust completely in God's unseen hand guiding us.

1. Faith in the Unseen

Walking by faith means trusting in God’s promises, even when our circumstances don’t make sense or when we can’t see the outcome. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as, “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” It’s easy to have faith when everything is going well, but the true test of faith comes in the moments when the path ahead seems unclear or uncertain.

Think about the Israelites in the wilderness. They had no map, no clear understanding of how long they would wander, but God led them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22). They had to trust that God was guiding them, even though they couldn’t see the full picture.

In our own lives, we often face seasons where we don’t understand why things are happening the way they are. Maybe it’s a challenge at work, a difficult relationship, or a time of waiting that feels never-ending. In these moments, Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Walking by faith means letting go of the need to understand everything and trusting that God has a purpose for every step we take.

2. Trusting God's Timing

When we walk by sight, we often become impatient, wanting answers and solutions right away. But walking by faith means trusting God’s timing, even when we feel like nothing is happening. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

God’s timing is always perfect, even when it doesn’t align with our own expectations. In the waiting, He is working—preparing us, strengthening us, and aligning things according to His plan. When we walk by faith, we rest in the knowledge that He is never late. Every moment of waiting is a part of the journey He has mapped out for us, even when we can’t see it yet.

3. Walking by Faith Requires Surrender

One of the biggest challenges of walking by faith is the need to surrender control. We like to know what’s coming next, to have a plan in place, and to see how things will unfold. But walking by faith requires us to surrender those desires and to trust that God is in control.

Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us of God's good plans for us: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” When we surrender our plans to Him, we can walk forward in confidence, knowing that His plans are always for our good, even when they look different from what we expected.

4. Faith Strengthens Us Through Trials

Walking by faith doesn’t mean we will never face difficulties or challenges. In fact, the Bible tells us that trials are often a part of the journey. James 1:2-3 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

When we face difficulties, it’s easy to become discouraged if we are walking by sight. But faith allows us to see beyond the immediate struggle and trust that God is using every challenge to strengthen us and deepen our reliance on Him. Romans 8:28 reminds us that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Our trials are never wasted when we trust God with them.

5. Faith Leads to Obedience

When we walk by faith, it leads us to a life of obedience to God, even when His commands seem difficult or confusing. Think of Abraham, who was asked by God to leave his home and go to a land he had never seen. Hebrews 11:8 says, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”

Abraham didn’t have a clear map or a timeline, but he trusted God and walked in obedience. Walking by faith means that we step out in obedience, trusting that God knows the way, even when we don’t.

Conclusion: Living a Life of Faith

Walking by faith is not always easy. It requires trust, surrender, patience, and a deep belief in God's goodness and faithfulness. But as we take each step, even when we can’t see the way ahead, we can trust that God is with us, guiding us, and working all things for our good. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” God may not show us the whole journey at once, but He gives us enough light for the next step, and that is enough.

As we walk by faith, not by sight, let us be encouraged by the words of 2 Corinthians 4:18: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Our hope and trust are in God, not in our circumstances. Let’s continue to walk forward in faith, trusting that He will lead us every step of the way.

I have no fear the Lord is my all I need

The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? Psalms 27:1


David said that the Lord is his light - where there is light, no darkness can penetrate through. He is our salvation - The Lord our God is able to save us from anything that tries to harm us. The Lord is our strength of life - He keeps us alive, and He gives us strength to sustain us.

 
Knowing all of this now, who shall you be afraid of? If you know what the Lord is to you, why should anything or anyone make you afraid? When you know the Lord, truly know Him and who He is to you based on scripture and the many blessings He alone has bestowed upon you, holding on to those truths far outweighs the fear we may feel at any point in our lives. Who God is will last forever, can we say the same about momentary fear?

 
David knew who the Lord represented to him because he had a personal relationship with God and personal experiences with God. Let us draw nearer to the Lord and replace the fear etc. with the knowledge of Him. That alone is enough to banish any fear in our hearts.

God bless you and keep you. If this message has been a blessing to you, share it with a friend. Have a great day!

Sin living in me

19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. Romans 7:19-20

We fight with our flesh or our sinful nature daily. I know I do. Sometimes I may come from reading God's word, internalizing it, and feel like "Yes! I am delivered from this sinful nature!" But I turn around and do something that totally contradicts who I say I am, what I talk about, and what my goal is as a believer. There is a battle between the spirit and flesh and the mind and body.

 
Do not be discouraged if you make mistakes, do not stop striving for excellence. Paul goes on to say that God has delivered us through Jesus Christ. Let us keep our minds right as in it lies the law of God and put our bodies under subjection as there lies the law of sin.