To Live is Christ

   In the Book of James, the brother of Jesus tells the church something startling.  He writes, “You do not have, because you do not ask.” (James 4:2b).  This means that there are blessings we have forfeited simply because we have not done the simple task of asking our Heavenly Father for them.      Here you may become excited thinking, “I want to receive the blessing I ask for, so I will ask!” and this may be true.  You who ask in Christ’s name and for the purpose of His will may receive the very thing you ask for.  But the Scriptures give reason for us to be excited about receiving blessings we did not ask for in response to our requests.    We need only look at God’s answer to a famous prayer of the apostle Paul’s to know that this is true.  In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian church, Paul writes of a thorn that God placed in his flesh to keep him from becoming conceited (2 Cor 12:6-7) .  Three times Paul pleads with the Lord to remove the thorn.  Jesus gives His answer, bu

Our hope is that we will see Jesus Our confidence: that He is with us now Hope and Confidence birth action— The spreading of seed—Toil—Plow We are wheat among tares In appearance both the same Nothing to distinguish us But the day of reaping—Fire—Flame To know is to be responsible Know that reconciliation is our ministry Know that your hope could be your neighbors Know that the Truth sets people free But how can they know unless they hear And how can they hear unless we speak God’s sovereignty is not at odds With our call to testify Bear witness!—Represent!—Preach! So if there is any encouragement in Christ Any comfort from His love Any participation in His Spirit Be of the same mind Faith. Hope. Love!