There is a misconception in understanding what God wants to say through his scripture and the way we understand. For example: The passage many uses when they are challenged with many difficulties in life: is from Philippians 4:13 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 13 I can do all things [a]through Him who strengthens me. Paul wrote this passage to indicate his financial needs are met with the Grace of God.
Some other passage people use to claim what God has not interested in giving are:
Psalm 37:4 NIV
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
In fact if we were to look this scripture very carefully, we understand that God takes delight only in pleasing him and not that we get the things of this world. If we were to really delight in LORD, means that our desires or our heart will be to please him through faith and obedience.
Luke 12:15 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
15 Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."
So, what shall we ask for? when Jesus says: ASK and it will be given to you? are we still going to ask for the worldly things? his will to be done? let us see what Jesus mean, when he said "ASK".
ASK FOR HOLY SPIRIT
Matthew 7:7-12 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Prayer and the Golden Rule
7 “[a]Ask, and it will be given to you; [b]seek, and you will find; [c]knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you [d]who, when his son asks for a loaf, [e]will give him a stone? 10 Or [f]if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
12 “In everything, therefore, [g]treat people the same way you want [h]them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Luke 11:9-13New American Standard Bible (NASB)
9 “So I say to you, [a]ask, and it will be given to you; [b]seek, and you will find; [c]knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. 11 Now [d]suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a [e]fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your [f]heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
One of the things that David pleads God for is to ask for Holy Spirit not to be taken from him. Because David knows the importance of being at the presence of God and being with the God's presence - Holy Spirit.
Psalm 51:11 NIV
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
ASK FOR WISDOM
2 Chronicles 1:7-12 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7 In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.”
Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom
8 Solomon said to God, “You have dealt with my father David with great lovingkindness, and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, O Lord God, Your [a]promise to my father David is fulfilled, for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?” 11 God said to Solomon, “Because [b]you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king, 12 wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, [c]such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will [d]come after you.”
James 1:5 NIV
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV
However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" -- the things God has prepared for those who love him--
1 John 5:14-15 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
14 This is the confidence which we have [a]before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
Some other passage people use to claim what God has not interested in giving are:
Psalm 37:4 NIV
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
In fact if we were to look this scripture very carefully, we understand that God takes delight only in pleasing him and not that we get the things of this world. If we were to really delight in LORD, means that our desires or our heart will be to please him through faith and obedience.
Luke 12:15 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
15 Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."
So, what shall we ask for? when Jesus says: ASK and it will be given to you? are we still going to ask for the worldly things? his will to be done? let us see what Jesus mean, when he said "ASK".
ASK FOR HOLY SPIRIT
Matthew 7:7-12 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Prayer and the Golden Rule
7 “[a]Ask, and it will be given to you; [b]seek, and you will find; [c]knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you [d]who, when his son asks for a loaf, [e]will give him a stone? 10 Or [f]if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
12 “In everything, therefore, [g]treat people the same way you want [h]them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Luke 11:9-13New American Standard Bible (NASB)
9 “So I say to you, [a]ask, and it will be given to you; [b]seek, and you will find; [c]knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. 11 Now [d]suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a [e]fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your [f]heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
One of the things that David pleads God for is to ask for Holy Spirit not to be taken from him. Because David knows the importance of being at the presence of God and being with the God's presence - Holy Spirit.
Psalm 51:11 NIV
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
ASK FOR WISDOM
2 Chronicles 1:7-12 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7 In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.”
Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom
8 Solomon said to God, “You have dealt with my father David with great lovingkindness, and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, O Lord God, Your [a]promise to my father David is fulfilled, for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?” 11 God said to Solomon, “Because [b]you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king, 12 wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, [c]such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will [d]come after you.”
James 1:5 NIV
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV
However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" -- the things God has prepared for those who love him--
1 John 5:14-15 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
14 This is the confidence which we have [a]before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
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