Be Careful What You Ask For!

by Tim Howard

It was a joke and I laughed when I heard it! A couple in their mid-fifties was trying to rekindle a spark in their marriage when they were approached by a “Genie.” This strange character stated that he would give each of them one wish beginning with the woman. She, without hesitation, recalled their honeymoon on the tropical island of Maui and said, please put us on that beautiful beach so we can walk together and renew our love. Instantly the beauty of a tropical paradise surrounded them. The man, after looking around and seeing other women 20 years younger than himself, asked the Genie to make his wife 20 years younger than himself. In an instant, he was 75 years old! You may be laughing like me but don’t miss the moral. It is this: Be careful what you ask for! Sometimes your request produces something quite unexpected.

The Bible makes it very clear that we can ask God for anything. If, however, you are bold enough to make a request, you better be prepared for one of four answers.

1.    If the request is wrong, God will say “No.” The apostle James in Chapter 4 tells us that it is possible to ask for things that might be detrimental to our development. Along with that fact, he also reveals that it is possible to ask for something with wrong motives. When this happens, be prepared for God to say “No.” With hindsight, I have discovered this to be a blessing rather than a curse. God has spared me from many disasters by not fulfilling my desires because what I want isn’t always what’s best for me.

2.    If the timing is wrong, God will say, “Slow.” Little children want everything “Now” and my children were no exception. They didn’t understand the phrase, delayed gratification. They have learned, however, that timing is extremely important in the journey called life. Many people miss out on a lot of things and get buried in a lot of problems because they will not choose to exercise patience and self-control. 

3.    If you are not yet ready to receive the request, God will say “Grow.” Sometimes, God wants to throw us the ball but we don’t have our heads in the game. We are distracted by many pleasures at the expense of pursuing our purpose. God graciously waits for us and speaks the truth in love so we will grow up in all aspects.

4.    Last of all, when the timing is right, you are right and the request is right, God says, “Yes, Let’s Go” I personally believe this is God’s favorite answer. He wants to say YES!

God ALWAYS answers prayer! It may not be the answer you want but it’s an answer you can accept if you know this truth: God doesn’t always give you what you want but he always gives you what you need. God loves you enough to say no, slow or grow even though it may produce some pain. Jesus wants to help you! He says: Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell Him what you need, and thank God for all he has done.  If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. If God approached you and said He would answer one prayer, what would your request be?

Knock-Knock - Who’s There?

by Tim Howard

Have you ever heard a knock at the front door of your home and wondered who it was? Is it someone selling magazines; is it someone wanting to steam clean you carpets for a really great deal or maybe a young child trying to sell candy bars for a school project? To solve the mystery you only need to go to the door, open it up and then you will see who is there.

In the Bible, John the apostle wrote the book of Revelation and in Chapter 3, verse 20, he uses figurative language to tell us what God says.  “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

I can understand why a person would not want to answer the door when someone comes knocking late at night or early in the morning.  More often than not, those who are doing the knocking aren’t there for your benefit but seeking to solicit something from you.  They want to take and not give.  But what if the person who is knocking has your best interest in mind?  Maybe he or she is knocking to say the windows in your car are down and it’s raining.  Possibly it’s a neighbor who wants to tell you he gave away his dog that constantly barks.  What if it was those from Reader’s Digest to notify you that you are the grand prizewinner of the sweepstakes?  Wouldn’t you run to the door and open it?

God doesn’t come to take anything from you because He already has everything. Col. 1:16 tells us this truth, “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.”  He doesn’t need what you have!  He knocks on your door because you need what He has!  He knocks because He wants to develop a relationship and share His wealth with you. When you open the door to Jesus, you begin a two-way relationship.  It’s not a monologue but a dialogue.  He eats with you and you get to eat with Him.

In 1973, a song called Knockin' on Heaven's Door, was written and performed by Bob Dylan for the soundtrack of the 1973 film Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid.  It was about a sheriff who had been fatally shot and as darkness set in he began to knock on heaven’s door. The good news from the Bible is that you don’t need to have a near death experience in order to have a relationship with God. He’s reaching out to you right now. You do, however, have to open the door and invite Him in.

Not too long ago I heard a knock at my front door. It was after 8 pm but I opened the door regardless of the time and found my neighbor on my steps. They had a delicious Apple Pie for us in case we wanted something sweet to eat before we retired for the night. Great Neighbors!  I would have missed a delicious dessert if I hadn’t opened the door?  

Don’t miss what God has in store for you. Open the door to Jesus and invite Him in.  You won’t be disappointed!

Pastor Tim Howard is the Lead Pastor at Koinonia Church. Any comments can be sent to: tim@kcfchurch.org