THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 413

Because you are now the sons and daughters of God, you may ask what you will and it shall be given to you. In fact, each and every one of us as members of the body of Christ are inheritors of all things. If one does not ask then he or she may be deprived of their rightful inheritance. For it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Indeed, God has already proven that He will not withhold any good thing from all those who love Him!

Sometimes, however, individuals make requests that are essentially amiss. In this context, they might have asked for gifts that reflect the consumption of their own desires. But God being God knows only how to give good gifts to His children who are His offspring. So in this context, it is fair to say that some of our requests may be withheld, but for good reason.

Still, God loves you and I beyond measure. For whilst we were still dead in trespasses and sin, He sought us out taking upon His own body all our demerits(and all this while we were estranged from Him). Yes, JESUS willingly paid the redemptive price in full. There is no follow-up debt to repay. Indeed, the only outstanding debt is that we ought to come to the realization that there is no love greater than the love of God toward us.

JESUS said, "If you have not asked, ask now." If JESUS thought that asking was only a gimmick or some form of enticement, then why would JESUS say if you have not asked, ask now. And consequently, why would we negate the prod of asking when we know that by not asking, we are most definitely not going to receive.

Let's consider the following analogy. Faith on our part is like an experiment. We are not sure whether asking for anything will result in a gift. Or, perhaps, we feel foolish or doubtful asking God for something simply because we have been negatively programmed by religion and/or atheistic teachers not to ask. Unfortunately, these are often the same forces that outwardly profess that in God they trust and yet, they have no idea as to who God is. Let them be. They are where you once were but no longer are. Why is this? Because God now rules and reigns within you! Inside you.

In a similar context, Israel of old wanted a King or President or dictator because they wanted to be like all the other surrounding nations. When the prophet spoke to the Lord concerning this matter, God said - paraphrasing - let them go to it. Go tell them what is about to befall them. They will lose all benefits, their sons and daughters will be subservient to their rule, and their pockets will be emptied. These days of lords and ladies are still with us today. We trample the grapes and they drink the wine. Such was not the political structures when the people diligently hearken to His voice.

Still, we are looking for a kingdom whose builder and maker is God. Through faith in JESUS (who is the builder of the Kingdom of God) we are now citizens of that Kingdom. We are no longer strangers or foreigners but fellow citizens with all of God’s redeemed family! As such, we are fully aware of God’s indwelling presence. Listen to the voice within and you will find, as have other members of the body of Christ that things seem to appear different. In reality, they are not different. What has happened is that you have changed. We have been changed! We see clearly because the scales of unbelieving deceptiveness have fallen from our eyes.

Yes, truly we have been born again - born of God. Enjoy peace with God. Sit as it were in heavenly places for you indeed are His offspring!