dead hard drive...ASK and RECEIVE

So one of my computer hard drives is officially dead now... rest in peace, my dear electronic servant, Maxtor. You truly sucked but thank you for all your faithful work.
I need a new and better computer, God! I don't know how much longer this computer will stay alive, but I desperately need to some cash to buy one. Lord, I receive a new computer by faith! Amen!

Here is a summary of this past Sunday's sermon. I receive it too!

Ask and Receive (Matthew 7:7-12)

1. Keep on Asking, Seeking, Knocking
It’s never a onetime deal when you ask, seek and knock. God is looking for those who are consistently seeking and asking. In the original text, it is a present tense; meaning never giving up on chasing after God.

2. Begin to receive, not to be deceived.
When we ask, we must expect to receive! God is not a cheap God! It’s a chain reaction; he who knocks the door will be opened, he who asks receives, he who seeks finds.
We’re often deceived by the enemy. One of the enemy’s tricks is to use the perception, which isn’t always reality.

"The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too" (1 Kings 19:14).

Perception is not always reality. Elijah was in a crisis. Jezebel wanted to kill him. The nation was falling to Baal worship. From his vantage point - it was all over. He was the only prophet remaining in all the land who had not bent his knee to the idol of Baal. He wanted to die.

Then, the Lord sent His angel to correct Elijah's perception: "Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel - all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him" (1 Kings 19:18). There were seven thousand Elijah knew nothing about! Elijah's perception was not reality.
Whenever things are going poorly, there is a temptation to believe God is not working in the situation. We may even believe our life is over. Everything from our vantage point is dark. We see no future. However, even in these times, God's plan is being orchestrated behind the scenes. He is accomplishing His purposes. But we need a fresh perspective on our situation.
Do you need a reality check on your situation? Ask God to show you the truth. It may be very different than your perception.

3. Develop a right attitude of receiving
“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3)

When you pray,
The timing is wrong and the attitude is inappropriate, God says “NO.”
The timing is wrong and the attitude is appropriate, God says “HOLD.”
The timing is right and the attitude is inappropriate, God says “GROW.”
The timing is right and the attitude is appropriate, God says “GO.”


4. Prepare to receive
In the movie, Facing the giants, the Reverend felt led by God to tell this football coach a story. There are two farmers who needed rain desperately. Both prayed for it, but only one went out to prepare to receive it. Who do you think trusted god to bring the rain? - The one who prepared for it of course. Which side are you on? God will bring the rain when he is ready, you got to prepare your field to receive it."

2 Chronicles 7:14-15If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.