RECEIVING
23rd Oct 2024
Some months ago I was praying, asking the Lord to help me in a specific situation, and much to my surprise, I heard Him say, “You’re very good at asking, but very poor at receiving!”
I recognised the truth in this rebuke, and since have acknowledged my reluctance to believe and receive, and have asked to be taught how to be a quick receiver, how to live in expectancy, and how to exercise faith in what God has promised to give - I’m learning!
During this time I have been amazed at how many believers are ignoring, or are ignorant of God’s promises, and live in lack, when heavenly resources are available.
Over a long period of time I prayed to be filled with the God’s Holy Spirit. I wanted to pray in tongues, to interpret tongues and exercise all spiritual gifts seen demonstrated in the Bible. Was prayed for often, had hands laid on me, and waited for something to happen. One day I was reading in Luke 11:13, “If you know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
I had certainly asked, begged, but not received. The promise from heaven was written in black and white, but I needed to believe it. And so I repented of my unbelief and started to thank Father God for His gracious, generous, wonderful Holy Spirit. I received and thanked and began to experience the life of the Spirit. I saw my foolishness and unbelief as I began to take hold of God’s promises, written in scripture.
Today He has promised you peace - My peace I give to you. John 14:27
He has promised you wisdom - James 1:5
He has promised you joy - Psalm 21:6
He has promised you comfort - 2 Corinthians 1:4
God’s heart towards His people is to bless, to provide, to give all that they need. He has no limits to all He longs to give us. Our receiving is the limiting factor! Receiving needs to be based on promise. What God says is what He will do. So keep reading His Word and asking the Holy Spirit for revelation, understanding and faith.
For many years our income came directly from the Lord. He always provided, but sometimes the timing was outside our comfort zone. One time I needed to get new shoes for several of our growing children. It was a big expense and we were out of money. I had taken the children to school, and as I returned home I was complaining to the Lord and asking him for money for shoes. He spoke through scripture from Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
He reminded me of the cost of giving us Jesus, and now in comparison shoes were insignificant and He would provide - and He did!
Your heavenly Father wants to meet your needs - ask, believe and receive for yourself and those you are praying for.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
