Thank God! Some Requests are Denied...

Heart of Worship

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Mark 10:35-45 (NKJV) part 2


Request denied...


³⁵ Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”
³⁶ And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
³⁷ They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”
³⁸ But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
³⁹ They said to Him, “We are able.”
So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; ⁴⁰but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”
⁴¹ And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. ⁴² But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. ⁴³ Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. ⁴⁴ And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

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Don't we wish God would do whatever we ask?  We should be thankful that He doesn't; because most of the time our limited understanding doesn't really know what we need.  He alone is God, He really doesn't need our help/direction to be incredibly blunt.  Jesus didn't ridicule James and John for asking, He listened; but He did deny their request.  We can feel free to ask God for anything, but we need to get it together and ask  ACCORDING TO HIS WORD.  God wants to give us what is best and purposed for us, not merely what we want.  He denies some requests for our own good.  For most of us, our request should be to know His Will.

Some of you may be asking, "What about the scripture that says, 'If I ask for anything, I shall receive it' ?" (John 14:14)  Please KNOW who God is;  He is the God of ORDER and He cannot act against Himself.  If you're asking for things that do not honor His Word; things that are NOT of His order, commonsense alone should tell us "it's time to change that request."  Sometimes delay, is the Holy Spirit telling you "That's not of God."

Have you ever received what you prayed  for, just to get mad at Him for how it turned out?  For example, that job you thought was His blessing; and you ended up hating it (LORD speak!  I know He is talking to more than me here!).  It's time to take ownership over OUR CHOICES, often times we pursue and wait for things that God never said to pursue or wait for.  There are always doors of opportunity available to us, it doesn't mean we're suppose to enter them; YET, we do anyway.  Most of the time we complain to God when things don't work out.  Don't forget, we're given the power of CHOICE; and our choices deliver to us a lot more than we give "choice" credit for.

Truth today: 

1. Take ownership of our choices and ask God for forgiveness and correction.
2. Get closer to the Holy Spirit, so our requests of Jesus can be of His Will and our choices can be guided by Him.

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Daily Prayer: Hallelujah Father!  You are speaking to Your people today and we thank You.  Thank You for enlightening us just in time.  I pray that we each receive exactly what You have purposed for us to receive today.  Thank You God for being the LORD of purpose and order.  I pray that our choices align with Your purpose and order so that we each accomplish exactly what You created us to do.  LORD, as we pray,  let us choose to forgive all those who have offended us in any way.  I ask that You not allow any bitterness to root within anyone who desires to be free.  Allow Your Spirit to have way with me.  May we not depend on our own strength, way, or plans; but choose to trust You in everything.  For You are the one who gives His children victory!  It is by Your right hand andstrong-arm and the blinding light from Your face that helps us, for You love each of us.  O God, may we give glory to You all day long and constantly praise Your Name.  In the mighty Name of Jesus, amen (Psalm 44).