Bible Verse of The Day – 10-28-20

James 4:3 (NKJV) 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

In yesterday’s devotional, we ended by talking about the fact that the Christians being addressed by James were acting only by their carnal nature, not allowing God to speak to them, show them what their true needs were, and then let Him provide it for them simply by them asking Him to do so.

Here in verse 3, James took it a step further by speaking directly to them, as James is so good at doing.

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss”.

There is so much we can learn from that small piece of wisdom.

Amiss: inappropriate or out of place

These believers were, for the most part, not even asking God to supply their needs. They were simply taking matters into their own hands and obtaining it by whatever means were necessary.

Then, when they did ask, they didn’t get what they asked for.

Why?

Because their asking was inappropriate.

They were asking for what would fulfill their sinful desires, not for what would bring God’s will about in their lives.

Their asking was 100% self-motivated. They sought simply to fulfill their lusts and desires, using God as the means by which their covetousness would be satisfied.

We should expect unbelievers to seek things for their own pleasures because they are driven by their fleshly nature. After all, they live by the flesh, not by the Spirit.

Believers, on the other hand, should understand that God is our source, and it is His provision that we should be seeking.

Anytime we, as believers, attempt to facilitate our personal pleasures through prayer, we are “asking amiss”.

Jesus taught that the kingdom of God should always be our first priority in everything we seek.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

When God’s kingdom is our first priority, our asking will change. We will no longer spend our time and efforts on self-seeking requests.

Instead, our time and efforts will be focused on what pleases God, transforms us into who He wants us to be, and furthers His kingdom, both in our own lives and in the kingdom of God as a whole.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our latest teaching series.

Sincerely in Christ,

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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