[Devoted1]

"Asking With The Right Heart Motive"
By: Zach Wood
John 15:7
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.


How many of you were selfish as a child? Did you hope to get anything and everything you asked for? If you went grocery shopping, did you ask your mom for everything on the shelf that contained sugar? I pretty much did. I can still remember the fun times my mother and I had going shopping together. Even though my mother did bless me and spoil me a bit during our times of shopping, we still got things we needed for the household and not just for me. But I remember begging her and telling her how good I would be if she would only get this or that. What a bribe, huh??? I'm sure none of you ever did that to your mom or dad!

I have to admit that I asked for a lot of things from my parents. Many of those things were asked in a selfish way. I wanted things to make me happy. I thought if I phrases words in the right way and asked things in a sneaky sounding way, that I would convince my parents to buy anything for me. Not all the time, but quite often.

I think many of us treat God the same way. We think if we say the right words or do the right things that God will give us anything and everything we want. Yes, it's true that God wishes to shower blessing upon blessing down for us. However, God wants us to have a gracious attitude toward the things He gives us and appreciate what He has already done. John 15 is a beautiful chapter about remaining attached to the Vine that provides life and nourishment. There are many passages of Scripture that refer to asking and receiving, but we must remember that we have to obtain the proper heart condition and frame of mind to receive. If we remain in God's Word and only wish to have what He wants for us, then we will naturally ask for things which are important for our growth and development as a disciple of Christ. You and I cannot just expect to throw up a request to God every so often, read a few passages of Scripture and say that we're following His Word and only want what's best in His eyes. We must remain in Him and His Word to learn and realize what He truly wants for us. He wants us to grow in faith, truth, compassion for others and a desire to further the Kingdom. If our requests and petitions to have something in our lives comes right from our heart and not just from a "want attitude", God will gladly and lovingly give to us.

It makes sense, really. If we are in Him and He in us, we will only desire what He wants in our lives and not for our selfish gain. We ask, seek and knock, desiring only to be used to further the Kingdom and be a blessing to others, He will shower down so many blessings. However, if we only ask to please ourselves, He'll see our heart condition and remind us that it's about Him and not our "want attitude".

We cannot fool God. He knows when we're asking for something for our selfish gain. We shouldn't expect God to spoil us and give us blessings if we have a selfish heart and attitude. When we're following Him closely and only desiring to have things in order to advance the Kingdom, He will give to us abundantly. It's all about our heart's motive and attitude. Remain in His Word and in line with what He desires, and He will grant the requests of your heart.