CAN GOD DO WHAT I WANT?

*TODAY'S TIP: CAN GOD DO WHAT I WANT?* 🙏🏻📖☕️

*Readings:* Hebrews 3:7-14; Psalm 95:6-11; Mark 1:40-45

*THE HARDEST PRAYER TO SAY IS,* “Your will be done in my life”. Why is this so? _We fear that if we hand the power of our will to God, He will change it_ and give us something unpleasant or not in step with our expectations. Instead, we pray for God to hear our prayer, to grant our wish list, and put our enemies to shame. Is there is a problem with this way of thinking?

*GOD WANTS TO DO GOOD THINGS FOR US.* In fact, He did a great thing in the life of the leper in today’s Gospel (Mark 1:40-45). He answered the leper’s request and gave him exactly what he asked for? The key is found in how the leper asked. The leper said:

_“If you want to you can cure me.”_
And Jesus exclaimed, _“Of course I want to! Be cured!”_

It is *Jesus’ eagerness* for me. He did not only answer; He was eager to grant the leper’s request.

*WHY WAS THE LEPER’S PRAYER SO EFFECTIVE?* What in this prayer moved Jesus to cure him with speed? The leper knew Jesus. He knew that Jesus had the power to do the impossible. He recognized that Jesus wanted for Him what He wanted for himself. _He knew that Jesus wants to heal Him quicker than he could ask._ But we ask for God’s blessings everyday na. Why does Jesus hesitate to answer us?

*THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE.* Our conviction is poor. We question and challenge God. We guilt-trip him by questioning His love for others who are enjoying the very same things we are praying for. We ask for things we believe we need without desiring to grow closer to God. We want things that we can use to intimidate others. We use God; we do not love Him. _If we love Him, it is because we feel we can use Him._ In order to receive good things from God, you need a soft, pure and believing heart.

_O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’_

*YOU CULTIVATE A SOFT HEART* when you water it with the words of Scripture on a daily basis. You nurture a pure heart when you love God more than the tendencies to sin and disobey God’s command. You possess a believing heart when you are convinced that there is nothing difficult for God to do. _If He delays to give you what you desire, you know that it is not out of malice._ If God permits misfortune to befall you, it will strengthen and not crush you. If he delays in answering you, a believing heart knows that _all things work together for good_ for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:28).

*MAY GOD SOFTEN YOUR HEART TODAY.* May your heart be made pure by grace and freed from the impurities of sin. May your heart be founded on the solid rock of faith. And May God give you every good and perfect gift which flow effortlessly from his bounty. Amen.

*PLEASE SHARE THIS POST WITH OTHERS. GOD BLESS YOU.*

© FriarJay