2 Samuel 7:21 - Sometimes we get a no

For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant.

In this chapter, David decides to build a permanent home for the Ark of  God. God speaks to David though the Nathan and says no, David's son will be the one to build a temple. David accepts this from God and praises Him. We (or someone close to us) may not hear an audible answer from God today, but he has his ways to make his will known. If we pray for an answer to be made clear, it will.

Lord, thank you for your guidance. Please help us to accept your answers. Amen.

Psalm 138:3-Boldness

When I called, you answered me;
     you greatly emboldened me.

Our experiences with God strengthen our boldness in him. The more we see him working in our lives, the more we want to share this with others.

Lord, thank you for every time you answer us, when we can see you working in our lives, whether it was exactly what we asked for or not, whether your answer was yes, no or not now. Please help us to see your work in our lives, so that we will be greatly emboldened and share you with others. Amen.

Matthew 28:18-20 - Bible Study Challenge Day 7

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Question 1 - Where are the lost?

They are everywhere, all nations, including those who live near us.

Question 2 - How can we reach them?

We can reach them by teaching them to obey everything God commands. We have to seek out people in the world. Find people who are struggling and looking for answers. If we live as a Christian example, some people may come to us looking for the reason for our joy and faith.

Question 3 - Why do we not seek them out?

Fear. We are scared people will say no and think we are bugging them. They might think we are a hypocrite if we say we are a Christian, yet are not perfect. We might be sacred they will ask something we don't know the answer to. 

Lord, thank you for trusting us with this commission. Please help us to go out and make disciples. Amen. 

Psalm 66:18 - Can you hear me now?

If I had cherished sin in my heart,
     the Lord would not have listened;

When we pray to God, how do we know he is listening? How do we know we can expect an answer? The Bible gives us some perimeters regarding prayer and this verse is one of them. In order for God to hear us, we need to be in a right relationship with him. If we have sin in our lives we are not willing to part with, God won't hear us. So if we are praying and feel like we are not getting a response, maybe we need to examine our lives and look for cherished sin.

Lord, thank you for loving us and hearing our prayers. Please help us to cherish no sin in our heart. Amen.