My parents were very close, in love all their married lives, and it showed. They also had great faith, and that showed as well. At age 65, my dad was killed. A few weeks after his funeral, I asked my mum how she could keep going. With tears and a beautiful smile, she said, "Oh, dear, 'though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him'" (Job 13:15a KJV). At that point, I asked God for that kind of faith, and He gave to me freely. Praise His holy name, He gives all good things freely! That was 35 years ago, and my faith has remained strong ever since.

Our heavenly Father repeatedly invites us to ask for what we need.

Hebrews 4:16 – Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (KJV)

Matthew 7:7a,8a – Ask, and it shall be given you; for every one that asketh receiveth. (KJV)

John 14:13-14 – And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. (KJV)

John 16:23b-24 – Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. (KJV)

James 1:5-6a – If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. (KJV)

James 4:2b – Ye have not, because ye ask not. (KJV)

So, for what shall we ask? First and foremost, we must ask for forgiveness of our sins and for cleansing by the blood of Jesus Christ. Along with His forgiveness, He gives us His Holy Spirit. Then, there is the marvellous fruit of the Holy Spirit: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." (Galatians 5:22b-23 KJV)

The secret? Spend your lifetime at the throne of grace! It's the very best place to be, day and night. And don't forget to ask!

James 1:17 – Every good and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (KJV)

The second and fourth verses of Annie Johnson Flint's song, He giveth more grace say:

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Oh, and one last point — a reminder from Paul: "Don't forget to thank Him for his answers"! (Philippians 4:6b TLB)

Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, thank You for inviting us to come to You and to ask for all Your blessings. We praise You, in Jesus' name, for giving to us freely, above all that we can ask or think. Amen.

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About the author:

Elaine McBride <elainecart@outlook.com>
Haliburton, Ontario, Canada
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