Ask

I came close to being in an automobile accident this morning, but by the grace of God I swerved at the last moment. This is the third time I was almost in an accident coming or returning from our morning Bible study breakfast. I had no time to speak but swerved just in time. Two other times I spoke the name of Jesus to come within inches of colliding with trucks who pulled out or were stalled in the rain. There is a supposed Bible saying " The LORD helps those who help themselves". Well, there are times when we cannot help ourselves and for a Christian, we are never to help ourselves apart from God's grace. We can do all things through God who gives us grace. We may help ourselves into sin, but anything good comes from the LORD. Now then knowing all good comes from God and knowing that there are many things only possible because God who is our help, we can see the importance of asking in prayer.

Jas 1:5 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.
Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

If you are going to ask of God, ask in faith believing. If we are going to "help ourselves" why ask? We ask for things beyond our abilities. We ask for wisdom and guidance from above. We ask knowing that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. We ask in Jesus' name. He wants us to ask and he wants us to thank him, for we are his through Jesus Christ by grace, not of ourselves. Sometimes we have no words, so the Holy Spirit hears our groanings and delivers our message to the throne of God.

Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

In times of emergency we can speak JESUS! and he hears and sends his angels. Thank you my Lord and my Savior for hearing me.