Day 6: Ask and You Will Recieve

Update: Starting on week two of my fast! And I must say it's become a lot easier than I thought it would be. On Friday I decided to just go ahead and delete the apps off my phone, and since then I have looked at a SNS maybe 3-4 times in the past few days. I'm actually pretty proud of myself, and I am getting SO many things accomplished. And I must say that I can feel my relationship with God gradually getting stronger as well.This week my plan was to only look at SNS 3 times each day, but I think I can cut that down to just 1 or 2. Probably by the end of the week I might be able to cut it out completely.

Scripture: Mark 11:12-25
These verses have a lot of messages. So after reading these verses I feel that it would be really good to go back and see everything that God is saying to you. But because I am talking about two passages today, for this first passage I really want to focus on v23-25. These verses are for me right now all the way. It's about increasing your faith and believing in the plans God has for you. When you ask God for something there cannot be any doubt in your heart that He will either do it, or do something even better for you. NO DOUBT. V24 is my favorite though because I used to be so afraid to ask God for things, because I was afraid that I was bugging Him or I didn't feel like I deserved to be asking God to help me out in my trials. But God wants us to ask and talk with Him. It shows that we are putting our trust in Him. Now I find myself praying to God all the time asking and thanking Him for even the small things that He does for me. God says that when you ask you will receive. So what happens when you don't ask? Don't be afraid to be vulnerable and open with God.
Finally, v25 says that you have to open your heart and forgive. I dont think this is a coincidence that it goes right after the verses telling us to ask God to bless us. We make mistakes ALL the time, and God still wants to bless us. So what is stopping us from forgiving someone who has hurt us a few times? When you forgive, God forgives. Trust, I know forgiving someone is a lot easier said than done, but God wants us to do it. Don't let your hard, stubborn heart prevent you from receiving your blessing. Forgive others just as God forgives us each and every day. There is no telling what God will be able to tell you and bless you with once you can forgive others.

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32
In these verses Jesus tells a small parable to the priest who do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah. I am not quite sure why but after reading this I have a part of one of Maya Angelous poems that says, "If someone shows you who they are, believe them." V32 tells the priests everything by saying the tax collectors and prostitutes will enter heaven before the priests. Why? Becuase the priests are hypocrites, while the tax collectors and prostitues come as they are. The tax collectors and prostitues know they are sinners and are willing to admit their wrong doing and ask God for forgiveness, while the priests are so determined to bring Jesus down and judge others. God wants us to come as we are. He knows none of us are perfect, but that is what makes us perfect for God. Jesus died on the cross so we would be able to repent no matter what we have done in the past or what we  are going to do in the future. The tax collectors and prostitues believe but the priests do not, which is why they will not be able to enter the kingdom of God. Getting into heaven is not about being the most perfect we can be and it is not about being sinless because that is in possible. BUT what we should do as children of God is try and sin less than we did before we accepted Jesus in our hearts. If you want a relationship with God come to Him as you are, because He will forgive you not matter your past. I know I have done some things that are probably unforgiveable in the eyes of man, but I THANK God everyday that He can forgive me and allow me into Kingdom!!!