A teaching by Rev. Barbara Williams, President of the Ministry of the Watchman International
Week of May 1-5, 2023
MONDAY
[Jesus said,] “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
Luke 11:9-13
What do you have need of? I know that’s a loaded question. If you have received all by faith, you may say, “nothing,” but if you are honest, you will say, “everything.” There is a place where the believer dwells in contentment and lacks nothing, but there is a reality that says we need so much more from God. But what do you stand in need of on a continual basis? We need health, money, shelter, security, peace…the list is unending. Jesus gives the answer here. He tells us to ask. Anything we desire is ours for the asking. James 1:6 qualifies this and adds that we must ask in faith, not wavering. So Jesus expects us to initiate the request by asking.
If you are in need of healing, there is good news! Proverbs 4:20-22 SAYS:
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
So there is life and health in God’s word. Since God’s word is medicine, we must take it like we would a prescription. I suggest three times a day, like you would your food. Remember, healing is the children’s bread. Consider this your “dose” for today. Remember, read, and meditate three times a day the following:
Rx: Psalm 107:20 ~ He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
If you’ve never studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we invite you to join us as we read through the Bible in a year. Read and meditate on these chapters this week:
May 1: Numbers 8, Psalms 44, Song of Solomon 6, Hebrews 6
May 2: Numbers 9, Psalms 45, Song of Solomon 7, Hebrews 7
May 3: Numbers 10, Psalms 46-47, Song of Solomon 8, Hebrews 8
May 4: Numbers 11, Psalms 48, Isaiah 1, Hebrews 9
May 5: Numbers 12-13, Psalms 49, Isaiah 2, Hebrews 10
May 6: Numbers 14, Psalms 50, Isaiah 3-4, Hebrews 11
May 7: Numbers 15, Psalms 51, Isaiah 5, Hebrews 12
TUESDAY
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
John 14:12-14
We are further required to ask in the name of Jesus. His name gets His attention. It is as though we are calling Him by name, asking Him to fill the request. His name also implies His will, and His ability working through us. When we ask in faith, He is required to fulfill the request, because His covenant obligates Him to action. The covenant also obligates us to obedience. We approach God on the basis of faith. Faith implies that all conditions are met for God to act. If we have been in disobedience, then repentance is required to restore the righteousness that comes through faith. Righteousness makes faith possible.
WEDNESDAY
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7
What does Jesus promise to do? He promises to give us good things. In Luke 11, He promises the Holy Spirit. There is a key to our success in asking here. Have you ever felt as though you weren’t sure if you were going to receive that which you asked for? You needed to be certain, and not wavering. You needed reassurance, or comfort.
This is the work of the Holy Spirit. He is our comforter, for He strengthens us for the road ahead. He also gives us His assurance of faith that what we ask for is already given to us. Often we ask again and again, but continuing to ask is normal. There will come a time when we are assured of our faith, then we go on rejoicing that God has granted what we ask.
The Holy Spirit is the agent of this reassurance. He brings heaven down to earth.
THURSDAY
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
What are the results of our asking? God promises to blow our minds with the results He gives. He will always do exceeding, abundantly beyond all that we can ask or think, but it works according to the power of faith and expectancy within us.
When we ask for a car, He will give us the best one at the best price on the lot, but we must expect that He will. We need not pay “top dollar” for something that will perish with the using, nor are we mere beggars trying to get something for nothing.
Our Father has prepared an ample table for us. He intends to overwhelm us with His extravagance. He always outdoes what we do.
FRIDAY
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
1 John 5:14-15
Then there is the confidence which we have while we wait and expect God’s best. The confidence comes when we know that we have asked in His name. His name implies His permission, sanction and blessing on what we do. When we are totally given over to trust in the Lord, we have this confidence. We judge God faithful, because we keep His commandments, which He has given to us, and we can ask anything and expect the answer on time, with good things. God is not forgetful nor is He slack concerning His promises. He requires that all men come to repentance and do that which is right in His sight. We are confident, assured, and expectant because His commandments are not grievous to us, since He has given us the Holy Ghost to comfort us. Whatever you need, saint of God, is yours for the asking.