Count Your Blessings

 Greetings to you all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,

     It sometimes amazes me what you get when you ask someone for it.  I remember asking for my Red Ryder B B Gun and i remember asking for my bicycle.  I didn't think I was going to get either one of them at the time I asked, but I did.  I got a lot more than I asked for with the bicycle.  I just wanted one with fenders so I didn't get my back wet everytime I went through a mud puddle.  In John 16, Jesus is getting ready to leave the scene and is giving some special instructions to the disciples.  When they wanted something, they were going to have to ask for it and it was going to be an entirely different situation than what they were used to.  Jesus was physically going to be away from them.  John 16:23-24 says, "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, 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."  This was going to a matter of prayer.  Jesus had already taught them how to pray and we have the example in the Lord's Prayer as we see it in Matthew 6.  We also see examples of prayer in the life of Jesus during His three years of public ministry.  Now, the lessons were going to be put to good use.  The disciples were going to have to exercise prayer in their lives.  What a lesson for us.  Prayer has become a vital part of our lives here on this earth.  Dictionaries define prayer in regard to religion.  It is a practice whereby a person contacts God.  The Bible mentions prayer, to pray, praying or prayed, over 500 times.  We used to say that if God said something once, it was important.  Well, God has mentioned prayer over 500 times.  I guess you could say that it is also very, very important.  While there are many lessons in regard to prayer, let us just think of one.  The above verses remind us that we need to ask God for the things that are necessary in our lives.  If we do, we have the assurance that He will answer.  Jesus had reminded the disciples that up to that point, they had done little asking but that they were going to be asking a lot.  He had given them the examples, the teaching and the instruction, but now, it was going to become very practical for them all. Acts 2:42 says, "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."  After the experience of Pentecost and Peter's first sermon, the apostles remembered to be involved in prayer.  Do you bring your requests before God?  We often hear the words, "Ye have not, because ye ask not."  That is often the case especially with believers in these days.  When needs arise in your life, don't hesitate to bring them before God, and when you do, remember to leave them there with Him.  You will be surprised at what God will do.  Praise God today for answered prayers  and Remember to "Count Your Blessings."