A 3 Letter Word to Use For Miracles

I would like you to start by thinking of a miracle you would like to see in your life. Visualize it for a minute or two. Bathe in the emotion of seeing it realized, and feel as you would when (not if) it takes place.

If only it was that easy for your miracle to occur. Well, I have good news. It is this easy, if not easier. Visualization and faith are key ingredients for your dream miracle to become reality. However, I have been reminded many times lately of another way to make it happen. When I see and hear the same idea many times in different places in a short period of time, that’s when I know God is speaking to me.

This idea I have been reminded of is the power of asking. This simple 3 letter word, ASK, is a small yet powerful key in receiving what you desire. It’s all over the Bible… Ask and it will be given to you (Matt 7:7); Whatever you ask for in prayer, believing that you already have it, will be yours (Mark 11:24); You may ask me for anything in My name and I will do it (John 14:14). If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you (John 15:7).

The above verses are powerful enough, and meditating on even one or two of them consistently could be life-changing. There are plenty more where these came from. I recommend finding one that most strikes your emotional cord and making it a part of your being.

One idea that’s helped me a great deal in my personal growth is finding detailed, exact definitions for simple words. We’ve used the word ask all of our lives. We know what it means. However, I dug a bit deeper. Here are some definitions (taken from dictionary.com) of the word ASK, and then I will explain how we can apply it in our prayer life.

• to try to get by using words; to request
• to solicit from
• to demand; expect
• to call for; need; require

When you ask God for a miracle, in essence you are doing all of these. As I learn more about God, I can see how these apply. For example, when God created the world, He spoke it into existence. When Jesus calmed the storm, he spoke to the waves and demanded that they stop. When He healed people, He spoke the word and it was done.

This power of asking also lies in your hands. Know exactly what you want. Then use your words to ask God to make it happen. Know that you can expect to receive what you ask for. There are only two conditions to receiving your desire when you ask. One is that it is within God’s will. Now please don’t make the mistake many people do (and I did for a long time) with this concept. They use this concept of God’s will as a “maybe-ness” to receiving their desire, like maybe God wants to grant this or maybe He doesn’t. It’s not like that at all. It simply means that as long as your desire is part of God’s nature it is good. That means that asking for greater health, improving your relationships, and getting out of debt are all within His will. Asking to hook up with the beauty at the desk next to you (even though you’re both married) or for something that will hurt someone else are examples of something outside of God’s will that He will not answer. So unless it’s something you know is wrong, don’t be afraid to ask!

The second condition is that you give the glory to God. You can do nothing without Him. When your main focus is that God will be glorified when your miracle takes place, it will supercharge the manifestation of your desire. It’s only a matter of time until you reap the benefits.

If you have held back from asking God for miracles due to fear, lack of worthiness, or whatever reason, now is the time to realize that He wants you to ask. And when you do, He is ready and willing to bless you in ways you can’t even imagine. Use your words, call for His assistance, and expect the blessing. The see the great things God can do 🙂

Increase Your Expectation

I start with a couple of stories to prove the point of today’s post… I was somehow reminded of a period of my life where I had problems finding dates. I was an attractive, intelligent male, yet I had difficulty finding females that were interested in going out with me. One day, I heard a friend complaining that he hadn’t had a date in over a week. You can guess my reaction. A week?! It’s been months for me and I see no end in sight to this drought.

Another time in my life I was just starting in my career and my income was low. I was at a party and the low life, drunk husband of one my co-workers was advising us about careers. He told us…”don’t go for any of those $40,000 jobs. You’re not going anywhere in life unless you’re making at least $75,000″. There was also another time in my life where income was low. A millionaire investor friend of mine was visiting and we met with a friend of his. This other friend was concerned and seeking ways to ensure he could maintain his lifestyle (already making hundreds of thousands of dollars).

What’s the point of these stories? They are reminders to me about the concept of expectation. I was having problems meeting and dating women. I had no expectation that this would end, so months without a date didn’t phase me. The other person’s level of expectation was different. He EXPECTED to be dating on a regular basis and was out of sorts that it had been a whole week without the company of a female. I’ll give you one guess as to who had the next date. Hint..it wasn’t me.

Going back to the drunk and obnoxious husband, he had a point. How could he say not to go for $40,000? My friends and I all agreed that we would dance in the streets for $40,000. If we strive for it, eventually we would receive it. However, the lesson I’ve learned is that if we strive for the $75,000 we would ultimately receive that. So why not shoot for the top? Same with the investor. He saw nothing less than a hundred thousand dollar lifestyle as an option. He was expecting this income and nothing less.

The lesson that I remind you of (as well as myself) is that we receive according to our level of expectation. Jesus Himself said, “according to your faith it is done to you”. He also said that if you believe you already have what you want, you will receive it. If you are single and you expect a date every week, you will rarely be alone. If you expect to make $100,000 instead of $50,000 you will receive it. If you expect to run 5 miles instead of 1, you will accomplish it.

The bottom line is that if you want more in your life you need to raise your level of expectation. God has an unlimited supply available, and He is waiting for you to ask for it. See… How To Increase Your Blessings – Get a Bigger Container for more information about this. Know that you are worthy and you can have what you desire. Simply have this faith, pray for it, and see it as already yours. EXPECT that you will receive it and you will. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

 

The Power of Asking

I recently completed another year of carrying on a tradition in my Spanish classroom. My students always look forward to the unit on issuing commands in Spanish. This is because, if they say it correctly, I allow my students to command me to do things. It gets a little crazy as they command me to do all kinds of crazy things. For example, I have had to sing songs by Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, perform the latest dances (I’m one of the worst dancers on this earth), and put a garbage can over my head. I don’t give money, but I have obliged with reaquests for candy, pizza, and ice cream.

This year was nice too because one student simply requested a lunch fiesta outside of the chaos of the cafeteria for her and four of her friends. She was very suprised that I obliged so easily to her request and those of others.

The above lesson is the one I wanted to convey to her, my classes, and now to you. Many were surprised that they received some nice rewards simply by asking. Knowing that they can receive such things, it’s a wonder that every 8th grader didn’t ask for something. However, it’s quite ironic that very few students asked. Part of this was because they didn’t know how to say it, or did not want to speak Spanish. I would think though, that some didn’t feel like they had the right to ask. They figured that they were not worthy of asking for even a large candy bar or cup of ice cream.

The above mentality represents many people in our society today. They don’t ask for or seek great things, simply because they don’t feel worthy. At one time I would put myself in that category. However, I learn more that to receive the blessings I am seeking, all I have to do is ask! That was my life lesson to these students. You can receive great gifts in life simply by politely asking. This was proven as students enjoyed the wonderful goodies they gained simply by asking for them.

Please know the same is true for you. Many times you can receive what you want simply by asking. People have received raises at their job simply by asking their boss. Many others receive blessings by asking God. Speaking of God, how many times does He promise in the Bible that He will bless us if we would only ask? Remember, you have not because you ask not.

Do you always get what you want just by asking? No, but that’s a good thing. I did not comply with all of my students’ commands. This was partially for budget reasons, but one of the guidelines is that the command won’t be harmful or embarrassing to someone else, or interrupt the learning environment in other classes. However, I still encouraged students to ask for anything because the worst I could say was no, but there was a chance they could receive what they wanted.

It’s the same for you. You may ask for something and will be told no. Still, why not ask? You never know the answer until you do. God will even say no to some of your prayers. If He does, please know it’s to avoid you or someone being harmed or embararrased. And please realize…unlike me, God has no budget! Know that He can do and provide anything for you. Many times He is simply waiting for you to ask.

Hopefully you get the message. If you want to receive or accomplish something, it is OK to ask! So please…ask! As my students found out, you can receive some unexpected gifts simply by asking for them. Since I have learned this, the blessings are multiplying in my life. They will for you too if you simply ask God in humble prayer, or if you ask people who can help you. We don’t need to get greedy, but we do need to know that it’s OK to ask for the things we want. And it will be more OK when we receive them. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

How To Increase Your Blessings – Get a Bigger Container

I once read an excellent analogy about the power of expectation. Author Robert Anthony shared that the amount of blessings a person receives in life is in direct proportion to their level of expectation. For example, in the ocean of expectation, some arrive with a spoon, some with a bucket, and some with a large barrel. Obviously the person with the barrel will get the most from the ocean. They are aware of the vast abundance available and take as much from it as they can.

Today I read a similar story from John Bevere in his book “Relentless”. He provides the secenario of a sever famine hitting a part of the world. Then a generous country in a different part of the world brings barges and cargo planes full of fresh, healthy food. They release a statement to the citizens that they can provide as much food as the people can carry. As a result, people line up to take advantage. One person arrives with a picnic basket and gets two days worth of food for him and his family. Another brings a large sack to carry enough food that will feed his family for a week. Another person comes ready with a huge pickup truck and loads enough food for him, his family, and several neighborhoods for a month.

The lesson of this story is this…God’s blessings are unlimited and ready for us to receive. He is telling us to come and take as much of it as we can carry. Will you arrive with a small basket, a sack, the pickup truck, or the huge triple decker ship? The choice is yours, and your level of blessing will be in proportion with your level of readiness and expectation.

I also advise this…don’t let anyone talk you out of pursuing the greatest blessings in your life. In the above story, the people with the small baskets were resentful towards those that drove by with the big trucks. Did it do them well? I would say not. In the end, those who prepared for and expected the greatest blessing were the ones who ultimately received it and reaped the benefits.

I share this with you because at one time I was completely guilty of going to the ocean with a spoon, and bringing a small basket to the unlimited feast. I have learned though, that God is hoping I will come with the biggest container possible to reap His greatest blessings. He is actually disappointed when we arrive with the smallest container to take the least amount of His great gifts.

So where’s your large sized truck today? Drive to the place where you will find the greatest blessings and take all you can carry. Enjoy : )