1 John 5:14, 15 (NKJV) Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 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 (CWR) We have confidence in God to know that He will listen to whatever we ask in harmony with His will. 15 And if we know that He listens to us, we know that He will give us whatever is best. INTRODUCTION The emphasis here is on God's will, not our will. When we communicate with God, we don't demand what we want; rather we discuss with him what he wants for us. If we align our prayers to his will, he will listen; and we can be certain that if he listens, he will give us a definite answer. Start praying with confidence! [Life Application SB] COMMENTARY PEARL As the will of man co-operates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to be done at His command may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings. COL333 COMMENTARY Christ makes it plain that our asking must be according to God's will; we must ask for the things that He has promised, and whatever we receive must be used in doing His will. The conditions met, the promise is unequivocal. For the pardon of sin, for the Holy Spirit, for a Christlike temper, for wisdom and strength to do His work, for any gift He has promised, we may ask; then we are to believe that we receive, and return thanks to God that we have received. We need look for no outward evidence of the blessing. The gift is in the promise, and we may go about our work assured that what God has promised He is able to perform, and that the gift, which we already possess, will be realized when we need it most. ED257, 8 We are to trust His promises. When we come to Him in faith, we should believe that every petition enters into the heart of Christ. When we have asked for His blessing, we should believe that we receive it, and thank Him that we have it. Then we are to go about our duties, assured that the blessing will be sent when we need it most. When we have learned to do this, we shall know that our prayers are answered. God will do for us "exceeding abundantly," "according to the riches of His glory," and "the working of His mighty power." [Ephesians 3:20, 16, 19.] {GW 261.3} Seeking God's Will Parents train their children to do many tasks - from knowing which clothes match to handling money. Perhaps the most important skill we can teach is how to follow Gods direction. We are blessed that our omniscient and mighty Father is willing to make His way known to us. He wants to reveal exactly what to do in every situation. In fact, He promises this: I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you (Ps. 32:8). Lets explore how to discern Gods will at each crossroad of life. The first step is to make sure that we have repented of all sin. Listening to God while holding onto iniquity in our heart is like using a foggy and unreadable compass. After confessing and repenting, we can ask for direction. Next, we should read Scripture regularly with a seeking, open heart. The Bible is like a lamp on a dark path (Ps. 119:105). The last step involves Gods indwelling Holy Spirit - the wonderful gift that the heavenly Father has given each of His children. The Spirit provides truth and guidance as we read the Word and pray. We should listen patiently for His leading, which is often communicated quietly to our hearts as we spend time with Him. When asking the Lord to reveal His will, we shouldnt expect instant answers. The discipline of waiting builds character, and besides, rushing the process may lead to a path that misses Gods best. Take the time to seek Jesus plan for your life, remembering He'll provide all you need to follow Him. [In Touch Daily Devotional by Charles Stanley at www.intouch.org] ILLUSTRATION When You Pray for Healing, You Can Pray with Confidence Why doesnt God heal everyone that asks him for it? When you pray and ask for Gods healing, you can trust that hell hear and answer you. But he may not answer in the way you hope. He wont give you something against his will. God always wants whats best for you - and the best thing may be to use an illness in ways you did not expect. Sometimes God uses sickness to get your attention and redirect you. He may have to lay you flat on your back in order to get you to look up to him. Proverbs 20:30 says, Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways (GNT). Most of us could give a story of how it took a painful experience to make us change our ways. Sometimes God allows a sickness to be a testimony for others. He knows he can trust you with an illness, and he knows you'll be a good example to other people, particularly unbelievers. Paul says in Philippians 1:12, Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel (NIV). Paul was sick and in prison when he wrote that, testifying to how God used his circumstances to spread the Good News. The greatest witness you will ever have is your example of the way you handle pain. In my own life, God has used my deepest moments of pain as a witness to my neighbors and the world. When you respond to pressure and pain in a way that points people back to God, it brings glory to him. Sometimes God allows a sickness to take a person into eternity - a sickness unto death. Hebrews 9:27 says, Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God (GNT). If you could be healed of every illness just by having enough faith, then if you had enough faith, you might never die. That certainly isn't God's will. When you are sick, you can pray and ask God in confidence for healing. Why should you have confidence? This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us (1 John 5:14 NIV). Thats right: When you pray in Gods will, he always hears you. His answer may not come through the method or in the timing you want, but his answer is always for good and for his glory. [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/] ONE LINERS We may present our petitions to the Father, claiming all that He has promised. PK157-158 He never asks us to do anything without supplying the grace and power to do that very thing. All his biddings are enablings. RH11-09-97 LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC 1 John 5:14, 15 - Effective Prayer. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201107-0927.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20191012-1403.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2009/20090624-2133.html Psalm 32:8, 9 - God Want Us To Know The Way To Go. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190701-0838.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150210-1148.html YOUR COMMENTS If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or testimony on this passage of Scripture, either personal or otherwise, I would be interested in hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred Gibbs LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT Most Important Decision in Life: http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo Steps to Peace by Billy Graham: https://stepstopeace.org/ Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782 Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ Amazing Facts Bible Studies: http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study Guides: https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/ LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/ Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657 Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE