Ask Again (Replay)

Ask AgainActs 9:1-6  “ Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest  and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.   As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.  “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”If you are not familiar with the story of Saul I suggest you read acts chapter 9:1-19. I did not want to take up too much of your time recounting the whole story but I will summarize it later.  When I was thinking of what to write about I got to thinking about how many people I talk to, that are worried about their children.  They are worried because their children are not attending mass, or are no longer Catholic/Christian.  They worry that they, as parents, are not making a difference in their child’s faith, or that their example is not enough.  I have these same thoughts as well.  I thought I would share something that I feel God pointed out to me that has given me a lot of comfort.  People have always told me that if I pray for my children God will answer my prayers.  And that they will come back to the church in His time, not mine.  However, I still worried because I know that God gave us free will.  I always thought that meant that the boys needed to at least be open to him, or maybe the needed to be looking for him in order for them to be saved.  And I wondered if they would be open to Him.  I wondered what would happen if they weren’t ever looking for Him.  However, one day God gave me a thought, “What about Saul?”  In Acts 9:1-19, we learn about Saul.  Saul was someone who was persecuting anyone who believed in Jesus.  When he was on his way to another town, with the intent of finding anyone who believed in Jesus and bringing them back to Jerusalem in chains, he was blinded by a vision of Jesus.  Jesus asked him why he was persecuting him.  Saul was instructed to go into town and wait for someone to come and visit him.   When Saul tried to open his eyes, he was blind.  A disciple of God went and cured his blindness, and he was immediately baptized.  This is, of course, the abbreviated version. I suggest you read the full version, as it is a great story.  So, if God can completely convert Saul, who was not open to Jesus, or looking for him, but was murdering and persecuting others who believed in him.  Then just think how easy it will be for God to win our children back when he decides they are ready.  I hope that this can put your mind at ease at least a little.  
A second part to this is that sometimes I think that we get tired of asking for the same thing over and over again.  We assume the answer is no because God hasn’t answered our prayer yet.  However, when we read Luke 11:5-8 “And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him, and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.  I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.  I know I have talked to you before about the woman who was persistent in going to the judge and asking for justice. She did not receive it because he was kind; she received it because of her persistence.  We must keep asking.  God will reward our persistence.  If we need to reach out and have someone else ask on our behalf when we are weak, then we should do that.  However, we should not give up asking just because God hasn’t answered yet.  He will in his time! I am going to read a piece of writing that beautifully illustrates the “Ask Again” idea.  I first heard this on the Big Life Devotional Podcast, and then I went to Facebook and found it on her page titled Tera’s Online Christian Journey.  I will put a link to her page in the show notes.  To visit her Facebook Page, click here. ASK AGAIN By: Tera Elness I know, I know, you’ve already asked Him a million times. I see those eyes rolling.  But today, ask Him a million and one.  
Yes.   Ask Him AGAIN.   Ask him again for that child to come home.   That marriage needs to be healed.   That mountain to move.   Ask him again for that friendship to mend.   That work to begin.   That end-of-tunnel light is to appear.  
Ask Him again for the one who needs rescue, the one who needs healing, the one who needs new direction, new guidance, new focus.  Yes.   Even if that ‘one’ is you.   Ask him again for what you need.   For what you want.  For joy in the sorrow.   Help in the struggle.   A sip of living-water in the heat of your schedule...and the time to just sit at the well, amen?  Ask him again.  Ask Him again to provide springs in your land; and while you’re at it, give thanks for that land, no matter how dry it is now, knowing He’s given it to you with good purpose.  Yes.
Ask him again.   Ask him again to dig up the soil and plant the seeds.
Ask Him again to stir up and settle, make and remake, pour out His peace that passes all understanding, because frankly, you could use a hefty dose about now.   Yes.  
And Amen.   Ask Him again for all that seems lost and all that seems nowhere, even near the city of possible...and ask Him believing He can.   Yes.  
Ask him again.   Not because you don’t think He heard you the first million times, but because you are realizing the longer you {truly} live, that persistence is a pretty strong faith-builder; not to mention how close it keeps you to Him for whom all things are possible and nothing is too hard, and because faith-based strength to persevere and closeness with your Creator is what you REALLY need.   Whew. Yes. Absolutely.  
Ask him again.   With fresh eyes and a renewed spirit and a passionate resolve that He can, and if it’s His Will...He will.   And if it’s not, you will keep on asking.   You will keep on seeking.   You will keep on believing just like Steve Perry says.   Because persistent faith is where it’s at.   It fastens its gaze on hope.  The hope that is always three steps {Father, Son, Holy Spirit} ahead, providing the perfect focal point.  Yes.   And it never disappoints.   Amen.   So today, bow low, look up, and ask Him AGAIN.Dear heavenly father, I ask that you bless all those listening to this episode today. Lord, I ask that you bring peace and comfort to all of us who are worried about our children or nieces and nephews. Lord, we worry because we know how great you are, and we want so badly for our children to know this.  Lord, reassure us that you were in charge and that you have claimed our children and that we don't have to worry about them. Lord, give us the strength and persistence to keep on asking even when we're tired. Lord, if we don't have the strength to keep asking, give us the wisdom to ask her friends to pray with us or for us. We love you, Lord, and we're going to keep asking because we have faith and hope in you every single day of our lives. Heavenly Father, we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus ' holy name, amen.  www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace