Walking and Working with God

July 18, 2023

One of the things I tell people often is that I wouldn’t trade my life for anyone else’s for anything. That’s not because my life is more comfortable, more convenient, or problem free. It is 100% because of the story God is writing in and through my life. I believe with all my heart that every one of us gets to choose how much God works in us and through us. And I believe there’s nothing that is more exciting, exhilarating, satisfying, fulfilling than that—having God work in and through us by our choice.

It’s how we are designed and created to live. When we choose to work with God to the fullest, we are fulfilling our purpose and potential. It may be hard to envision, but Scripture tells us that we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). We don’t move based on what we see but what we know by faith.

Scripture also tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

Ephesians 3:20 MSG says, “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!"

Faith is what activates God’s presence and power in our lives. Because of that, Jesus addresses His desire for us to operate in faith:

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:7-8 NIV

“I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:13-14 NIV

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 NIV

What is Jesus saying? I think it’s quite clear. He wants us to bear much fruit and glorify His Father. He is so committed to it that He is anxious to do anything we ask in His name. He wants us to persevere. He says, “Keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking.”

This might just be one of the reasons why we don’t see God do more. We don’t ask much, and we give up easily and early. Or we ask with mixed motives.

James 4:3 NIV says, “When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” We ask for things sheerly because they bring glory and honor to ourselves, not to the Father.

So, here’s a question—what gets your big asks? What are you asking for in faith for God’s kingdom and for His glory? Or are you simply caught up in asking for things for your pleasure and glory?

We can only experience the presence and power of God in our lives when we are focused on His will, His way, and His glory. When we are, we bear much fruit. He is glorified and we are more than satisfied.