Encouragement

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. – James‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The phrase “you have not because you ask not” is from James 4:3, a verse in the Bible. It emphasizes that one of the reasons people don’t receive what they desire is that they don’t ask for it through prayer. The verse also notes that even when people do ask, they may not receive if their motives are impure or selfish. 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

• The core message:
The verse highlights the importance of prayer and suggests that a lack of prayer is a barrier to receiving blessings. 
• The context:
James is addressing a community struggling with conflict, jealousy, and unfulfilled desires. He points out that their struggles stem from their own desires and actions, including a failure to ask God for help. 
• Motives matter:
The verse also warns that even when people do pray, their requests may not be granted if they are motivated by selfish desires, such as lust or a desire to spend blessings on personal gratification.
• Seeking God’s will:
Several Christian resources suggest that this verse encourages believers to seek God’s will in their prayers and align their requests with His purposes.
• God’s sovereignty:
It’s also important to acknowledge that even with pure motives, God may not always grant requests as we expect, as He has His own timing and plans. However, the verse still encourages us to ask, trusting that He hears us and will work for our good.
• Jesus said,ask and it shall be given, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door will be open. So much more to prayer, our conversation with our Lord and His will for us. Pray without ceasing. Hallelujah!

-KC

We are blessed to offer this post from our brother Bruce Wagner. Be encouraged!

In Scripture, the terms kings, queens, and priests are used both literally (referring to rulers and spiritual leaders in history) and prophetically (referring to the redeemed people of God in their future roles).

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📖 Biblical Roles

👑 Kings & Queens
• Earthly Role:
• Kings and queens rule over nations, enforce justice, lead armies, and govern people (e.g., David, Solomon, Esther as queen).
• They hold political and judicial authority.
• Spiritual/Prophetic Role:
• Believers are called to reign with Christ in His Kingdom:
• “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” (Revelation 5:10)
• Jesus is called the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16), implying believers will share in His rule as co-heirs (Romans 8:17).

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🙏 Priests
• Old Testament Role:
• Priests mediated between God and the people—offering sacrifices, teaching the Law, and interceding (Leviticus 9; Numbers 6:22-27).
• They served as the bridge for worship and atonement.
• New Covenant Role:
• Through Christ, all believers become a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).
• As priests, Christians:
• Offer spiritual sacrifices (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15)
• Intercede for others in prayer (1 Timothy 2:1)
• Declare the gospel (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)

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🔑 Combined Role – Kings & Priests
• Revelation 1:6 and 5:10 declare that Christ “has made us kings and priests to our God.”
• This means believers will:
• Rule (exercise authority in God’s Kingdom under Christ)
• Serve (minister to God and others in worship and intercession)

If our nation is going to be great again, it must return to its foundations and to the confession, “ONE NATION UNDER GOD.” May our eyes see the coming of the glory of the Lord! Please listen and read the lyrics. His truth is marching on; the battle is the Lord’s!

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on.

Chorus:
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps,
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps:
His day is marching on.

Chorus

I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:
“As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel,
Since God is marching on.”

Chorus

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat:
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.

Chorus

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.

Chorus

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is Wisdom to the mighty, He is Succour to the brave,
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of Time His slave,
Our God is marching on.

Matthew 9

The biblical Greek word for “welcome” is most often translated as δεχομαι (dechomai), which means “to receive,” “to accept,” or “to welcome”. It can also be translated as “to receive favorably,” “give ear to,” “embrace,” or “approve”. Another relevant word is aspazomai (ἀσπάζομαι), which can mean “to greet,” “bid welcome,” or “receive joyfully”. Additionally, proslambano (προσλαμβάνω) can be used to mean “to welcome” or “to take in addition”. 

In Scripture, it is also used to describe Jesus taking a child into his arms, an embrace, or the act of listening carefully to what someone is saying.

“Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” -Matthew 18:4-5 NIV

On this Father’s Day, these words of Jesus have touched my heart. We know that mothers are nurturing and caring, but our perception of fathers in our nation is lacking in so many ways.

The word “welcome” leaped off the page, and Jesus says not to welcome or receive a child is not to receive me.

Our nation has become one of the most unwelcome places for a child. Over 60 million babies aborted, families divided by divorce, fathers abandoning their children, child pornography, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and child sex trafficking. We see everyday children’s lives cut short in drive-by shootings. Not to mention the godless indoctrination of Woke.

Here, Jesus speaks concerning children’s value and how they should feel in our lives—WELCOMED! Jesus told His disciples that He came to show us the Father. The welcome mat of the Godhead, lead by the Father, is: whosoever will may come, freely come.

Jesus also says with great promise, “He that cometh to me I will in no way cast out.”

I believe we have missed this truth concerning children and how the kingdom of God is increased. Suffer the little children to come unto Me. You are Welcome, welcome, welcome!

This morning, as a father, is the spirit of welcoming seen in me? There is so much truth here, such as the Father waiting for the prodigal to return. The Father waits on us, ready to welcome His children no matter what condition they find themselves in.

My prayer this morning is that the children of our nation will be welcomed by their fathers, accepted and valued once again. Men of this nation, fathers, repent. That once again the welcome mat of the kingdom will be rolled out and, receiving these little ones in His name, we will welcome Him. Jesus.

-KC