Hosanna Restoration Church

Whatever it takes for a soul to be saved and a life to be changed; these words entered my mind and heart as I sought the Lord about another word that was rolling around inside of me from earlier in the week. He said, “Simply ask.”

“Whatever you ask will be given to you!” These are Jesus’ very words from John 15:7, and this is not the only place Jesus spoke that truth. So why does what He said become so confusing. This week as I read that, I did my usual pause, and Holy Spirit said, “Simply ask!”

Well, that is not so simple! Seriously, we complicate it! I complicate it. Why do I (we) complicate things? Well, we may have asked, and it did not go our way. Sometimes it goes better! I never mind when it goes better, do you?

Still, simply ask, is not always simple! Then again, it is not up to us to make what He says fit! It is up to us to do what He says. Then, later in the week, He added; “Whatever It Takes!” This was followed by, “That a soul might be saved and a life changed.” I believe He spoke both. They certainly go together, but it is possible that I was trying to find a way to limit, “Simply Ask,” to the obvious!

Of course, God wants us to ask for souls to be saved and lives to be changed. He also wants the sick to be healed and the demons to be cast out! I have prayed and people died, and I have prayed, and people were healed. I have prayed and demons left, and I have seen them show up again if the house was swept clean and not full of Jesus. Still, it is not difficult to simply ask. It is up to us to do our part. Asking is part of whatever it takes!

Then today as I prayed, I was thinking about those in darkness seeing a great light. We are reminded to look to the Light, and we were told that we are the light of the world. First, I saw that when we are digging for the light, and we should dig for the light when we are in the dark; I saw that while I was trying to dig my way out, God was digging from the other side! We are not in it alone! Isn’t that profound! No, it is not, but it is true.

It is also true that God desires to shine His light in and through us for others who are in darkness, so they can see the way to the light. Simply ask! Then when we have asked, we need to be willing to do whatever it takes!

I will close with yet another encounter. As I prayed, thanking God for His great love, telling Him how much I loved Him, I asked Him to help me love Him like He loves me, and He asked me if that was what I wanted! I said yes! And now I am thinking of all that might entail. Whatever it takes! I asked! I believe it will be fine. Hebrews 11 presents some interesting things to consider, but He can handle it!