Just Ask - Martin Wiles

Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! John 14:14 NLT

Ask, and you might receive; ask not, and you probably won’t. But one needed to just ask. 

Driving in unfamiliar terrain was once more frightening than now. Since there was no internet, I could not pull up directions on my computer or smartphone. My only options were to ask someone who had already been where I was headed or to purchase a map and figure it out for myself. 

And maps were readily available. The most popular place to find them was the local filling station. A place where attendants pumped gas, cleaned windshields, checked tire pressure, and monitored oil. And in the center of the pump island or just inside the station were maps. 

Having a map reduced—but didn’t eliminate—the possibility of getting lost. Names and numbers were crunched into small areas. Despite my best efforts, I’ve gotten lost. And being a typical man, I hated to stop and ask directions from anyone in the area. It was an admission that I couldn’t figure out my dilemma ... that I was less than an adequate follower of direction. I’ve wasted gas more than I care to admit while riding in circles—or sent my wife in to get directions more times than I care to remember. 

The solution was simple: stop and ask someone who lived in the area. Jesus provides such a simple solution for life in general. Have any kind of need? Just ask him. He’ll be glad to assist. 

Jesus’s help is never wrong. Others have given me faulty directions—though not intentionally. Maps have concealed information I needed to see, and GPSs and smartphone apps have sent me to the wrong place. Since Jesus is omniscient—all-knowing—I don’t have to worry about this with him. 

Jesus is always willing to help. While technology is readily available, it’s not foolproof. Others are sometimes too busy to mess with our life issues. Jesus, on the other hand, wants to be involved in every detail of our lives.

Jesus’s help is also free. Maps weren’t—and still aren’t. And although I can download a free direction app on my smartphone, the phone wasn’t free. Even if it was, my monthly service isn’t. Jesus charges zero. We ask; He comes to our rescue. 

Life issues present us with physical, emotional, social, and spiritual quandaries. But none are too difficult for the Savior of the world. 

Need a hand? Just ask Jesus.

Father, thank you for your continual readiness and willingness to help me with life issues. 

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Full Service Guaranteed - Martin Wiles

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NLT

Occasionally, I’ll drive by the shell of one—or at least see an advertising sign rising in the middle of nowhere.

When I was a young boy, self-service gas stations had not materialized. Full-service stations ruled the gas fueling world. Most had a garage where an on-site mechanic could do small—and sometimes—extensive repairs. This worked well for travelers who needed repairs but didn’t want to go to a car dealership.

Cars ran over a hose when pulling up to the gas tanks. This activated a bell letting the attendant—who might be the mechanic—know a customer awaited. While the car was fueled, the attendant washed the windows and checked the tire pressure, the oil level, and the wiper washer fluid. If the oil was low, he grabbed a quart from a display located between the tanks, inserted a funnel, and poured it in the reservoir. 

All of this came at no extra charge. Perhaps a few of these full-service stations still exist somewhere, but I’ve not seen one in years. Everything is do-it-yourself, including the opportunity to do the same at many retail stores.

Paul worshipped a full-service God. One he said supplied all his needs and would for anyone else who chose to follow Him.

God serves His children in marvelous ways. He gives us all the love we need. Humans can provide a form of love, but the love we give each other will never match God’s love. His love is agape’. It gives even when it receives no response. A major part of God’s nature is love.

God serves us by giving us everything we need to exist. He promises His children food, water, clothes, and shelter. They may not come in the abundance we want, but they’ll come in the amount we need to survive.

God’s service comes in the form of spiritual gifts. He has a wonderful plan for each of His children, and He gifts us so we can carry out that plan. He’ll never call us to do anything He doesn’t equip us to do.

God also serves us with a promise of eternity with Him. A glorious existence where sin, pain, disappointment, and the ills of this world will be forever absent.

Don’t settle for replacements that will always disappoint. Serve the full-service God.

Tweetable: Are you taking advantage of God's full-service plan?

Prayer: Father, we praise You for serving us to the fullest by meeting every need we have. 

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