Is It Wrong To Ask For Things I Desire? Dear God!

       Sometimes I feel guilty asking for the things I need and want because there are so many people with greater needs and more desperate situations than mine. Is it wrong to ask for the things I desire, even though they seem extravagant?

Dear Extravagant,

       God is a good God. God's Word is extravagant! He says, "anything you ask" (Mark 11:24); and "whoever believes" (John 3:16)

       I have an extravagant God with an extravagant language to make me an extravagant person. There is nothing too hard for God! He longs to give you the desires of your heart...so long as your heart is lined up with His.

       Solomon, who so pleased the heart of God that God said to him, "Ask! What shall I give you?" (1 Kings 3:5), answered: "give to your servant an understanding heart...that I may discern between good and evil." (1 Kings 3:9) The bible goes on to tell us that God was so delighted with Solomon's response that He not only gave Solomon what he had asked, but gave him wisdom and understanding greater than any man had ever possessed, or ever would posses! But He is such an extravagant God that He didn't stop there!

        "And I have also given you what you have NOT asked; both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days." (1 Kings 3:13) Now that's extravagant!

       God's word tells us that He wills above all things that we prosper and be in health! He says that He delights in the prosperity of His servants! It's a good thing to be prosperous. If you're only "getting by", how are you going to carry out the great commission? How are you going to be a lender and not a borrower? How are you going to be able to help the poor?

       Only believe, only believe. All things are possible, only believe. The importance of that chorus is the word ONLY right in the middle. If you can begin to see that when you get rid of yourself, all human help and everything else, and only have God standing behind you, you have reached a place of success.

        "As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he said unto the ruler of the synagogue, be not afraid, only believe." (Mark 5:36)        The key is to have your priorities straight. Solomon sought wisdom and understanding above all else; so God blessed him with those things as well as with material wealth.

        "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33)

Gail Ramsey, an ordained minister, portrayed the role of Susan Moore on the ABC soap opera General Hospital. She had other roles on the TV programs Mike Hammer, Generations and California Dreams. Today, Ramsey leads Semeion Ministries, where readers can write her at P.O. Box 77, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43063.