HOW SHOULD YOU APPROACH THE LORD WITH YOUR REQUESTS?

SCRIPTURE:
The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come 
under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 
(Matthew 8:8)

MEDITATION:
A “centurion” was an officer 
commanding a Roman army group of around 100 men.
It was a prestigious position and a centurion was respected by the people.
As a soldier, 
he understood the hierarchy of rank and the position of authority.
More than likely he received requests from those under his command, 
but now he was making a request from someone 
in a higher position of authority than him.

The Centurion could command his men to go and they would go.
If he commanded his men to come they would come.
But since he respected the higher authority of Jesus, 
he didn’t ask Him to come.
Instead, he showed His faith in Jesus when he asked Him 
to “just say the word” and his servant would be healed.

Do we understand and respect Christ’s authority? 
When He says to us, “Go", do we go? 
Or when He says, “Come", do we come? 
Do we meet Jesus on His terms, or ours?

Jesus loves us so much that He is ready and willing 
to respond to our requests, if we will just ask.
You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get 
what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you 
do not ask God. (James 4:2)

However, when we ask, we must have the right attitude.
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)

And when we ask, we need to ask with faith.
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who 
doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:6)

ACTION:
Have do you respond to the Lord’s command for you to ‘go’?
Do you respond by going, or just ignore His voice?
You may ask, “How do I know when He asks me to go?”
When you make an effort to build a relationship with Him 
and obey His commands, you will know when He speaks to you.

For starters, how are you responding to His command to “go” to church?
Do you willingly obey His command, 
or just ignore Him because His words do not fit your lifestyle?
Don’t disregard His command to “Go”.
Resolve to start obeying Him more 
so you can enjoy a close relationship with the Lord.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, help me to challenge myself to seek the face of Jesus. 
Open my spiritual understanding so that I can clearly hear the Lord’s voice 
and respond appropriately. Forgive me for allowing my selfishness to cause 
me to disobey Your commands. Teach me to respect Your authority, and to 
understand that when You command me to ‘go’, it is because it is important 
to You and beneficial for me. Help me to understand the requirements of 
coming to You with my requests.”