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bigmike

"So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those that ask him." Matthew 7:11 (NLT)
Have you noticed that vending machines never have the best of anything? (Unless you are a Twinkie connoisseur, I think you’ll agree with me on this.) When you get a donut out of the vending machine, it’s never as good as Krispy Kreme or Dunkin’. If you get a sandwich out of a vending machine, you’ll probably wish you had gone to the local deli instead.
God is not a vending machine for prayer. You don’t put your prayers in, hope you get the good stuff, and settle for whatever you’re given.
God will only give you what’s best for you. He will never give you second best or a poor substitute.
"So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those that ask him" (Matthew 7:11 NLT).
God is not your vending machine. And he isn’t your butler, genie, or servant. So why, then, should you ask him for what you need? Because he is your Father, and he loves you more than you even love yourself. He wants to answer your prayers. He’s waiting to answer your prayers!
You don’t have to be nervous about praying. You don't have to say fancy words. You can be confident in just saying, "God, I need this." That prayer is good enough.
He will always give you what’s best for you, whether or not you know to ask for it. That should give you great confidence when you pray.
You may not have what you want because you haven’t asked for it. Start talking to God about it. Then trust that he will provide his best for you.
Talk It Over
If you really believed that God would only give you what’s best for you, what would you have the confidence to ask him for?
When has God given you something that you didn’t ask for, but you see now that it was even better than what you thought you needed?
Think of someone you know who has a consistent, deep prayer life. How would you describe their relationship with God?
If you’re ready to commit your life to Jesus and begin a relationship with him, then pray this simple prayer:
“Father, thank you for loving me and making it possible for me to spend eternity with you. I confess I don’t deserve it. I have sinned against you and lived according to my own selfish desires, and I ask for your forgiveness. Thank you for sending Jesus to pay for my sins by dying in my place.
“Jesus, today I accept you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for releasing me from judgment and making me acceptable to God. Thank you for offering me a fresh start and for giving me eternal life with you. Most of all, thank you for loving me. Jesus, I submit my life to you from this day forward. Amen.”

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