Do I Really Want It?

Acts 12:8
Sometimes we pray earnestly for something and we even have others pray with us about it. When God decides to answer and deliver us, sometimes He makes sure we were really serious about what we were asking, if we will truly follow through with it. People had been praying for Peter and I'm sure he had been praying and God answered, but when the angel came he gave Peter some instructions. Now think if he wouldn't have followed the instructions, maybe God wouldn't have delivered him. Maybe God would say, "If you aren't serious about it I don't have to follow through with it."
How often do I pray about something and God's ready to answer it, He's just waiting for me to follow some instructions? So I follow them? The blessings as a result of obedience to those instructions is more amazing than the fear or doubt of if I really wanted God to answer. So how about you? How many things are you praying about but God's waiting for you to following the instructions so He knows you're serious about it?

Replenished Supply

Did you ever think of how the Lord replenished things for the Israelites? Daily He provided manna and quail for them to eat. He provided protection their whole lives and allowed them to be defeated a couple of times to humble them. When they were in the wilderness their clothes didn't wear out, neither did their shoes. Amazing! If only that would happen with my favorite skirts and shoes.
But really I was thinking of how they were in the wilderness because of their disobedience and they were there until all those that came out of Egypt died off. And to think that the God that replenished the Israelites' necessities is the same God I serve today. He will provide for me everyday, everything I need and even things I want. He will keep me safe and just like the Israelites humble me when needed, which seems to be very often. Praise the Lord that the God I serve is the same God that led Abraham, that comforted Ruth, convicted David of sin, gave Esther courage, endowed Solomon with wisdom, sent His Son to the cross, allowed Paul to live and serve with his infirmities, and give me the strength to live each day. What a privilege to live for God and not have to worry about anything! Because He still provides the same.