Always Receiving from God

This article contains the following:

What the Bible says about asking and receiving

Always receiving from God is an important action we must take during the faith journey. God freely gives many great gifts, including forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, and faith; however, we must accept, or receive these gifts, to mature in Christ.

What the Bible says about asking and receiving

“For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:8 NIV

If you want to know what the Bible says about asking and receiving, read Matthew 7:7-11. God, our Father in heaven, desires to give us what we ask for, especially when it deepens our relationship with Him. This passage in Matthew also tells us that God, our Father, gives great gifts.

Have you ever had the privilege to pray with someone to receive Jesus Christ as Savior? Sharing this beautiful experience with someone is one of the most overwhelming moments of joy in a person’s life, and it makes for the best day ever!

A couple of friends and I had the privilege to pray with a beautiful and special friend to receive Jesus Christ as her Savior. To be with her during the moment she was asking for and receiving forgiveness from God was unforgettable.

At the end of her salvation prayer, she said, “Jesus, I love you.” At that moment, the Holy Spirit filled the room, and we were overwhelmed with joy.

As I write this article, I am still overwhelmed with joy that my friend decided to receive the gift of salvation through Jesus’s death and resurrection.

The cool thing about my friend is that she is at the beginning of her faith journey. God gives more than salvation, and I know she will be ready to receive all that God gives as she grows in faith.

Receiving from God will deepen your relationship with Him and grow your faith.

Receiving from God

To receive something is an action and a decision of the will because we can refuse or not accept things offered to us.

One day, my daughter called me to pick her up from school at noon, so I bundled myself and walked outside to the car…only to remember that my son drove the car to school today. When I walked inside, two good friends offered me their vehicles to pick her up. At that moment, I had a decision to make. I could accept the offer to drive one of their cars, or I could say, “No, thank you.”

This is the same in our relationship with God. He offers grace and mercy in various ways; however, we can accept or refuse his blessings. To receive God’s blessings of grace and mercy, we must make it an action or a decision of the will.

The Bible is full of God’s offers for us to receive grace and mercy.

Hebrews 4:16 NIV says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Today is the day to deepen your intimacy with God during this faith journey by receiving from God. Start this leg of the faith journey by asking God for forgiveness, for the presence of the Holy Spirit, and faith.

Receiving forgiveness from God

“All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:43 NIV

Jesus said to Saul, “I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Acts 26:18

Dear friend, stop walking around like you are condemned. God has given you forgiveness, so it is time to receive it. The popularity of John 3:16 overshadows the very next and important verse, which is John 3:17. John 3:17 NIV says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

If you want to position yourself to receive from God, start with repentance and begin receiving forgiveness from God.

Receiving from God: the Holy Spirit

“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” Acts 2:38 NIV

“When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:15-17 NIV

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” 1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV

“And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.'” John 20:22 NIV

John 20:22 is a very powerful verse. Jesus appears to his disciples after the resurrection and breathes on them saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Dear Christian, ask God for the Holy Spirit and spend time listening for God’s presence in your life. Receiving the Holy Spirit is an amazing part of the faith journey and one of God’s most amazing gifts to us.

Receiving from God: Faith

“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:22 NIV

“Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.’” Luke 18:42 NIV

“Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.” 1 John 3:21-22 NIV

Obey God, listen to the Holy Spirit, study God’s word, and present prayers of faith to God. God can be trusted to answer prayers in ways that we cannot imagine, so receive faith and entrust God with answering prayers.

Start fresh in your faith journey by asking God for grace and mercy, along with forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, and faith. Receiving from God each of these gifts is an action on your part. Decide to accept and receive these gifts today.