Drop The Ball Again

As you can tell, Charlie (our dog) loves to play ball. There are a few things about Charlie that are sort of important to note though. Charlie isn't a annoying dog. What I mean is that Charlie doesn't bark a lot, he doesn't constantly want attention. All Charlie asks is to be where you are and from there he's pretty content. However there is one thing Charlie is pushy about, and that's his tennis ball when he wants to play!

As I sit and write, Charlie is sitting under my chair and every few seconds I hear the tennis ball hit the floor. I'm not saying anything to him, I'm not looking at him, and he knows it! In order to let me know he wants to play and to get my attention, he keeps dropping the ball. Some how my dog has been able to figure out that if he drops that ball enough, eventually I'm just going to pick it up and throw it so he can play.

Have you ever felt that way with your relationship with God? Sometimes it's like your sitting up under Gods feet dropping the ball over and over so maybe you'll catch his attention. Well check out what the Word tells us about dropping the ball for God.

1 John 5:14-15 14This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

1. Have Confidence with God

My dog isn't shy when it comes to playing ball. I know he's ready to play because I can hear his feet running across the floor along with the sound of the ball dropping. Charlie is usually pretty confident that he's going to get his wish. The scripture shows us that we can have confidence when approaching God. God knows who you are. You don't have to introduce yourself to Him. Don't be timid, don't be shy. Go before Him with confidence!

2. He's Listening

Why does Charlie drop the ball over and over? Because he knows I'm listening. He knows that I'm listening to him drop the ball. He knows it's the sound because I'm not looking at him, talking to him, or touching him. There is no contact or communication on my part. But somehow he knows that dropping the ball makes me listen to the fact that he's ready to play. God is listening to you! You can even be confident about it! Sometimes it seems like it's not working because you may not feel any communication from God. But the scripture assures us that He is listening to you. When you say, "He doesn't care about me." Or, "He's not listening to me." Cut that out of your mind because you can be CONFIDENT that He is LISTENING!

3. He Will Answer

Charlie says, "If I drop the ball enough, he'll throw it!" Know what? He's right! Notice what the scripture says before you get the word that it will be done. It says if you know He hears you. It's showing importance of you being certain (having faith) that He really is listening. Then we are told that we will have what we ask of Him. Isn't that great! Let's see, first on my list is a PHAT new HOUSE! Then I'll take that new CHOPPER I've been wanting! Wait a second, I missed something!

The scripture tells us something very important that we missed (and it is usually missed a lot). We must ask according to His will. What does that mean? It means that God knows what's best for us and we have to understand that. I argue with God all the time about that. I try to tell Him it will work out better if He will listen to me. But then after many hard lessons learned, I realized God was right all along. I have to ask things from the sincerity of my heart, and as I ask God realize that whatever answer He gives (whether yes or no or the answer I want) is going to be apart of His greater will for my life.

So Drop The Ball Again!Be confident going to God. He hears you! And the coolest thing is, He's going to answer you! And remember that if He doesn't see things your way, it's really for the best (He is God after all).

Drop the Ball!

Brandon