“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy may be complete.” John 16:24, NIV

I don’t know about you, but I grew up hearing, “It is better to give than receive.” And while this statement is oh-so true, I also believe there are a lot of us who love to give, but have a difficult time receiving!  Does anyone else out there in cyberspace struggle with receiving?

I simply love to give – It is a joke among my closest friends that they are never to tell me if they like something in my home because I have been known to just hand the item over to them! I honestly get tremendous joy when I am able to give, but the receiving thing…well that was a much more difficult thing! Yet, I have come to the conclusion that in order to give, we must also be willing to receive!

Did you know that God is daily longing to give us gifts from Heaven? Yet, so many of us are trying to please God rather than simply receive from Him!

Will you do something with me today? Will you place your hands out in front of you and open them up toward Heaven? Go ahead…I’ll wait for you here.  Okay, now with raised hands toward heaven, let’s pray this simple prayer together, “Jesus I want to receive everything You have for me today. Amen.” Now just wait and receive from God.  Whatever you need today – God longs to give you His provision and all you have to do is receive from God.

Why do we struggle to receive? I believe that we are more comfortable giving to others rather than receiving because when we give, we are in control.  But when we receive from someone else, we are in the more vulnerable position.  It is when we open our hands to receive that we are acknowledging to others and to our God that we can’t do it on our own. The very act of lifting our hands toward heaven in prayer is admitting to ourselves that we cannot make it without a Savior. It is my prayer that we receive from God this day and forevermore.

Prayer:

“Lord, I am so thankful that You love me and nothing can stop Your love from flowing into my life today! I choose this day to receive everything that You have for me. I willingly open up my hands, my heart, my mind and all that is within me to receive from Heaven. I also long to have a giving spirit. Help me to know when to give and when to receive according to Your perfect will.  Amen.”

TWT Readers: Do any of you use coupons?

If so, I have developed a blog (www.couponswithtracy.blogspot.com) where each week I will share tips on how to save money on groceries and more.  Blessings & Happy Couponing Everyone!!!