BIBLICAL WEALTH

You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God

James 4:2

God is the creator of the universe. He is all powerful and all knowing. He can solve your greatest problems. Here's the best part... He loves you as a father loves his child.

You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 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 who ask him.

Matthew 7:9-11

ACTIVATING BIBLICAL WEALTH IN YOUR LIFE

Essential Ingredient #3 - Prayer

Prayer is simply, talking to God. 

Have you tried it? If not, give it shot right now. Pour out your heart to your Creator. Pray regularly and pray often.

Here's more from the Bible about prayer...'''

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit —fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

John 15:16

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

1 John 5:14-15

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

Jeremiah 33:3

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Mark 11:24

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

John 14:13-14

REMEMBER THE RELATIONSHIP

You might be thinking... hey, I prayed and nothing happened. 

Remember, God doesn’t work for you. God is God and you are not. Don’t expect to pray and poof... your wish comes true (although sometime it does happen).

The Father / Child relationship helps us understand God and prayer.

Coca Cola for Breakfast

Growing up, my father didn't give me everything I wanted. One of my earliest memories was our family got up early in the morning for a drive to the Smokey Mountains. We stopped at a roadside diner for breakfast. I think I was 4 years old and I wanted a Coca Cola as part of my breakfast. My dad didn't let me. I was crushed and being a 4 year old, I threw a public temper tantrum.

As an adult, I understand why my father didn't let me drink Coca Cola for breakfast. Sugary drinks are not good for you. My father was helping me build healthy habits. To this day, I don't desire sugary drinks and my kids don't either. 

God knows you better than you know yourself. He has your best interests in mind. Sometimes God says "No" to a prayer because he knows what's best for you. 

The Motorcycle

When I was a teenager, I asked my father for a motorcycle. My father said, “That’s a great idea, but… it’s going to require action on your side”. He told me to work, save money and buy second hand motorcycle. I got a job washing dishes, saved, and after months, I proudly bought a used Yamaha DT 100 motorcycle.

The experience helped me build a work ethic. Dealing with bosses and co-workers taught me people skills. Saving money taught me delayed gratification. These lessons have helped me in all areas of life long after that motorcycle was sold to another teenager. 

I would have missed these life lessons if my father had bought me a motorcycle instead of making me work for it.

Don’t be surprised if God answers your prayers like my dad, “That’s a great idea, but… it’s going to require some action on your side”.

The action on your side may include… trusting God, patience, asking, seeking and knocking on doors.

STARTING OVER

When I started reading the Bible and praying, I just lost my business, was broke, had bills to pay and mouths to feed. To make matters more complicated, we were Americans living in Beijing, China.

My prayer then was simple, “Lord , help me find a job. My family, we put our lives in your hands. We ask for your blessings and give you thanks.”

The job didn’t magically appear after I finished praying. Action was required on my side. I had to Ask, Seek and Knock.

ASK

Repeatedly, I asked God for help. In addition, I networked and asked many people about jobs and opportunities in China.

SEEK

Seeking opportunities became my job. I searched the internet, attended trade shows and checked with multiple chamber of commerce offices.

KNOCK

Literally and figuratively, I knocked on many doors in person and via email. 

Jesus (God himself) promises…

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 7:7-8

These words by Jesus are so important, it’s repeated again in Luke 11:9-10.

Prayers backed by faith and action of Ask, Seek and Knock are POWERFUL.

Prayer Answered

It took around 4 months before my prayer for a job was answered. It was a dream job for me. I was given the opportunity to lead the China market entry of a business unit for Philips Electronics. The job allowed me to hire a team, setup a distribution network across China and allowed extensive travel throughout China. The head office of the business unit was in Vienna, Austria resulting in many trips to Europe.

This job evolved into an exciting career in China and was an income source for investing in income producing hard assets (I’ll discuss more of that later).  

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

HOMEWORK

Begin the habit of daily prayer. Talk to God about anything on your heart. Trust God and... Ask, Seek. Knock

Best Wishes!

Dragon Xu

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