First Prize

Therefore I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for — believe that you have received them, and you will have them.
Mark 11:24 HCSB

Jesus had just cursed a fig tree the day before and now it was withered. The apostles were amazed. Jesus is telling them to believe when they pray and they will have. However of we look at the story, Jesus did not appear to pray, or did He?

The next day when they came out from Bethany, He was hungry. After seeing in the distance a fig tree with leaves, He went to find out if there was anything on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again! ” And His disciples heard it.
Mark 11:12‭-‬14 HCSB

What we see is a bold statement, a command. Where is the prayer? Is it a quiet internal pray that Jesus prayed to the Father? Was He demonstratinc a lesson of faith intentionally?

We don't really know because we are not told. What we are told is to be bold. Going around cursing free trees was not the intent, neither was it actually cursing anything. Boldness was the intent. Boldness in prayer!

I find I become bolder the harder my circumstances turn out. Difficult times make me bolder. I say: " ok God! If air mist go through this I want a bigger prize!" I then increase my asking. I push into God. To date I have asked for huge things.

Don't become a wimp! Stand up and fight! Go for gold! Last night I sat up and watched the Australian Open men's tennis finals. I watched Roger Federer slog it out with Raffa Nadal. When you fight you give it your all. There is only one prize. I watched Nadal accept the silver plated graciously but his eyes hungered for the cup, first prize.

First prize in life is the only prize. My God telling me "Well done!" Is the only prize. Amen!