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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Extra (08/29/13)
The dirty little orphan boy got up from the table and cautiously approached the server. He stopped just out of the ragged man’s reach, and his trembling hands held out the empty bowl. “Please, sire. May I have some more? Just a little extra?” He turned his face away, expecting at any moment to have the bowl slapped from his hands and a furious “NO!” shouted at him.

It is sad that some Christians view prayer that way. They see themselves begging for scraps from a God who is angry at them, but nothing could be farther from the truth.

A little extra? Who is asking for a little extra? You are, and you are not a dirty orphan being taken care of by an administrator. You are a child of God. You are adopted already. You are a son of the king, joint heir with Jesus Christ, and the apple of God’s eye! You are not a dirty little sinner saved by grace. You are a saint who sometimes sins. You get the dirt of the world on your feet, but Jesus washes it off. The child has the right to ask the Father for anything, even a little extra.

A little extra? Are you begging for a few crumbs? If you are, you don’t understand what you are doing. You are approaching the Throne of Grace. You are making a legal petition to a great judge and king. He has the authority to grant you far more than you could possibly ask or think. Just make your petition in the proper manner. You were made a joint heir by the blood of Christ; therefore, make your petition by using the authority of the name of the one who shed the blood. All authority on heaven and earth belongs to Jesus. He gives you the right to use his name. Use it to petition the judge and king. You are not a beggar. You are making a legal request. Make your case heard on behalf of Jesus. You are his power of attorney. The judge sees you speaking for Jesus. He cannot deny his own son, neither the one who represents him.

A little extra? Just a little? What do you want? Tell him. Do you want the pain to ease, or do you want to be cured? Do you want to hear from God, or do you want to know him intimately? The storehouses of heaven are yours for the asking. Why do you ask for so little? Is your pride getting in the way? Ask for a humble heart. Are you afraid to ask such a king? Ask for a heart to love him more deeply, because love casts out fear. Ask so you can experience fullness of joy. Ask because the Father is longing to be gracious to you. Ask because it pleases him to hear your request, for you to receive it, and for you to share it with those whom he created.

We are not dirty orphans begging for scraps. We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. How strange is it, then, if God is using us to make his appeal, we so often fail to understand that he anticipates our appeals to him? We don’t see ourselves as God sees us, so we make it difficult to ask for anything extra. How sad that must make him.

Don’t stop at extra. Go beyond extra. Ask for it all. Ask for the world. You have the relationship. You have the authority. You have the identity. You don’t need anything extra.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Brenda Rice
09/08/13
You have a great message in your entry. It is well written, but I felt a bit preached at when I read it. I'm sure that wasn't your intention at all.

Thanks for sharing
C D Swanson 
09/09/13
I loved this entire message. It was well written and powerful in its execution, and certainly on topic.

Thank you for this precise to the point devotional.

God bless~
C D Swanson 
09/12/13
Congrats! God Bless~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
09/13/13
Congratulations for ranking 5th in your level and 20 overall! (The highest rankings can be found on the message boards)
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
09/21/13
This is a beautiful devotion. I really liked the story in the beginning. It drew me in and I was eager to read more.

The only red ink I might offer would be to include a prayer. I like prayers in devotions and in this case it would be a perfect fit. Many people have no ideas how to pray and seeing it written out helps.

I think you also had a strong ending. Many people struggle with an ending, but yours wrapped up your message quite nicely. I also think you nailed the topic. It's a fresh and fascinating take on the topic. This piece will make people stop and think. Good job!