Is there some big obstacle standing in your way; some impediment that prevents you from making the progress you want in your life? Perhaps you do not see things the same way I do. Paul complained of a thorn in his flesh, something he did not want and asked me three times to remove. This is what he wanted but I told him that my grace was sufficient for him. This is not what he wanted but he found out it was true and the thorn I refused to remove was part of my process of grace in his life. Do you have a thorn of your own? Are you still at the stage of asking me to remove it?

What do the poor want? Those without food, drink, shelter, and clothing are very aware of these basic needs and are highly motivated to fulfill them. Once these necessities are met the concept of desire does not go away, but it does change. The wealthy spend just as much time in the pursuit of their desires as the poor, but the search is not as focused. The wealthy are not as able to articulate what they want, and more expensive versions of toys do not bring satisfaction.

Why do you pray? Do you like the promises that you can have anything you ask for in prayer? How has this worked out for you? Yet if you believe it, what would you ask for? You know better than to offer selfish prayers, and you are sensitive enough to be aware when others do this. I have already promised to meet the needs of believer and unbeliever alike, whether they pray or not. So what if prayer didn’t ‘get’ you anything except a change in yourself? Would you still pray as fervently as you do now?

You are familiar with my admonition not to judge others, for in doing so you establish a standard by which you are judged. Have you ever heard anyone criticize Shakespeare as an author, or Beethoven as a composer? Those doing so are inviting criticism of their opinions, for the reputation of these men is better established than the opinions of their critics. You don’t have to wait until the end of the age for harsh judgment to work against you. Haven’t you seen an immediate response, that those who offer judgment without mercy invite judgment by the same standards against themselves?