1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Do you like giving good gifts? How do you determine what is a good gift for someone else? Is it based on who you are and what you like? Is it based on what the recipient likes? If you were to ask me what that has to do with 1 John 3:22, getting anything from God is a gift because we do not deserve anything. Much of the work based reward system says I deserve what I earned by doing the work.

Matthew 20:4, 12, 14 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

No one is more worthy than another based on works. That which we receive of God is based on those commandments which are written on our hearts and the obedience of faith which flows from a right heart attitude. The key to this passage is in the condition of the heart. If you have a heart after God, God will give you the desires of the heart.

The desire of my heart was to find a man who loves God and wants to grow in Christ to be my disciple. God granted me the desire of my heart.

A Godly desire receives a Godly gift. It is not that I deserve such a gift. The honor stems from a right heart attitude. It is not based on works that I might deem necessary to receive that honor.

Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Do you live with disappointment? Many do. Expectations come from two points of view, realistic and unrealistic. How we are raised has much to do with our understanding of realistic expectations. The rest of us have to deal with the consequences of reality. The real world has a way of slapping you around when you have unrealistic expectations.

Much of the trouble in the world today is created by parents or guardians who raised up a generation of unrealistic expectations. There is more of it today. This problem has been growing over the decades. It has always been a problem but the consequences we see are not restricted to the disappointment of individuals. They mass together to voice their disappointment with violence born of frustration due to unrealistic expectations.

They are not taught how to deal with disappointment. They cannot overcome adversity because they have been sheltered from it because of ignorance of God’s Word, His will and His way.

Proverbs 15:31-32 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

They refuse to listen for they have not been taught the greater secrets.

Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

They are given medals for nothing and told there is pride in losing. They never learned how to live with disappointment, to become an overcomer, to be victorious over adversity.

They make the best of life as best they can without ever dealing with their disappointment.

Proverbs 15:21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.