The "IF" Factor

I preached a sermon not long ago called the "If" Factor. History hinges on "IF". If things had gone a certain way, or If a person was not in a particular place at a particular time, if certain things were not said, the world as we know it today could be very different. Even in our own lives the "IF" factor has played an important part as to where we are as opposed to where we could be. How many of us can look back with regrets because time has proven that we made the wrong choices and "IF" we did it another way or made another decesion how much further we would be in our lives? In some cases the "IF" factor made a difference between life & death. Some of you may wonder why your prayers have not been answered. It is because of the "IF" factor. Have you noticed that many of the promises of God in the Bible have a "Pre-requisite" meaning there is something you must do FIRST before the promise kicks in. It is like a chain-reaction. For every action on your part there a a reaction on His part. "Delight yourself in the LORD (You) and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Him) "Seek ye first the kingdom of God (You) and all of these things will be added" (Him) "If you abide in me and let my words abide in you (You) you can ask what you will and it shall be done unto you" (Him). Have you really done the pre-requisite??? Have you delighted yourself in the LORD? Have you really prioritized the LORD's will and sought Him first. Are you abiding in His word??? Hence, the "If" factor. "IF" you are, the blessings will follow and the scriptures fulfilled. "IF" not, the will go unfulfilled. But here is something else to think about.. "Rev, how come God didn't answer my prayer?" Maybe He did... He just said NO! BLESSINGS!!!