Matthew 7:7-11
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:7-11 (NIV)
Matthew 7:7-11 explains that God is pleased when His followers coming to Him with their needs. He encourages followers to use their three senses - Asking, Seeking, and Knocking, assuring them that they will be provided good things, if they honestly seek Him.
Asking is verbal; Christians are to use their mouths and petition God for their needs and desires.
Seeking with their minds, this is more than asking, but setting priorities with a focus using their heart.
Knocking involves Christians taking physical action. Although asking and seeking are of great importance, they would be incomplete without knocking. Christians not only need to love in word alone, but with actions to others - serving. It’s good to Ask and Seek God, but if you do not also Act in ways that are pleasing to God, all is for nothing. Jesus told believers to love God with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind.
However, this does not mean that we get to Ask God for whatever we desire and then He grants us our wishes. God is God, and He is the One who gets to define what is good - not us! God always has our best interest at heart. He will only give us things that are good for us, despite them sometimes not being favorable in our perspective.
If we ask for things that are not good (things that are not in our best interest) He will not grant them to us, because He is good. As a good Father, God only gives His followers things that are in our overall best interest.
Questions for Reflection:
- Do you routinely Ask, Seek, and Knock?
- If you answered NO to question 1, which one do you need to focus on? Why?
- Knocking at Southwood is one of the foundations, do you actively Knock/Service?
- If not, what things stand in your way of answering this ask of God? How can you resolve these?
- Do you sometimes ask God for things that are not in your best interest? Why?
Prayer:
Lord, help us be aware of Your desire for us to Ask, Seek, and Knock. For many, Asking and Seeking are routine, but for some of us the Knocking/Serving are more difficult. Give us the faith and strength to get out of this box and share our gifts via service to others. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen
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