Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
June 7, 2023
Luke 11:5-13
5 He also said to them, “Imagine that one of you has a friend and you go to that friend in the middle of the night. Imagine saying, ‘Friend, loan me three loaves of bread 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has arrived and I have nothing to set before him.’ 7 Imagine further that he answers from within the house, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ 8 I assure you, even if he wouldn’t get up and help because of his friendship, he will get up and give his friend whatever he needs because of his friend’s brashness. 9 And I tell you: Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 Everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. To everyone who knocks, the door is opened. 11 “Which father among you would give a snake to your child if the child asked for a fish? 12 If a child asked for an egg, what father would give the child a scorpion? 13 If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Good Morning; Wise men still seek Him!
This passage always sparks the memory of the painting where Christ is standing outside a door with no door nob or handle. In my home church, this painting hung on the front right side of the altar area. I remember looking at this painting many times as a young person and noticing that Jesus was knocking on the door. As I stared at the painting, I wondered who lived there and if this person was at home. I don’t think it ever occurred to me that they might not open the door.
Receiving a visitor is usually exciting. Whether or not you expect someone, we typically open the door to see who has come. It’s like receiving a letter in the mail. What items come to our mailbox? Bills, junk mail, cards, hand-written letters, and flyers are all part of the mix. I place my bills in the important pile, junk mail, and flyers in the trash, and then I open the “fun” mail: the cards and personal letters. It seems unlikely we would leave inviting mail sitting on the counter unopened.
Remember when people used to sit on their porches and speak with passersby? Sadly, we have reached a time when evil has a strong hold over our society. Many sit behind locked doors, fearing who/what is on the other side. It is easy to assume the worst when we are alone and without hope. God is waiting for us to reach out, seek, and open ourselves to the invitation to follow. With God, we find the light and hope of a new day.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, [then] I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20
Amazing God, We thank you for Your blessings. We are fearful. Help us take down the walls we have constructed so we may find Your love. We Thank You! In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: At all times, God is ready to listen to my requests.
Ask! Seek! Find! Pastor Liz
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