Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
July 26, 2022
Read Luke 11:1-10
1 Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 Jesus told them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, uphold the holiness of your name. Bring in your kingdom. 3 Give us the bread we need for today. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who has wronged us. And don’t lead us into temptation.’” 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.
Good morning! Seek and you shall find!
When I opened today’s passage, I thought hmmm . . . this is the passage that I used for my sermon the past two days. In my sermon, I focused upon the idea that our prayers should include praise, asking for forgiveness, and then asking for your needs. My main focus centered around the need to develop a close relationship with God and through this relationship prayer becomes more personal and open.
This morning I would like to look more closely at vs. 9-10 and the vs. that follows which says that even we who are evil give good gifts so imagine the gifts that God gives to those who ask. Again, we are back to the idea of a relationship with God. The reverse idea from these verses is if you don’t ask, you won’t receive. If you don’t seek, you won’t find, and if you don’t knock, the door won’t be opened.
Accepting Christ is more than saying yes, I believe. We are called to take action and to be bold as we work to serve our Lord. Coming to church and sitting in the pew every Sunday is a start, but it’s not enough. Why do we attend church? Is it out of obligation or habit? We should come to church to receive the nourishment that we need to continue our mission to go out and make disciples and to save lost souls.
The amazing part is that we can’t fathom all that God can give to those who ask. God fills those who ask with overflowing love, peace, and joy. When someone asks, why do you believe in God, the answer should gush out of you: I believe in God because he loves me and provides me with never ending grace and mercy.
Imagine the results for those who never seek God’s love. What if you never knock on the door? Those who don’t reach out will be left behind standing in the darkness. We are given the task of being the light of Christ for the world and gathering all of God’s lost children. When we all go to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!
Loving and Caring God, Thank You for loving us. Sometimes we forget that we are part of Your plan to save the world. We think that we don’t know what to do. Help us to trust in You and follow as we are led by the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God answers my prayers — sometimes in unexpected ways.
Ask! Seek! Knock! Pastor Liz
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