STAY ON THE PHONE. HELP IS COMING
- Key Verse
- "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father . . . give what is good to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:7-8, 11)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
Loving others versus things, staying pure, and earnestly seeking the Kingdom is only possible when we trust our Father by asking, seeking, and knocking on His door, believing that He gives good gifts to those who seek Him.
Reflections
This is about the time our New Year resolutions start to crash. I do a great job starting, but staying the course is hard for me. The same was true in the early church. They started out by generously sharing with each other, but must have gotten caught up loving things and using people instead of using things and loving people. So far in our study of Jesus' message to His followers, we are reminded to be consumed in loving each other, rather than hoarding treasure, which gets eaten by moths, corroded by rust, or stolen by thieves. Jesus refers to this idea of loving people instead of things as storing up treasures in heaven. (Matthew 6:20)
Sometimes, I get suckered by the enemy into believing my Heavenly Father won’t give good gifts despite Jesus’ clear teaching in our passage. When my prayers seem to be answered with “ request denied ” or “not yet” stamped on them, I get discouraged and stop knocking. God wants me to keep knocking with persistent prayer. James, the half brother of Jesus and a leader of the early church, exhorts: “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? . . . You lust and do not have; . . . You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:1-3)
I am thankful to be surrounded by others who will support me when I am down from the “no” or “not yet” answers. My biggest support comes from God's Holy Spirit who dwells inside me and works like a GPS. He tells me to turn around and urges me to go back to asking, seeking, and knocking about whatever it is that concerns me. May we continue pouring requests into His patient ear.
Discussion Questions
1. Psalm 62:8 tells us to “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour
out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” (NIV) What area in your life begs you to “pour out your heart to him” right now?
2. What request do you no longer ask of the Father?
3. What are some “no” or “not yet” answers that have been a blessing?
FAMILY DISCUSSIONS QUESTIONS
1. How do you like to be treated by others?
2. Do you treat others the way you want to be treated?
Erik Bailey
January 20, 2010 06:49 AM
Robert, glad to see your face and listen to your devo this morning! I want to thank you for all that you have done and continue do serving as a foundation leader. You have truly impacted my life and marriage with your patience, example, Godly wisdom, love and time. Great thoughts this morning. Very encouraging!
Erin Davis
January 20, 2010 07:54 AM
Great words of wisdom, Dad! That's just the encouragement I was needing this morning! Love, Er
Patricia Simmons
January 20, 2010 09:25 AM
Thanks, Robert for a great devo and thanks to you and Liz for your friendship. Great job with some very encouraging verses. I'll keep seeking Him along with others who'll hold on to me when the answers are not always what I had hoped for. I do know that when the answer is "no" it is for God's purposes which are always better than my own!
Bart Johnston
January 20, 2010 09:41 AM
Robert, This gives me hope to keep asking, seeking and knocking on His door. I know there is light if I keep seeking his plan. Have a blessed day!
Rachel Summey
January 20, 2010 10:21 AM
we are so grateful for how the Lord has used the Whites to impact our lives in huge ways!
Eric Colton
January 20, 2010 10:33 AM
Robert, thanks for passing on the great words of wisdom. I am in one of those "no" or "not yet" scenarios. I am trying to find God's blessing in it. It's tough. Keep going...
Carl Andeson
January 20, 2010 11:00 AM
Robert: You have run the race well so far. May God continue to lead you and guide you until that day you hear "Well done, good and faithful servant." Carl Anderson Sr. Pastor Trinity Fellowship Church
Ginny Burns
January 20, 2010 05:24 PM
Great job, Robert! What a great passage for you to comment on in light of you circumstances. You keep knocking and i'll knock right alongside you! Love you!
chad Davis
January 20, 2010 09:41 PM
Robert, as always, you've communicated truth in a way that is insightful and understandable. I'm lucky to have your wisdom in my life. Thanks for your presence and for these thoughts. And thanks for only being excited about the your father-ing role with the girls... Only kidding. Your son-in-law, Chad
Jan Hankinson
January 21, 2010 08:22 AM
Thank you Robert for your thoughts. God has us both in a "not yet" mode, but at least that does have us dependent and seeking Him all the time. May it be that we are truly seeking the Father, not just what He can do for us or give us, Love you!
jay Burns
January 25, 2010 12:44 PM
Robert great words brother...loved the word you spoke about using others and loving things rather than the way it should be...great line...am sure I will steal if from you in the very near future and make it my own...I'm not that creative! Love your heart and the patience you have shown in your journey. It has been tough and you have been so vulnerable and easy to love on...thanks for leading our group well and loving us more than your things! great devo and great questions!
Debbie Burns
January 26, 2010 09:37 AM
Robert, loved the last line, "may we continue to keep pouring requests into His patient ear"! These are wonderful words and questions. Great job! Jay's mother (you remember right?) :))