JULY 3
THE GIVER OF GOOD THINGS
Matthew 7:7-11
7 “Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (WEB)
Jesus encourages us to ask, seek, and knock. Today’s Scripture passage is based on the idea that we have a Father in heaven who is ready to give good things to those who ask Him. Although He is willing, able, and eager to meet our needs, we must do our part. We need to ask, seek, and knock.
He can't do that for us. It is something that He wants us to initiate, and when we do, He is right there waiting to give us good things. James 1:17 says... Every perfect gift comes from the Father of Lights. He is the ultimate giver of every good gift we receive... not only for believers but for those who are not believers yet too!
After all, our Father's heart is to pour out good gifts on everything He has created. The Scriptures tell us that the sun shines on both the just and the unjust, so everyone on the planet experiences God’s goodness, whether they realize it or not.
What is your response when you think of Jesus' encouragement to ask, seek, and knock? Are you asking God for good gifts? Are you seeking Him out? Are you knocking on the door, expecting Him to answer? If not, my encouragement for you today is to go for it! Our Dad loves it when we seek Him out.
Many years ago, the Lord encouraged me to ask Him to bless our lives and ministry. At that time, I realized I was more comfortable asking for His blessings for others than for myself. Still, I was obedient and asked my heavenly Father to bless our website, which was receiving 3,000 visits a day.
With newfound confidence, I asked for 10,000 visits a day! Within a week, we reached 10,000 visits daily. Another week later, we hit 30,000 visits a day! This launched the Internet phenomenon that Father's Love Letter has become, all because I asked.
My prayer for you today is that you have the courage to approach the throne of your heavenly Father, knowing that He loves you and delights in giving you good things. Not because you earn or deserve it, but because you belong to Him—something good fathers do for their children. So, what are you waiting for? Ask!
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow. (WEB)
7 “Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (WEB)
Jesus encourages us to ask, seek, and knock. Today’s Scripture passage is based on the idea that we have a Father in heaven who is ready to give good things to those who ask Him. Although He is willing, able, and eager to meet our needs, we must do our part. We need to ask, seek, and knock.
He can't do that for us. It is something that He wants us to initiate, and when we do, He is right there waiting to give us good things. James 1:17 says... Every perfect gift comes from the Father of Lights. He is the ultimate giver of every good gift we receive... not only for believers but for those who are not believers yet too!
After all, our Father's heart is to pour out good gifts on everything He has created. The Scriptures tell us that the sun shines on both the just and the unjust, so everyone on the planet experiences God’s goodness, whether they realize it or not.
What is your response when you think of Jesus' encouragement to ask, seek, and knock? Are you asking God for good gifts? Are you seeking Him out? Are you knocking on the door, expecting Him to answer? If not, my encouragement for you today is to go for it! Our Dad loves it when we seek Him out.
Many years ago, the Lord encouraged me to ask Him to bless our lives and ministry. At that time, I realized I was more comfortable asking for His blessings for others than for myself. Still, I was obedient and asked my heavenly Father to bless our website, which was receiving 3,000 visits a day.
With newfound confidence, I asked for 10,000 visits a day! Within a week, we reached 10,000 visits daily. Another week later, we hit 30,000 visits a day! This launched the Internet phenomenon that Father's Love Letter has become, all because I asked.
My prayer for you today is that you have the courage to approach the throne of your heavenly Father, knowing that He loves you and delights in giving you good things. Not because you earn or deserve it, but because you belong to Him—something good fathers do for their children. So, what are you waiting for? Ask!
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow. (WEB)