September 16, 2014
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7, NIV).
Friend to Friend
I have always loved giving gifts to my children – all kinds of gifts including hugs, kisses, time, and love – as well as material things. When the kids were young, we didn’t have much money, so the gifts were small, but the kids didn’t seem to mind.
Dan and I now have five grandchildren and I am in so much trouble. I want to give them everything! I know I need to give them the important things such as love, time and training in the ways of God, but I find myself in the same situation I was in when our children were babies – little money - but a big desire to give.
I once took our daughter-in-law shopping for Jaydan and Lelia, our six-year-old twins. I had a list of items I wanted to purchase and was disappointed when I found only half of the items on the list. But it was getting late, and the babies began to “tell” us that they were over shopping. We checked out, loaded the babies into the car, and headed home.
When Jodi leaned over to kiss my cheek and thank me for the gifts, I said, “You are welcome, but it’s not enough!” Jodi chuckled, but I was serious! “No, you don’t understand,” I continued. “We have to go shopping again because my heart is not excited enough!” I know. I am totally ruined, but I am going to try very hard not to ruin Jaydan and Lelia.
On the way home, I analyzed my words and my heart. I fully realize that material things won’t satisfy the deepest needs of our grandchildren. I am also committed to helping them grow in Christ. I know I can love them in many ways…and I do…and I will…but I will always want to give them more.
Our Father has the same heart when it comes to giving His children good things. The problem is that we don’t really believe Him. We measure His love by how much we have done or accomplished, or even by what we haven’t done or promised not to do.
God’s love cannot be measured.
God doesn’t love us because we are so lovable. God loves us because He is love.
One of the most tragic results of our unbelief is an ineffective prayer life. We pray, not really believing God wants to or really will answer those prayers.
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; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his 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).
In this teaching about prayer and the nature of God, Jesus describes the child-parent relationship. The son has been working in the fields all day and comes home – starved – to find his family seated at the dinner table covered with steaming, delicious dishes of food. I can almost see that tired and hungry boy’s eyes zeroing in on the food, salivating in anticipation of the meal before him. The father, seeing his son’s hunger, tosses his son a rock and says, “Here! Eat this!” Jesus is driving home the truth that good fathers want to give their kids good gifts. If this is true of earthly parents (and grandparents), imagine what our Heavenly Parent wants to give us.
Don’t think you have to figure out a way to steal a blessing from God.
Don’t believe you have to trick Him into giving up what He would rather keep for Himself.
God’s wants to give to His children. He longs to bless you! God is not only able to answer your prayer, but God wants to answer your prayer. Don’t be afraid to ask!
Let’s Pray
Father, I find it so hard to understand Your love for me – that it doesn’t rest in what I do or don’t do. I want everything You have for me, Lord. Today, I choose to believe that You stand ready to encourage, empower and equip me for whatever comes my way. Teach me to ask.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Focus on the blessings God has given you. Make a list of those blessings in your journal and praise Him for each one. Read and record 1 Chronicles 16:34 in your journal: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.
More from the Girlfriends
Need help learning to trust God? Check out Mary’s 10-Day Trust Adventure for a ten-day faith tune-up. And be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.
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Originally published Tuesday, 16 September 2014.
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