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Knock on the Door

9/18/2017

1 Comment

 
Matthew 7:7-8
 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

When is the last time you have asked Jesus for understanding? We have a tendency to seek Jesus for stuff, for healing, for provision, for relationship; however, we can also seek Him for understanding and knowledge. Ask and it will be given to you! If your don't understand something going on in your life, if you don't understand something in the scripture, SEEK Jesus. Ask Him to open your mind to understanding. You have to remember that Jesus works through His children so His answer may come in the form of a sermon, a devotional, Godly council, or many times a small still voice that empowers your understanding to highest levels. His word says seek and you will find. Pretty Sheree has in the past opened my eyes to my lack of effort in looking for something. Have you ever done that, just kind of walked around acting like you are looking for something, acting like you are seeking, but you know it ain't happening. You are just going through the motions. We can do some pretty ridiculous things when this is our mode of seeking. Like opening the refrigerator when you are looking for a pair of socks. Or opening the pantry door when you are trying to find your keys. When we lackidaisically approach our search we generally walk around lost. The same is true with our spiritual search. If we don't understand something in scripture, or in a message, and we just wander around aimlessly, emphatically stating we just don't understand, but we fail to diligently seek understanding, we walk around lost. We get caught up in a spiritual sticking point that leaves us hurting and confused. We generally will not stay there long. So many times we abandon ship and the opportunity to grow dissolves into the pit. I encourage you today if you are struggling with something, seek Jesus Christ and His answers. But don't just seek Him like laggardly, seek Him with your whole heart. Dogmatically go after the answers. When I was seeking clarity from the Lord on alcohol and the christian faith, it lead me to write a thirty page document with numerous scriptures and statistical data. The notes for this document was probably 100 pages. If you want to overcome doubts that you have, and experience the freedom of God truly showing you the way, the truth and the life, then you must dive in and seek him whole heartedly. What does this mean? It means get out your Bible, your pen and paper, your phone, computer, iPad, dictionaries, concordance, and any other resources and become an investigative reporter. But truly investigate, truly dive in and gain an understanding. I am amazed at how people in the middle of a message will Google something in doubt or disbelief and walk away from that little quick search like they should be on 20/20 or something. Neglecting the fact that the pastor or speaker has researched the info and has evaluated several resources and vetted the information, prayed over the information, and presented the material. If your mode of seeking is a thirty second google search, then receive your thirty second answer and good luck. However, if you are looking for deep spiritual strength and understanding STUDY to show yourself approved. SEEK Jesus and the answers you desire with your whole heart. Always examine your motives and be pure of heart and open to the truth. Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God and let Him teach you and show you who He is intimately. In the words of Mitchell Dean, if you want find the answers to your current doubts and/or struggles, then put down the rake and stop just scratching the surface and pick up a shovel and truly dig for your answers. I pray that the Holy Spirit will lead, guide and direct you through your journey.I pray that your journey will begin today.
1 Comment
Luke Wilson
9/19/2017 10:35:58 am

If your mode of seeking is a thirty second google search, then receive your thirty second answer and good luck

This is so powerful! Too often we hear a word from the Lord, via the pastor or someone else, and He tells us to seek a word for our direction-- where God wants for us to go and we expect the 30 sec Google search to give us our life plan. We expect it to give us the direction that God is calling for us to follow. God is saying SEEK Me and you will find Me, He doesn't say Google me and I'll be there on the first answer, he says SEEK after Me, look for Me, chase after Me, and I'll be standing right there! I'll be that small still voice saying "this is the way, walk in it." The relationship God is desires is much like John Piper describes it: "God is most satisfied in us when we are most glorified in Him."

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