A Daily Devotion for Thursday, September 10
Matthew 7:7-12
“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; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
“Which of you, if your 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! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.“
At first I was a bit confused about why this scripture was chosen to accompany this devotion. Sometimes I do believe we can get too caught up in praying for one specific thing, like a new church building. If it is not God’s will for a new building to become available or to be built, it will not happen. But, God’s will is certain to happen. Maybe when we ask God for bread, we will get a muffin. It is not exactly what we asked for, but it is sustenance, and it is not a stone. If we hope and pray for a steak dinner, we might end up with a bologna sandwich. But I do believe that God provides, and there are lessons to be learned along the way from recognizing God’s will. Today I pray for gratitude, to recognize answered prayers even when the answers do not seem to fit my questions. Amen
Becky, transforming
Matthew 7:7-12
Although I think the scripture reading is more about God wanting us to come to Him when we need help, the Upper Room writer’s message about the future and how God is calling us to support the next generation did resonate with me. Recently, I have been looking for ways to spread the Word in a more active manner. The good Lord dropped an opportunity in my lap…an opportunity to teach Sunday school at the fourth and fifth grade level. I start this Sunday.
Heavenly Father, thank you for always listening to my prayers. Please help me to ask You for what I need and seek your wisdom. Thank you for the opportunity to teach and share Your…
Matthew 7:7-12
This morning’s Upper Room reflection struck a nerve. It was focused on something that the Church writ large has not done well. The Catholic and Orthodox churches as well as Jewish synagogues still administer a rigorous catechism to the children who attend with their equivalent of their confirmation being a significant celebration. I remember my cousins going to “Greek School” when we were growing up. These faith traditions provide a foundation for continued spiritual formation for future generations. Very few Protestant churches now have an active Sunday School or offer confirmation classes for youth. We see the results of these decades neglect in the pews and in the closing of dozens of churches every year. This is what…