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; 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! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
This is a nicely timed passage, as we head into our first full week of 40 Days of Focus, but I wonder if we really believe what Jesus says.
On the surface it appears that if we ask, seek, and knock, and then we’ll get what we want. Is that your experience? If not, then what is your experience?
I am fairly certain that we have some readers who do not pray. If you are one them, tell us why (anonymously is fine).
How are you doing with the 40 Days of Focus?
What else in on your mind this week?
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
48 comments:
Remember you can post prayers or thoughts about prayer on our online prayer journal. Just click HERE to do so.
Our Sunday Night Alive got off to an amazing start! We had more than double our normal Sunday evening attendance. I really appreciate everyone who came. It did this old preacher’s heart good. I really enjoyed the “family style” class. It was neat having the kids in there playing around. The kids were so well behaved! You parents are doing a great job.
I was surprised at how many were in my marriage class. I think Duane was also pleasantly surprised with the interest in his class. Wayne had about 20 in his, which is good. I really like the 5 o’clock start time. The evening at home was longer and much more relaxing.
What did you think?
Ben now knows how much we love him. Kedra and I stood with him in line outside on Saturday afternoon in frigid weather for more than hour. Why? Waiting to see the Super Bowl trophy. I don’t think I have ever been so cold! Several folks from church were working as volunteers: Mike and Julia Johnson, Pauline Cooper and her sons, and James Warren. Mike told me this morning that the organizers closed the door at 7 p.m. sharp and would not let anyone else in. He said more than 50 people did not make it in, after waiting in the cold for a long time. Mike is tender-hearted, and I could tell that really bothered him. I’m glad we got in. Ben really enjoyed the experience.
Personally, i can't stand the 5PM start time. By the time you drive a half hour back home, and a half hour back to church, you don't have much time to relax during the afternoon, but alas, i love God more than i dislike the earlier start time, so i'll always be there.
PERSONALLY I LOVE THE 5 O'CLOCK CHANGE. MY FAMILY AND I HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF THE HABBIT OF COMING TO SUNDAY EVENING CHURCH (SUNDAY SCHOOL TOO) AND I BELIEVE THE CHANGE IS GOOD. THIS WAS THE FIRST SUNDAY SINCE I CAN'T REMEMBER THAT I RELAXED AND ENJOYED THE DAY. BY THE TIME WE GOT HOME FROM CHURCH, ATE LUNCH, TOOK A NAP AND PLAYED SOME DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION WITH THE KIDS IT WAS TIME TO GO BACK TO CHURCH. I LOVED IT. ALLEN, YOUR CLASS WAS GREAT TOO. I WASN'T SURE HOW THE "KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM" WAS GOING TO WORK, BUT IT WAS GREAT TOO. JAMIE
I am excited about the walk after class, a big thank you to whoever thought that one up.
I was a little concerned about the 5 pm start time, since that is the time I go help my dad eat. Yesterday I switched with my sister for the lunch time slot, but by the time I got there after church his tray had already been delivered.
I was a little uncomfortable in Allen's class since I'm not married. I missed most of the seminars last year because I had to work but I had really wanted to attend. I don't want my presense in the class to take away from everyone else so I think I am going to switch.
Annette
Duane sent me a good article yesterday which reflects what we are trying to accomplish at the MCOC. We are working to create a united community out of the diversity that exists among all the people who attend and/or associated with our church family. Ultimately, only God can pull off such a thing. We, however, are called by God to partner with him. We are the ones “on the ground” who have to make it work (See Ephesians 4).
I think this is very much related to our passage this week, Matthew 7:7-12. This wonderful passage on prayer presents a lifestyle, an active lifestyle of prayer: we ask, we seek, we knock. Jesus does not get very specific about what we ask, seek, and knock, so it is a general approach he presents. I think we can apply these principles of prayer to the formation of community. From what I can tell, God is answering our prayers. But we will have to continue to work at it. The old adage, “Pray as if it all depends upon God and work as if it all depends upon you” doesn’t seem far from the truth to me.
Here is an excerpt from the article:
As a church planter and ministry coach, I've worked with churches who are primarily young and others who are obviously older. What these churches have in common is a voiced desire for community. Yet that "community" is often a veiled form of group narcissism. Young or old, they want to do church with people who are like us and who, in turn, are easy to like.
We want relationships in service to Christ's mission to be smooth and tension-free. We don't want to get bogged down in the messy problems raised by how differently older and younger people see the world.
As tempting as it may be to do church with friends only, there are at least three good reasons to resist age gentrification of church.
To read the rest of the article click Here.
What do you think?
Yesterday was a busy, good day. I got up early, as usual (I can’t sleep in, even if I want to; old). Had some good Focus time; ran 5 miles; met with Wayne and Gary to plan Sunday’s worship. All that was done by 10:15. Went over to Oakland City University - Bedford and taught my two classes. I teach Sermon on the Mount and Old Testament Literature. Both classes are very good and interesting. We have some wonderful discussions about life. I feel like God has placed me there to help a lot of people, and I learn a lot from my students which helps me in my overall ministry.
After class, I headed up to Indy to see Larry S. in the V.A. Hospital. I had never been there before. It is just down the road from IU Med Center and Riley, but what a different “feel” it has! It makes me sad. It was nice, however, to see Larry, Linda, and Stephanie. I left there and went over to Riley to see Libbie. Trent and his parents were there. Libbie is an amazing, delightful little girl. I have a lot to learn from her and her family. I then met Lester downtown at Smokey Bones for a nice meal. I love that boy. Got home about 8.30.
So now here I am: launched into a new day. “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it,” as I run, bag corn for BHRP, have lunch with a fellow traveler in ministry, receive God-sent “interruptions,” do some counseling/listening/helping, and hopefully some study. “Whatever happens conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.”
I appreciate the feed back about Sunday night. I think it has been very well received so far. I also appreciate Diane sharing her brief story of faith and prayer. I am thankful for you.
I have thought a lot about my Sunday evening Marriage Matters class. It was exciting to have so many eager to learn and to improve. I am going to work really hard to do the best I can in teaching this class. I would appreciate your prayers.
I have learned so much these past few months. It seems every week the subject matter applies to me. I add listen to the ask, seek, knock. I have a bad habit of trying to help people when I am not really in a position to do so. It complicates my life to the point of overwhelming me. And then it seems I am not good enough even for myself. Worse I am not as open to listen to God or see His direction because of cluttering up my life with things I shouldn't have my hands in.
Annette
Every time I listen/read the story of Adam and Eve, I try imaging what made him bite into the fruit after God forbidded him into doing it and this morning the answer came to me. Today we have a lot of Adam and Eve in this world and I will use me as an example. I had prayed and ask God for my first car in 2001 and I knew the Lord had told me to get a car from the car auction in GA, so I went back and told my lovely wife Donna about the prayer and what God had told me to do. She didnt want me to get the car from the car auction because she felt that if I would have gotten the car from the car auction, there would be a chance of something happening to the car. I stuck with the belief that God wanted me to get the car at the car auction. Well after going back and forth of debating on how I was going to get the car, I went with my lovely wife decision and bought the car from the auto dealer. now in the mist of this, her mother also was there telling me that I should get the car from the car lot. I disobeyed God because I (Adam) got tired of my lovely wife (Eve) and her mother (Satan) nagging me about getting the car from the car lot instead of the car auction like God commanded me too. two month after having the car, the marriage went down hill because now with an extra bill to be dealt with, we were now put in a financial bind. The car issue came up a lot and eventually the marriage ended. When the marriage ended I could no longer make payment on the car so eventually the car was taken. The last thing that Donna said to me in the mediator office was, you should have not listen to me, but you should have listen to God. Last night as I coming home from the feeding, one of the guy who was with us told me a story of how he almost got into an car accident because he allowed his girlfriend to change his mind when he knew deep inside he shouldnt have been driving that night. We do not know the whole situation on the story behind Adam and Eve but as a man, I can tell you this, and it goes both ways. We don't do it intentionally but when we want something taking care of, we will nag until we get it. God I know does not nag us to do anything and this is where our mistake come in at. I may be wrong but just like Adam, if I would have listen to God instead of listening to my now x-wife, our lives (Adam/Gino) would be totally different.
All:
I have enjoyed your comments this week on the blog. I was ill on Sunday and missed the new time and activities. Maybe the engineer in me, but was the increase because of the time or because of the offerings? might be something we want to explore a little bit.
I really entended to comment strictly on the blog topic but I can't seem to as my mind keeps returning to the tragedy that took place in Bedford yesterday just around the corner from our house. Actually on one of my favorite running routes. Of course you hear all the "gossip" and such but it just really tears at my heart to think a father could be this desperate in his life to do something like this. A old guy here at work who is a rough as they come. Foul mouthed and I honestly doubt he has ever been inside a church, this morning said something that just really blew me away. His commment was "God has a special place in Hell for people like that." Wow. Several topics there but just what do you all think. Is Hell Hell and all suffer the same no matter what the sin? Kind of along this line, I read that the most hated people in prison are those who have committed crimes against children. The majority of the time these individuals do not survive their sentence and if they do, they suffer greatly from the prison population.
I know off the subject but thoughts or comments.
RR
Ever Read Dante's Inferno on dergees of punishment???
Guuss I should have said punishment that fit the sin
Referring to what Ryan relayed about different levels of Hell. Here's my opinion, FWIW. I think God has already told us on various occasions that we will inherit different "mansions" in heaven based on our actions here. While we will have still gained the prize (as a gift and not by works), the prize may be a little nicer for some than others. The one thing that will be missing will be jealosy and pride to get in the way. Now, I know that the "mansion" is a term that God/Jesus used to help us relate to heaven. I think the point is that no matter how big our mansions, we still get one. I know some people that are going to have the nice one on the corner with the concrete pond out back.(a little Beverly Hillbilly's reference there for you younger one's out there)
We are told of the 12 tribes and 12 apostles seated to the sides of Jesus. That seems to imply some sort of levels.
To Ryan's co-worker's point. I think there might be different levels of Hell, but ultimately, it's Hell and more importantly, outside of the presence from God for eternity. I also get the impression from the rich man and Lazerus that people in Hell may be able to see Heavan through a one-way glass. In other words, I don't think you'll be aware of who in this life didn't make it to heaven. But in Hell, you might know who did.
We definitely strayed from the blog topic, but still something I think we need to think about.
As far as Ask, Seek, Knock. I'm living proof of that also. I have become very specific and persistant in my prayers over the years. I think it becomes more natural the more you pray and develop that relationship with God.
We are also reminded of the Widow in Luke that bugged the judge to resolve her issues about an inheritance until he gave in. He's our father, he wants us to ask.
I don't see anywhere in the Bible where it calls us to be timid. Humble, yes...timid, no.
By the way Allen, Did you list out all the stuff you did over the weekend in response to the crack I made about only working one day! You gonna start asking for OT pay!
Just kiddin' buddy!
Brent
Echoing Brent's thoughts, we have in our family seen answered prayers. He hasn't taken away the thorn of heart disease but He has given us courage and comfort in times of need and He is always there. He is our Father and he wants us to be close to Him. When we do not receive the answers we would like, it is still His will and he will bring a blessing from all the answers He gives. He wants us to live joyfully in Him knowing He will always send His answer in His time. If I get a little shack in the corner of Heaven, that's good enough for me as long as my loved ones are there too. Love, Sherron
To the person who hates the 5 o'clock start time: we could all learn a little from your attitude, thanks for chiming in. as for me, i'm undecided about the new time. I wonder if God will recognize that we are meeting since we changed His planned time for us to meet. tw
I decided to publish the sermon from last Sunday. To read it, click: Don’t Judge! Why publish this one? I think it could be one of the more important ones from the Sermon on the Mount for our present culture. What do you think?
I can’t remember how I got to this article, but evidently one of the American Idol contestants is a worship leader. Click HERE to read it, only if you want to, of course.
Will God recognize the time change? I'm hoping that was a joke but just in case you were for real. No God will not recognize the time change cause when the pastor was planning all of this, God was out playing golf with the devil. Here's your sign. Duh Duh Duh Goof. Of course he recognize the time change, who is it for you to say that we are changing God planning? How do you know that God didnt plan for the time to be changed? Do you actually think before you speak/write?
What??
Everyone knows that Bible says we are supposed to meet 3 times on Sunday and once on Wednesday. The times, however, are left up to us. If anyone would add or take away from this then the plagues will be added to his head. If anyone should take away from this, then his head will be removed.
I would give you book, chapter, and verse, but, hey, you should just trust me on this.
I don’t really know of any teaching regarding “degrees” of Heaven, but I think the Bible hints at degrees of punishment. This passage(Luke 12:47-8) seems to suggest it:
That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
I do really appreciate Brent suggesting that I receive overtime pay. I worked most of the day again today! Wow, I'm on a roll!
First I would like to say I am sorry for blowing up at tw comment. I did not take what you said as a joke. Maybe because I do not know you and I hope that you accept my apology. Someone had called me and told me that you were joking. I know that we all joke because I'm a joker as well but we have to remember that a lot of people who read these blog do not go to our church and they have no clue to whom we are, so when we write things dealing with the word, people dont know if you are joking or serious. On paper, people go what they read. In person we can tell by attitude or expressions when a person is joking or not. On paper, it is not always easy to tell.
One thing I love about this blog is huge dichotomy we see. Very cool. This seems to be serving as a great community builder as well. Be honest, how many on here would have these same discussions with the same audieance if this board was not here? I doubt that less than 10%. Thanks Allen for opening this venue. And more important, thank you God for directing Allen into this.
I know TW was joking on the time thing, but honestly, as sad as it is, there are people out there who harbor such feelings. I believe the title of the book is "Split Grape Juice" and it covers topics that the Church holds to but many are tradition vice scriptural.
Interesting article on the Idol dude.
I like Brent's point about the difference between being humble and not timid. This probably will step on a lot of toes (mine included), but I think our failure to "ask" is the result of two things. 1) just be lazy and 2) lack of faith. You can probably add a third and that being arrogance on our part that we can handle it.
One of my earliest childhood memories of church is an old picture of Christ standing in a garden knocking on a door. This verse was associated with the picture.
RR
Thanks, Ryan, for the encouragement. I love this place. I learn so much here.
Back to the passage: what is the connection between prayer and the "golden rule"?
I agree with Diane wholeheartedly. This also kind of ties in with the golden rule and prayer. Before writing something on here consider the golden rule and if that doesn't stop you then prayer will. Just a little food for thought.
Annette
I agree, in principle, guys. But, let's give Whatzisname (Whatzhername?) a break--s/he did apologize.
In response to what Ryan said, I think the biggest reason I don't pray about things the way I should isn't laziness. Sometimes, I'm afraid to ask for much for fear of being disappointed if things don't go the way I want. Is that terrible?
Donna
Yes, Donna that is terrible and you are a terrible person because of it! Ha :)
I have to agree with you that I don't pray enough too and some of it is just because I am lazy.
The born again lazy!
RR
I came across this today. Read it, and then meet me at the bottom. It is from Glen Stassen’s Living the Sermon on the Mount:
The first aspect of the kind of love Jesus teaches is that love is a way of discerning what others would want us to do for them because we can identify with their needs and interests just as we identify with our own needs and interests (“Do unto others as you would have them do to you”). Love is not simply a romantic emotion or sentimental feeling. Love is grounded in God’s love, forgiveness, and mercy. As God enters into our lives in Christ, love enters into the concerns of others and takes initiative toward others, even where this is hostility.
People who are beset by the personality disorder known as narcissism have a hard time entering into the concerns and perspectives of another because they think it would require rejecting their own concerns and perspectives. A narcissistic person cannot affirm his or her own perspective while also understanding someone else’s. If I am narcissistic, either I see things my way and reject all other ways as a threat to my perspective or else I affirm their perspective and deny my own. If you have ever been around narcissists you know the difficulty in dealing with them. They can seem quite irrational and oblivious until you understand that they see everything only through their own needs and desires. Jesus’ love, by contrast, encourages a way of perception that encompasses others’ as well as our own perceptions. It can sense empathically what another person cares about without losing one’s own sense of self. In fact, by being able to understand others develops a richer and wiser self.
Is Matthew 7:7-12 about praying in such a way that we know how to practice the “golden rule” in the community of believers and beyond?
I cannot learn to treat you well until I really grasp the love of God, and quit loving myself so much. I know how flawed and sinful I am, but I also realize how much God loves me. This thought positions me to stop my self love, to become other-directed, and to love you “as you are, warts and all.” I also know that God loves me too much to leave me the way I am, so he challenges me, urges me, leads me by his Spirit to be better, even to strive for perfection/completeness (5:48). Following the lead of God, we then urge each other to be better, to leave behind “cheap grace.” This is where careful “sawdust removal” (7:5) comes into play, right? We carefully do this in the context of prayer and with actions that we would accept from others (7:12).
What do you think? I’m just trying to figure this out...
Wow! I now come across some great stuff from Dallas Willard in The Divine Conspiracy, pages 232-3. He is talking about the importance of asking others to change, as per my previous post. This is little long, but well worth the time.
When we stand thus in the kingdom, our approach to influencing others, for their good as well as ours, will be simply to ask: to ask them to change, and to help them in any way they ask of us. It is a natural extension of this dynamic when we turn to ask God to work in their lives and hearts to bring about changes. These changes will certainly involve more than any conscious choice they could make or we could desire.
And as long as we respect them before God, and are thoughtful and gracious, we can keep asking, in appropriate ways, keep seeking and keep knocking on the door of their lives. We should note that the ask-seek-knock teaching first applies to our approach to others, not to prayer to God. We respect and never forget that the latch of the heart is within. We are glad for that fact and would not override it. We can gently but persistently keep our hopeful expectation before them and at the same time before God. Asking is indeed the great law of the spiritual world through which many things are accomplished in cooperation with God and yet in harmony with the freedom and worth of every individual.
When I ask someone to do or to be or give something, I stand with that person in the domain of a constraint without force or necessitation. We are together. A request by its very nature unites. A demand, by contrast, immediately separates. It is this peculiar “atmosphere” of togetherness that characterizes the kingdom and is, indeed, what human beings were created to thrive in.
We teach our children to say “please” and “thank you.” This is understood to be a matter of respect, and rightly so. But it is also a way of getting what we want or need. It is a way of getting that requires us to go through the freedom of the person asked, however. In the very act of asking, in the very nature of the the request, we acknowledge that the other person can say no, and, “innocent as doves,” we accept that response. We are not set to punish him or her for saying no. Yet we ask, and we are supposed to ask, and in by far the most cases he or she does not say no. “Ask,” Jesus said, “and you shall receive. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you.” That is how we are to relate to others. And that is the primary intention of this much-quoted passage.
First of all, I did not put my name into the blog because I get tired of Annette saying, be careful with what you say because I dont want you to embarrass me with the things you write. Diane, I do not know TW just like a lot of people on the blog doesnt know him so how were I/we to know that he was joking?
oops I put my name out there, so does this mean I'm a brave coward now (laughing).
I dont know if anyone seen the movie, "facing the giants" yet but it is a great Christian movie for the family and a great learning tool for those who feel like quitting at times (we all face that at one point or another). I will not go into detail about the movie but I will tell you this, if you rent it and don't learn anything from it, something is surely wrong with you spiritually because I know that I got a lot from it and I thought it was just going to be another titan movie. It is far from the titans and better. If you plan on renting it or buying it (a keeper) for the family, pray before watching it. I am going to watch it tonight again just before going to bed and I never watch the same movie two straight days. This time I'm taking notes, so Annette if you are reading this, take your break before the movie start because I went out and got me some handcuffs and I am handcuffing you to the chair. It's ashame when you have to handcuff someone to the table just because you know if they can't sit still for an hour to watch a tv show, sitting for two hours and a half is not going to work to well with them (just kidding about the handcuff part). Yes the movie is two and a half hour long but it worth it, I guaranteeeeeeeee you.
Sign brave coward Gino Hunter
God is good, i love God, God has a sense of humor, and i think God is laughing pretty hard about the blog this week. sorry that i created the confusion this week. tw
Gino; that is a good movie. At winterfest they used a small clip of that in the lesson one day. Darci and a friend went to the movies to see it and were really shocked. She came home and said it was a football movie and I didn't understand any of it.
TW, I love you man. Bare bones, cut to the chase wisdom time and time again! Yes, I think God has a sense of humor and I am sure that he gets a good laugh out of us a lot.
Allen, I am not sure I understand your last posts. Could you expand some on the topic there. Is he suggesting that we take the "gentler, kinder way" ( was that Reagon or Bush#1 that said that?) approach to conversion? Isn't that the approach that we have discussed here earlier in some blogs? We as church (not Mitchell, but the whole lot of Christians) don't want to call sin sin anymore. We candy coat it and are all nice about it. I have to agree with the respect part but isn't it time we call it what it is and cut to the chase? Maybe I misunderstood, but I am having a hard time with that.
In staying with the topic and our class discussion, I do think that we "hedge" or prayers quite often. How many times do you hear some one end a prayer in "not my will but thine be done". Some truth there but isn't that hedging? ( Donna jump in here!) I remember as a kid I wanted a puppy really bad. I knew there was no way my parents could afford to buy me one, so it would have to be free. I read the paper found a free ad and then I prayed for my puppy. I got it but in a sense I was hedging because I knew there was a chance. It seems that as adults we do that a lot. We know what we want the outcome of the request to be, we do some homework and then we tailor or prayers toward that desired outcome and the knowledge we have.
Now here is a honesty comment. I lately have found that with some personal issues, when I should be praying more I find myself just thinking about it more.
RR
Wow, Ryan, lots of stuff there to think about! I think Willard is discussing gentler way to rebuke and correct, through the use of “asking.” I am a “cut to the chase” sort of guy, and I find that some find me abrasive and offensive. I often tell and don’t ask. This has been a life-long struggle for me. I know what’s in my heart, but it is often perceived differently than I feel, think, or intend. I think I am getting better (certainly trying to), and Willard’s words really speak to me. I don’t think he is suggesting compromise and/or sugar coating in any way. I think he is talking about approach and motivation and intention–the things we mentioned at the end of the sermon on Sunday.
The other piece to this is the heart of others, however. I think narcissism is a huge problem in our culture, and it is interesting that a lot has been written about it in the last 2-3 weeks, due to the study that came out. We referenced it a couple of weeks ago in this blog. Some people “can’t handle the truth” no matter how it is presented. This is why Jesus allows us to “shake the dust off our feet” and move on and suggests that we not deal with hogs and dogs (7:6).
Well, today is the day I try finish the sermon. I don’t know what is going to happen with this one. Some days it all comes to me quickly, and at other times it doesn’t come at all. I saved something that Mike Cope had on his blog back in October about all this:
I had lunch recently with a couple twentysomething ministers. They were asking questions about creativity and preaching. So here’s what I told them:
Sometimes I can’t find a creative thought. I study, pray, work, study, and pray. My text has been translated; I’ve read it again and again in its context; I’ve prayed through it. But not one creative thought comes. At this point a sermon would be like a running commentary. I try to GET CREATIVE, but it’s like trying to hit a 98 mph fastball with a baseball that’s been shrunk down to the size of a golf ball.
But there are moments.
Sometimes it’s a creative day or a creative couple days. Times when the baseball has slowed down and has gotten back to normal size. Instead of the raw data of exegesis, I’m able to move from science to art. Connections are made. A journey for the message begins to form. I love days like this.
And then there are times — rare, really — when it’s more like hitting a beach ball coming at 20 mph. I occasionally have moments when all the fog lifts and everything falls into place. I can’t write quickly enough. I’ve had a spurt as short as fifteen minutes when a month’s worth of sermons came spilling out.
Here’s the problem: I don’t know how to control the muse. I can’t beg her to appear and I can’t cajol her through sleep, study, or exercise. She just shows up.
In the meantime, I told these guys, it’s important to be disciplined about your work: your study of the word, your praying of the word, and your living of the word.
Sometimes the creative burst comes early with plenty of lead time. Sometimes it shows up rather late. But when it comes, and thank God it usually does, you smile, soak it in, and write down every thought that comes.
My experience is very similar to his.
Okay, Allen! I'm sick and tired of you beating up on pigs and dogs! Pork is delicious and dogs are...well, dogs are way better than cats. So, lay off! :)
On the subject, I think we're taking a passage here that's fairly straightforward and making it needlessly complex. I think this passage is more about boldness and intimacy. Boldness, because we're to approach God in prayer boldly. It takes some real nerve to wake somebody up in the middle of the night for bread. I say "intimacy" because there are very few people I would wake up at midnight and ask for a favor. This is a different approach than that practiced by Jews in Jesus' day. In the Old Testament, God is distant and untouchable, cordoned off in the Holy of Holies. Jesus ties this teaching on prayer with parallels to human fatherhood ("if you, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children...")so we get the idea that God wants real relationship with us. The old days of leaving your sacrifice on the altar and going home are over.
Donna
Allen, Allen, Allen. Man I just got done reading what you wrote about people not handling the truth no matter how you present it and I have to say, Ameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen to that. If I never agree with anything else you say or put on the blog, I will always agree with you on that.
Hey Allen, can you please do a sermon on what God says about self center people. And can you be a little more truthful about it (laughing). I love this blogging.
Gino Hunter
Gino, I have been, at times, the one "who can't handle the truth." You too, probably. I think we all must realize the possibility that we are that person at times.
I always think I am right. Why would I think otherwise? While thinking I am right, I must always hold the possibility that I am not. I must “take heed lest I fall.”
Through prayer, introspection, conversation with a trusted unbiased friend, and with accountability in community, we have a much better chance of humbly receiving the truth, which may be the realization that we are wrong; it may be rebuke and correction.
Oh, nothing satisfies like beef. I do like pork. Since I like Chinese food, I have probably eaten dog (or is it cat?). Tastes like chicken.
I couldn't get last night's class off of my mind ( as I was trying to sleep And as I worked this morning). Didn't sleep much, but worked up a storm, that's how my mind works when it's stuck on something. Time to relax now. I liked what Charlie said at the beginning of class about how the asking puts us in the right relationship with God. We humbly look to Him for our needs, but we don't leave it at that,we take an active part in His solutions. As I lay awake pondering this ,Paul's letters to the Thessalonians came to my mind.When I read both books, it doesn't exactly say what my sleepless mind was making it say, but it opened my mind to more. It seems the Christians were being overly concerned about the imminent
return of Jesus. Some seemed to have even quit their jobs to wait upon His return.Paul encourages them to continue their routines and not give up (even warning to stay away from idle brothers). The part I really love is I Thess.5:12-28 . This has made me look at my life and resolve to be a more joyful,patient,kind and encouraging employer. I can see that I had become overly concerned with how I was being treated when someone comes in late or just doesn't seem to have the "attitude" I think they should have. Can't tell you how that came about ( the Spirit moves in mysterious ways),but I believe it all ties in to the participation with God and others in my life and treating others as I want to be treated.
Jesus loves me in spite of myself and my shortcomings. I am to treat others in like fashion, love them in spite of their shortcomings. This is very hard to do sometimes. I do feel so much better when I resist the temptation to say things that will hamper, hurt or discourage others. I don't always win this battle, but I strive to.
Allen said here on the blog recently something like 'others take me wrong when I have the best intentions'. Sometimes I think others take you wrong when in fact you are trying to be Christlike. Sometimes I think you can explain yourself and make people understand. Other times you just have to keep trying to do whats right and pray that God will reveal your intentions to them.
I am learning that my part is to do the best I can with my abilities, ask for more, and let God take care of the rest. Treat others with respect always, walk away or be quiet if you come close to crossing the line of un-Godly behavior.
Love is the most important thing.
Annette
My orthodox friend sent me this today.
REFLECTION Concerning the constant abiding with God, St. Anthony teaches: "Let your soul abide with the Lord at all times, and let your body abide on earth as a statue. Always stand upright before the face of the Lord. Let the fear of God always be before your eyes; and in like manner, remembrance of death, repulsion of everything worldly. Die every day that you may live; for whoever fears God will live forever. Be constantly vigilant so not to fall into laziness and idleness. Abhor all that is worldly and distance yourself from it or else it will distance you from God. Abhor all that will bring ruin to your soul. Do not deviate from God for the sake of transient things. Do not accept the example of one weaker than yourself rather from the one who is more perfect. Before all else continually pour out prayer, give thanks to God for all that would befall you. If you would fulfill all that is commanded, you will receive the inheritance `What the eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart what God has prepared' " (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Annette
You gotta read 1 Corinthians 2, its so powerful.......
1 Corinthians 2
1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.[a] 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.
Wisdom From the Spirit
6We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9However, as it is written:
"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him"[b]— 10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.[c] 14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:
16"For who has known the mind of the Lord
that he may instruct him?"[d] But we have the mind of Christ.
You know how sometimes you shake inside when the Holy Spirit is moving? This is what happened to me when I read this and I just had to share it.
Annette
I would like to thank Allen and the family for introducing me to the blog but I think it would be best if I stop blogging for awhile. I will only say that the devil has been bothering me lately, and there are things on here I read that bothers me deeply. I need to allow God to work on me and until then, I will no longer be blogging or reading the blog. The bible tells me that I need to clean up my house first before trying to clean up someone elses house and I need to start doing that. If I have offended anyone with the things I have said in the past, please forgive me.
I read an interesting article yesterday morning: Americans get an “F” in Religion. It’s about how ignorant we are of all religious beliefs, even Christianity. One of the benefits from my twice a week classes at OCU-B is what I learn from my students. I have been really surprised at the level of ignorance regarding the biblical story. Most of them, even the ones who go to church, do not understand the gospel. It really makes me think about what I say on Sundays.
And now for running news:
I am planning on running the Fitness Challenge 5K in the morning. I hope to lower my time some; I have been doing some speed work this week.
I ran the 10K in Bedford last Saturday morning. I was pretty happy with my Result, but I have a lot of work to do if I plan to qualify for the Boston Marathon sometime in the next 2 years.
Tony is running a Marathon tomorrow in Kentucky. I think he will do well.
Read the religion article in your post. I've read a few other things of the same ilk. We (conservative Christians in general, not necessarily our congregation) have emphasized application, experience and emotion at the expense of doctrine and Christian education. I read a Barna article a while back that said that once you're out of grade school, the focus shifts from Bible study to Youth Group, and Christian education pretty much ends. It's pretty hard to teach kids discernment when they don't have a basic knowledge of scripture.
Donna
It's a beautiful day today and I think we can all be thankful for the approaching warm weather.
Back to the subject matter this week, I read something this morning in the book I read from each morning to start my day regarding our Advocate, Jesus who wants us to ask, seek and knock because he knows and understands and wants us to talk to Him as He did to His Father. It goes as follows: The Pioneer of Salvation: He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. Isaiah 53:5
The one to whom we pray knows our feelings. He knows temptation. He has felt discouraged. He has been hungry and sleepy and tired. He knows what we feel like when the alarm goes off. He knows what we feel like when our children want different things at the same time. He nods in understanding when we pray in anger. He is touched when we tell him there is more to do than can ever be done. He smiles when we confess our weariness. He wants us to remember that he, too was human. He wants us to know that he, too, knew the drone of the humdrum and the weariness that comes with long days. He wants us to remember that our Trailblazer didn't wear bulletproof vests or rubber gloves or an impenetrable suit of armor. No, He pioneered our salvation through the world that you and I face daily. (Grace for The Moment II, Max Lucado)
Having had a hectic and in many ways frustrating week, I take comfort that the One who made the world can understand and carry us through. I have done alot of asking and knocking this week and He has carried me through. We went to see Amazing Grace, the movie, last night and it was really good. I recommend it. See you all Sunday. Sherron
Post a Comment