Verse of the Day 1/9

Verse of the Day 1/9

Matthew 7:7-8

New Living Translation

Effective Prayer

7 "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

After Romans 8, Matthew 7 is one of my favvorite chapters in the Bible. In this chapter in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount He highlights several key points, key concepts that show us what being a Christ follower is all about. Lord willing, we will probably be spending a few days reviewing some key verses in the chapter. In today's verses I used the New Liviing Translation because it captures the "perfect tense" of these verbs.  They aren't said and done.  They are to be repeated to be offered continuously.  Keep asking, keep seeking and keep knocking on the doors of heaven. Our Father in heaven hears our prayers and even if we don't get the answers right away or perhaps don't get the answers we want, nonetheless, He is hearing us, guiding us and causing us to grow in our faith. (Philipians 1:6).

It helps knowing that we have friends, perhaps new friends that we can talk to about the challenges and concerns in our lives. But as Christians we sometimes need to be reminded what a friend we have in Jesus.

1 What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!

2 Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!

3 Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge--
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.

Repeatedly asking requires perseverance as does continuous seeking and persistent knocking. We are encouraged and give thanks for the answers to prayer that we see each day.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Matthew 7:7-12

New Living Translation

Effective Prayer

7 "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 "You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

The Golden Rule

12 "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.