God Direction: Ask, Seek, and Knock

These directions sound simple enough but, what do I ask? What do I seek? and where do I knock and why? Let's go straight into the Bible reading.

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."

Now we are talking. Whatever I ask for God promises to give me. Hold on for a moment, while those who teach and preach the prosperity doctrine would say this, I think that is taking these verses out of context. The prosperity doctrine teaches: name it then claim it. They will say things like first you ask then you seek and if you don't receive what you asked for it is because you didn't believe or you have too much sin. Yes there are many verses in the Bible that could be used to support this thinking. I can pull verses out of the Bible to support killing but that doesn't make it right. When discerning the meaning of particular verses we must consider the whole Bible. God does promise blessings to those who are faithful but look at the Apostles, they were beaten, flogged, stoned and put to death, is that because they didn't have enough faith? or would you consider that blessings? Well God considered it blessings and the Apostles did too:

They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

So what is Jesus talking about? Let me start with another question. What is the Bible about? Is it about me and my prosperity, or is it about Jesus, what He did for me and my relationship with Him? Of course it is about Jesus, what He did for us and our relationship with Him.

Matthew 7:7 is still a part of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is teaching the people about faith in God. He is saying when you are in need ask for help and your Father in Heaven will give it to you. He is also saying part of that includes seeking. We need to pray, read and study the Bible, also included with this is attending a church and fellowship with other Christians. Through these actions God will bless us with a stronger faith and the spiritual gifts needed to do His will in your life. He is also saying knock at those doors in which God leads us to and He will open them. God's will includes opportunities. We need to ask for those opportunities in prayer and ask for the wisdom and knowledge to succeed in those opportunities. God will then use us to be a witness and to change people's lives. He further directs us on how we should act as we live out these opportunities by saying "Do to others what you would have them do to you." Live the Gospel don't just speak it.

Let's Pray: Heavenly Father, Forgive me for the times that I seek only my prosperity. Help me to see the need in others and reveal your will for me. Show me the doors you will open and help me to serve you by serving others. Help me to recognize your blessings in my life and help me to trust that you will provide all that I need. In Christ's Name I pray, Amen.

¹The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Mt 7:7-12). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
²The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Ac 5:40-42). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.