Ask. Seek. Knock.
Here’s your math/grammar lesson for today:
Ask + Seek + Knock = ASK
Yes, the teacher in me is always looking for a lesson.
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
In 1 Kings 3:10-13 we read, “The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies— I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in the entire world will be compared to you for the rest of your life!”
John 15:7 “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!”
When you ask God for something, Luke 11:10 tells us, “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need.” There is no need for flattery words or even vagueness. He knows what you want, be specific and ask.
When you ask God for something, be true, honest, sincere, and right with Him. Matthew 5:8, “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.”
When you ask God for something, remember that He will answer in His time. And in His time, it will be perfect. Ecclesiastes 3:11, “Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end”
My life is full of examples of asking God for something and He either gives me what I as for or He goes beyond and blesses me more than I can imagine. He even tells me “No” sometimes. I may not appreciate His response at first, but later I realize how great His “No” was for me.
A quick, recent, and simple example of asking God was….This winter course I was taking two online classes I needed for my teacher recertification. They were tedious at times and I felt like it was busy work, the material seemed outdated, and it was not making me a better teacher. I felt that I was just doing what had to be done. My attitude stunk and I just kept delaying the assignments. Well, time for ending the class was drawing nearer and stress was starting to show. I prayed and prayed for God to give me a new attitude and a willing and open heart and mind. I had procrastinated long enough where I only had eleven days to finish approximately 60 readings and responses and 60 activities for homework. God made me set a goal, He gave me a fabulous husband to make sure food was prepared each evening and independent kids to not bother “mom” all the time, and He changed my attitude. Even though the stress was showing with blemishes on the face, puff eyes from staying up late, and eating a bit too much chocolate, God granted me grace. Well, guess what? I did learn a few things that will help me become a better teacher in my classroom. I persevered through it all with God and He allowed me to finish two days short of the deadline. I even had a goal to be finished by 8:30 last night, and I finish at 8:37pm. He is so awesome!
Ask and yea shall receive.
Okay, here’s a corny joke to sum it all up: “Knock Knock! Who’s there? Zeke. Zeke who? Zeke and you shall find…” (I warned you. Haha)
Have a blessed day.
(Please pray for my friend, Tammy. She is having surgery tomorrow (Monday, April 16th). Let her breast cancer be gone and keep her cancer-free. Thank you.)
April 15