These are the words and phrases that shout out from this morning's NIV meditation:
#1: "yet because of your shameless audacity he will"
What we wouldn't even expect to be given in a (or due to a) close relationship or friendship will be given when we ask with such a boldness "SHAMELESS AUDACITY" yes we will be given all that we need.
#2: So then ask... seek... knock... (Will be given... Will be found... Will be opened)
In context here there is a boldness and persistence (maybe even a persistence in waiting (verse 13)) we must ask, seek, and knock...
I saw in my minds eye two different neighborhood children (girl scouts?) with their adult family member telling them to knock on doors and ask but waiting in the car as they girls made their way around the neighborhood.
The first was bold and knocked loud enough to be heard, and stood boldly at the door expecting an answer, knocking again when there was no immediate response, then when the door was opened boldly asked. She did this over and over and returned with many responses.
The other was timid. She would go to the door, but fear and her insecurities made her keep looking back at the car wishing the family member would to the work of seeking, knocking and asking. When she knocked on the door her knock was soft and sometimes not heard from within, and she would give up and move on. She was going through the motions of seeking, knocking, and asking but with little to no belief that she would be heard, nor would receive. In a sense, she wasn't really or fully seeking. She returned with few responses, while the other child in the same "neighborhood" (circumstance) returned with many.
ask seek knock
The amplified says ask and keep on asking, seek and keep seeking, knock and keep knocking.
May we have shameless audacity to ask believing that our needs will be met and that our Good Father gives good gifts, yes even the fullness of Himself through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Which brings me to my favorite faith building phrase regarding prayer:
"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 "
We just have to ASK! Our receiving isn't because we earn it, it is because we ask, seek, and knock.
What do you need of? What desire is burning in your heart?
Take these to our good Father and with shameless audacity ask Him.
"yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: " 'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ' " Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.' And suppose the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. "So I say to you: 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 fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? (Luke 11:1-12 NIV)
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 the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13 NIV)
#1: "yet because of your shameless audacity he will"
What we wouldn't even expect to be given in a (or due to a) close relationship or friendship will be given when we ask with such a boldness "SHAMELESS AUDACITY" yes we will be given all that we need.
#2: So then ask... seek... knock... (Will be given... Will be found... Will be opened)
In context here there is a boldness and persistence (maybe even a persistence in waiting (verse 13)) we must ask, seek, and knock...
I saw in my minds eye two different neighborhood children (girl scouts?) with their adult family member telling them to knock on doors and ask but waiting in the car as they girls made their way around the neighborhood.
The first was bold and knocked loud enough to be heard, and stood boldly at the door expecting an answer, knocking again when there was no immediate response, then when the door was opened boldly asked. She did this over and over and returned with many responses.
The other was timid. She would go to the door, but fear and her insecurities made her keep looking back at the car wishing the family member would to the work of seeking, knocking and asking. When she knocked on the door her knock was soft and sometimes not heard from within, and she would give up and move on. She was going through the motions of seeking, knocking, and asking but with little to no belief that she would be heard, nor would receive. In a sense, she wasn't really or fully seeking. She returned with few responses, while the other child in the same "neighborhood" (circumstance) returned with many.
ask seek knock
The amplified says ask and keep on asking, seek and keep seeking, knock and keep knocking.
May we have shameless audacity to ask believing that our needs will be met and that our Good Father gives good gifts, yes even the fullness of Himself through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Which brings me to my favorite faith building phrase regarding prayer:
"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 "
We just have to ASK! Our receiving isn't because we earn it, it is because we ask, seek, and knock.
What do you need of? What desire is burning in your heart?
Take these to our good Father and with shameless audacity ask Him.
"yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: " 'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ' " Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.' And suppose the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. "So I say to you: 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 fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? (Luke 11:1-12 NIV)
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 the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13 NIV)
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