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MATTHEW 7 (ESV)

 

1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

 

REFLECTION

  • Kingdom citizens have an “in-secret” relationship with God (6:1-4). Therefore, we do not judge others, and we consciously depend on our Father, and choose His “narrow gate”. As we do, God’s power is exhibited in our good lives and in our obedience.
  • Each of the images of prayer – ask, seek, knock- suggests persistence. Each also conveys a promise.  Ask, it will be given; seek, you will find; knock, the door will be opened.  What encourages us to be actively involved in prayer, and to claim these promises, is the certainty that God is our Father.  Our Father loves us.  He provides what we need, not because we bother Him, but because He cares.  And He is eager to give us good gifts.
  • When you pray to make a request to God, do you rely on your persistence to “persuade” God? Or do you rely on God’s pervasive love and rest assured of the good gifts He’s going to give you?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.