Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
We are in Matthew Chapter 7 and we have been dealing with this difficult topic of judgment, and we took time to read what Luke said on the matter in chapter 6 of his Gospel, but is it not interesting that this whole section of teaching the of Jesus is set in the context of Prayer.
Jesus says - Ask - Keep on asking - and it will be given you.
Seek - keep on seeking - shamelessly - with determination - and you will find.
Knock - keep on knocking - boldly and courageously - and the door will be opened.
Persistence and Perseverance are so important when it comes to prayer.
It is not just a one off act but continuous activity.
God is not like some electric kettle we can just switch on. We have to learn God’s ways and God’s timing. Do not let go – keep on.
There is the sense of prevailing prayer. God is not deaf to our asking.0
It is not that God does not want to give to us. Our Heavenly Father is not reluctant to give to us. God is not deaf to our asking – or has slammed the door to you – or that there is some fault in God’s ability to listen – or in His understanding of our needs – or in His willingness to help you.
And, Jesus is not giving His disciples a technique or formula – not a secret recipe for an answer. We can think that our technique is important. We at times think we can manipulate God by using the right formula – no!
Jesus is simply giving us a way of opening a door – a door of grace – a door of access – to receive the goodness of God.
How can we be so confident when we come in prayer – because God is our father in heaven – He is the Creator God who is also our Father and He cares for us and He is concerned about us.
We are taught to use the word Father in prayer – and to use the word Abba – that everyday familiar family word for Father – Daddy – and it is not a soft word – some people use it all their days for their earthly father.
There is no record anywhere in all the Jewish literature of any Jews addressing God in such familiar terms. In Christ new ground is breaking through.
People say – “O, I must have done something wrong – or this is judgment on me – or He doesn’t like me!”
Some have a very negative attitude to God, and it can show. Do we believe that He is better than anyone else we know? God is better and bigger than all the versions of fatherhood we have known.
Think of Him on the hillside in Galilee, and then think of Him on that other hill in Jerusalem. That is how much God loved and loves disciples.
What Jesus is teaching us here - and this is for disciples - this is not for the world - when we pray, we are to be serious, determined, persistent, courageous and bold.
One of the greatest things we can do in these present times - in The Church - in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit - is PRAY - for the work - for the ministry - for each other - for our town - for our area - for those in leadership in this crumbling nation.
Pray for the task we are earnestly seeking to do in the Name of Jesus.
God will hear and answer, and give us, and what He gives us will not be something useless or irrelevant.
Bread and fish – these were common food around the Sea of Galilee – the round limestone could look like a loaf of bread – and the eel like catfish of the Lake could look like a snake – and Jesus is saying that no earthly father would be so cruel as to treat his children in this way.
It is more absurd to think that Father God would treat His children in this manner.
God has good gifts for His children.
Jesus goes on to explain that He will give us something we need. He will reward and answer our praying, by giving us what is good for us. He is a God Who desires to provide for His People. He is a God Who loves to supply generously.
Peter speaks about God giving us everything we need – II Peter Chapter 1 verse 3 – His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Peter had experienced over some 30 years, the practical outworking of what Jesus was teaching by the lakeside. Peter knew what he was speaking about. Peter was a man of experience and a man with evidence.
Luke 11 verse 13. If you then - being evil - Jesus never once indicated that people were basically good.
Our conception of Fatherhood is sometimes coloured by our sinnerhood!
The Father desires to give - longs to give - because He knows, and we know that without that power the job cannot be done - that anointing - that blessing - that which we so need - and He gives to those who ask.
We have all this in Luke from Jesus, because one disciple had the courage to ask to be taught to pray.
It is wonderful how Matthew and Luke merge together on this crucial area of prayer and blessing and equipping for service.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.