SEARCHING FOR GOD
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Matthew 7:7-12 (NRSV)
[Jesus said,] "Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets."
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Everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
- Matthew 7:8 (NRSV)
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WHILE in college, I realized that though I had been active in church all my life I had never really given the subject of God much thought. I asked a campus ministry representative, "How do you know any of this is real? How can I know?" She responded by quoting Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it will be given you."
I returned to my dorm room, got on my knees, and asked God to come into my life. There was no bolt of lightning, no different feeling, nothing. I didn't think this was going to work. I didn't know what to do. I saw my church bulletin from that morning. I knew it would have a Bible verse on the cover and thought maybe that would help. I unfolded it, and there on the front was quoted Matthew 7:7: "Ask, and it will be given you." I took the repetition of those words as God's answer to my question. Although it was many years before I developed a deep relationship with God, this was the beginning of my faith.
I believe that God will give us whatever we need in order to believe. God knew "doubting" Thomas had to see the wounds in Christ's body to believe. God knew I needed something. And God knows what you need too. Ask, and look around you to see how God will respond.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for giving us what we need in order to believe. Help us to ask. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God understands our doubts and responds to our searching.
-- Fredda T. Umphlett (North Carolina, U.S.A.)
PRAYER FOCUS: Those searching for truth