Ask, seek and knock

“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."

 Matt. 7: 7-8 

Ask, seek & knock - These are the words of Jesus. I believe that he is revealing a deeper and higher level of prayer. There is within this verse a suggested progression in prayer. As believers, we are to grow with God. 

The Amplified Version translate these verses as:

^"Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened."

This is in the present imperative which is a command not only to do something but to keep on doing it indefinitely. All three verbs in verse seven, Ask, Seek, Knock are not only imperatives (commands) but they are present tense imperatives. We are told to ask and keep on asking, we are to seek and keep on seeking and we are to knock and keep on knocking.

These very words; Ask, Seek and Knock seems to suggest an ever increasing intensity in prayer. 

1.Asking: There are some things that the need is so clear that we merely ask for them. We are told to ask in faith. Believe by faith that you shall receive your request.

But then we move to another level in relationship and prayer when we seek:

My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.

Ps. 27:8

2. Seeking is a deeper level of prayer than just asking. Seeking His presence, His will and the principle of the Kingdom (Matt. 6:33). Intimacy with God begins when we radically pursue Him with our whole heart. 

God invites us in James 4:8 to "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

This is where your prayer turns to: "God, I want more of You. Lord I want more of Your Presence. I desire more of your fullness in my life. Fill me with more of You."

Salvation through Jesus Christ gives us the right to enter into God's presence. Worshiping God is a key to intimacy with God. Congregational and personal worship are both important. Intimacy with God will bring radical changes in you!

3.Knocking. The knocking here denotes seeking entrance. Entering another arena and dimension. It opens  the gateway to the supernatural realm - The access to living in the miraculous.This level is where we overcome limitations and walk in our God-given destiny and purpose in life. This level produce revelations, visions and impartations from God. The Holy Spirit becomes the leader of your life. 

It's time for you to experience the supernatural...living with joy and saying:  “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” [Luke 10:17-20]

I encourage you to grow in prayer. 

Dealing with temptation...

Many times our reasoning have been:

"No one will ever know."
"One time won't hurt."
"Everyone else does it."

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." Prov. 28:13 

I want to encourage you with the points below and assist you with scriptures to believe, meditate and apply in our lives.

Who or what is the source of temptation?

A God does not tempt man. - James 1:13
B. Satan is called "the tempter." - Mat 4:1, 3; Mk 1:13; 1 Corin 7:5; 1 Chron 21:1; 1 Thes 3:5
C. Temptation comes from our own lusts. - James 2:14, 15; 1 John 2:16

How can temptation be overcome?

A. By faith. - 1 Pet 5:9; 1 Jn 5:4
B. By the Word of God. - Mat 4; Luke 4 ("...it is written...")
C. By prayer. - Mat 6:13; Lu 22:40, 46

Scriptures for you.

"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." - 1 Corinthians 10:12; 13

"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4:14-16

"For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." - Hebrews 2:18

"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations..." - 2 Peter 2:9

"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." - Romans 6:14

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." - Psalms 119:11

"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." - James 1:13; 14

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." - Proverbs 28:13

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - I John 1:9

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." - 1 Peter 5:8; 9

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." - Ephesians 6:10; 11; 16

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." - James 4:7

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." - 1 John 4:4

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." - James 1:2; 3; 12

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty..." - Jude 1:24; 25

"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 1:6; 7

Overcoming bad habits & addictions

In order to overcome the devil, Jesus said "it is written." "It is written!"
"It is written" and the devil left Him. He defeated the devil by speaking the written word. Then angels came and ministered to him. When Satan or evil spirits leave, you will need to be ministered to. It takes energy, persistence and consistency to resist the devil. For every spiritual resistance, there must be spiritual assistance.
I John 2:14 says, "I have written unto you young men, because you are strong, and the Word of God abides in you, and you are victorious over the evil one."
You're strong when the Word of God abides in you. The Word of God is your spiritual assistance and it produces power and energy call spiritual resistance.
John 6:63 says, "It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life."
The spoken words produce spiritual strength and life. 

Build up a habit of speaking the Word of God over your life, family and circumstances.

John 15:7 says, "If you abide in Me, My words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you."
God takes that Word that you have abiding in you and then with your faith works with the Word to produce the promise.
Scriptures describe the achievement of CHRIST for us which MUST BE RECEIVED AND APPLIED through faith in the Word of God, through repentance, through obedience to the Holy Spirit.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9
"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7
"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." John 8:36
"…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." I John 3:8
"…For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." Jeremiah 31:34

Getting delivered from ADDICTIONS

Addictions are sometimes passed down from generation to generation. The Bible says that God will visit the iniquity of the fathers up into the third and fourth generations.
So, make a decision today to either be one of the four generations of curses, or you can be the first generation of blessings.
Perry Stone said: "Deliverance takes it out but discipline keeps it out!"
Discipline yourself by the Word of God. Read, meditate and apply.
Jesus said: "As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews (or the British, American, Mauritian...) which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8: 30-32). And then Jesus added: "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (36).

It is the will of God that we are delivered and then disciplined (by the Word) in order to maintain our freedom.We are called disciples of Jesus.

Is a curse affecting your life?

"Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from ALL INIQUITY, and PURIFY unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Titus 2:14
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree : that the blessing of Abraham might come on the gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the spirit through faith." Galatians 3:13-14
Curses can be broken by the power of the blood of Jesus. You are a new creation. Begin to think in line with the Word.

You have to want to quit the habit more than you want to keep doing it! 

 
If you're battling any addictions and want to be free, then read and study the following scriptures then apply your faith and boldly confess and act upon the Word.
Let's defeat the enemy with the Word. Let's be strong and overcome.

Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.

Read and study: Ephe. 5:18 - Gal. 5:19-21 - Prov. 20:1

Nothing good comes out of bad habits; A lack of self control, careers are destroyed, marriages are torn apart, families are wreaked and lives are thrown away. 
Repent, ask God to forgive you of any sin and to deliver you from any addiction.

 

I recommend that you stay away from people and places that you use to go that has bad and wrong influenced you.

Pornography - porn addiction is usually a secret addiction

Matthew 5:27-30  

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."

Pluck it out, cut it off: get rid of things that may cause you to sin! Don't go to porn sites, watch porn movies or look for porn magazines.
The root is lust.
Read James 1: 21 - 26

Psalm 55:18
He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me, for they are many who strive with me.
 

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." 

Gal. 5:1

This weekend 23rd and 24th March on www.7oceansmedia.com , we will broadcast teachings and testimonies of those who have been delivered from pornography and other addictions. Listen to internationally renown best selling author and teacher John Bevere and Christian Gospel Artist & Musician Kirk Franklin. 

Ruth - faithfulness and loyalty

The book of Ruth has suddenly become one of my favorite books of the Old Testament. As I read and study this marvelous book, I received many revelations that I believe can help us build Godly character and progress in life. One of the vital characteristics that I personally learned is loyalty or faithfulness. God rewards loyalty. Jesus is coming back for those who are faithful . Faithfulness is part of the fruit of the Spirit. We should all want to hear Jesus say: "Well done my good and faithful servant..."

So, let's study this book of Ruth.
It begins with a depressing opening informing us of a famine in the land. Famine was a type of judgment of God in the Old Testament. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all had to deal with famines in their life. All three had to also break another curse as their wives - Sarah, Rebekah and Rachel were all barren!
Elimelech and his wife Naomi of Bethlehem-Judah decides to leave for the country of Moab due to the famine.
Elimelech's name means God is king, Naomi's means pleasant and Bethlehem-Judah means the house of bread. Ironic that there was no bread in the house of bread! Because of this, Elimelech decides to take his family to a land full of idolatry.
It is worth to note that the book prior to Ruth is Judges and the last verse states that: "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." In fact four times in the Book of Judges we are told that "there was no king in Israel in those days". Because of no leadership, there was no direction. No leadership means no security.
Elimelech makes a decision to take his family out of Bethlehem-Judah. This is not inspired by God. They did what they thought was right without consulting God. Although his name means God is king, he doesn't respond and act as though God is his king. He is not ruled by God. As Christians, we declare Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, however many times we take our own decisions and do things that are contrary to His will and leadership.
Elimelech and Naomi had two sons, named Mahlon and Chilion. The funny thing is Mahlon means sickness and Chilion means devastation and destruction. Not a very nice name for God is king and pleasant. Something must be happening in their life. At times the challenges of life makes us take bad decisions that will lead to sickness and destruction. Decisions come with a price. Decisions determine direction. Bad decisions leads to bad directions and Godly decisions (based upon the Word of God) leads to fulfillment of the promises of God in your life. Every choice you make has a consequence. God advises and recommends us to choose life (Deut. 30:19).
Elimelech died! Naomi was left with the challenge to raise the two boys by herself - not an easy task and they are still in a foreign country. In this stage of life for a single mother, negative emotions such as hurt, loneliness, depression, insecurity and can make one go in circles. I read a survey report about single-mothers that states two-thirds of mothers said their children wreaked havoc on their personal and social lives, while more than half said they were left feeling "lonely and isolated."
Naomi had to deal with sickness and destruction and they were growing. You may ask why am I stressing this point - well she will eventually change her name to Mara. Mara means bitter. Obviously all these challenges, changes and crisis made her bitter in life. In my own survey, I see many believers bitter because of the cards life dealt us. It wasn't a pleasant hand. We've shuffled and re-shuffled but still we haven't found a winning way. We've taken some bad decisions, looked in the wrong direction and ended up disappointed and in despair.
Naomi's boys grew up to be men and got married. The names of their wives: Orpah meaning deer or back of the neck and Ruth meaning companion, friend and vision of beauty. Sadly, the boys also died prematurely.
She is now left with two Moabites widow. They are her daughter in laws. At times things don't go well between in-laws, although we are not told if that was the case in Naomi's life.
It came to a point where she wanted to go back to her homeland and she heard that the famine had ended. She decided to go alone and told her daughter in laws to leave her as she heads back home. You can imagine the amount of reproach and gossip that may be waiting for her as she enters town. She left with a husband looking for 'green grass' and comes back a widow accompanied with two daughter in laws but no sons!

Let's read what happened next: Ruth 1:11-18

But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? ¹² Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— ¹³ would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!”
¹⁴ At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.
¹⁵ “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”
¹⁶ But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. ¹⁷ Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” ¹⁸ When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.
 
Verse 16-17 is the key verse. In saying what she said, Ruth made a quality decision to follow the God of Israel and leave idolatry. She demonstrated faith in God when she said: "Your god will be my God."
 
She will be rewarded for her faithfulness and loyalty. Many times we say things but there are no corresponding actions. Ruth meant what she said. She was rewarded as she met a generous, kindhearted man by the name of Boaz who redeemed her, married her and she became the great-grandmother of David the king and she is in the lineage of Jesus the King of kings.
 
God is looking for loyal and faithful people today. Will you be one of them.

Increase our faith! Lesson 3

In our 3rd lesson on this subject "Increase our faith", we will discover why Jesus likens offense and unforgiveness to the Sycamine tree. Remember that offense is a trap to make you trip and to cause wounds!
Offense comes because of what people do or do not do!

³ Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

⁴ And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

⁵ And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

⁶ And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Luke 17:3-6

Jesus said: "Take heed to yourselves."
You can't always change the other person but you can change yourself. Watch over yourself! Get your eyes off your offender and get your eyes on yourself.

Why the Sycamine tree and not other trees:

There is a reason why Jesus compared offense and unforgiveness to the Sycamine tree. 
The Sycamine tree grew in the Middle East and had the deepest root structure. It was known as the tree of poor people. It looked like a fig tree and the fruit looked like figs. The poor people couldn't afford figs so they ate the fruit of the Sycamine but it had a very bitter taste. Sycamine was so durable that it was the preferred wood for building casket.

Unforgiveness and offense have deep roots. Offense can also have deep roots and become generational. For example, your father is offended with his brother - your uncle. They don't speak anymore and because of his offense, YOU also don't talk to him and even to your cousins! Nothing happened between the cousins, yet there is no relationship because of an old offense that has kept families apart!

Offense and unforgiveness will make you spiritually poor. It will hinder your spiritual growth. It will stop you from walking in love. Love never fails (1 Cor. 13:8). The Holy Spirit who is our teacher and comforter (Jn. 14:26) pours the love of God in our hearts (Rom. 5:5)

Offense and unforgiveness will take away your joy and slowly kill you spiritually.
It will make you bitter. 

Anybody can forgive! All you need is a small amount of faith - the mustard seed size!

Characteristics of sons and daughters of God:

1. They are led by the Spirit of God.
2. They have manifestations of the Word in their lives.
3. They operate like Jesus.
4. They overcome temptation.
5. They are God-conscious not self-conscious.
6. They seek revelation and understanding.
7. They do not get offended.
8. They are not envious, jealous, unforgiving, or in strife.
9. They walk in the God-kind of love, especially toward those who have wronged them.
10. They have signs and wonders to follow them (Ex: answered prayers and results)
11. They have put away childish things.
12. They cultivate understanding.
13. They love change, and are always progressing to a higher level.

Take a heart decision to forgive those that have offended and hurt you today...

Visit: www.jamesarekion.org