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. 

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...

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