More Bonhoeffer stuff….

Matthew 7:7-12

“7Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

 9“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Bonhoeffer has many great quotes in the book “Cost of Discipleship.”  This quote is from chapter 18.

“The disciples are taught to pray, and so they learn that the only way to reach others is by praying to God.  Judgement and forgiveness are always in the hands of God.  He closes and the opens.  But the disciples must ask, they must seek and knock, and then God will hear them.  They have to learn that their anxiety and concern for others must drive them to intercession.”

“The promise Christ gives to their prayer is the doughtiest (boldest) weapon in their armoury.”

Do you know someone that needs a touch from the Master?  Pray for him/her..ask, seek, knock…God will hear you!!!

God Bless!!

What are we asking?

In Mark Chapter 10, James and John ask Jesus a question.

 35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

Jesus listened to their request.

“Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in glory.”

What are we asking from Jesus?

 Are we asking for status, power, favoritism, special treatment, personal rewards?

Are we truly asking for God’s will in our lives or are we asking for selfish blessings?

The progression and events in the book of Mark are very interesting.

People ask Jesus to leave their town.  His own neighbors doubt his abilities.  The people doubted who he was claiming he was John the Baptist or Elijah.  Disciples wanted power and special treatment in heaven.   They rebuked children brought to Jesus.  Bartimaeus was rebuked for calling out to Jesus.

Thank goodness Jesus works despite of our doubts and personal feelings and wants.

Jesus tells us that our job is to “serve.”  

He does not tell us to get in the way or get out ahead of Him!!!

This is what he calls us to believe….

Mark 10:27  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

So, what are we asking?

This picture is titled “Please follow Jesus”

He calls us to follow Him….all things are possible if we follow.