Condensed

Good Morning! 

When I was growing up at Grandma Ward’s, when I was bored, like on a rainy day when I couldn’t go outside, I would read some of the books from her library.  She had a number of sets of books by noted authors … like Mark Twain, James Whitcomb Riley, and the like.  She also invested in the Reader’s Digest Condensed books which were published quarterly(?).  One that I remember well was entitled The Day Lincoln Was Shot by Jim Bishop (1907-1987).  Of course, what I was reading was only a condensed version of the entire book.  I think reading this particular book is the one that got me interested in history … an interest that continues to this day.

If you are joining me in studying the four gospels, yesterday’s study of the first part of Luke 11 was a condensed version similar to the Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew 5-7.  Keep in mind that Matthew’s gospel is directed more to the people of Israel and Luke takes in a broader spectrum of peoples.  Let’s take a look at Luke 11:

11 Now Jesus[a] was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread,[b]
4 and forgive us our sins,
    for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”

5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence[c] he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for[d] a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Footnotes:

a.     Luke 11:1 Greek he

b.     Luke 11:3 Or our bread for tomorrow

c.     Luke 11:8 Or persistence

d.     Luke 11:11 Some manuscripts insert bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for

While I like the whole sermon found in Matthew, I do like Luke’s version as well as Jesus points out the relationship of God with each of us. When we seek God, we will find God.  When we ask of God, He will provide according to our true need. 

So, the question I must ask of myself is my desire to seek and to ask. Am I just rocking along in life … not seeking after the will of God – just letting life happen?  Or, am I seeking the will of God for my life and asking Him to enthuse me to do that will?  Good questions for all of us to ask of ourselves.

Well, I hope your Monday was a good day for you.  I was truly blessed by the residents at Friendship Rehabilitation who attended our worship service.  God is good.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer:  Father, teach me how to seek Your face and to ask for Your will to be done in me. In Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today:  Luke 11:1-13