Scripture to Read: Matthew 7:9–10
When we consider all that our Lord has taught us on prayer, His illustration in Matthew 7:9–10 helps us better understand how incredibly giving our Heavenly Father is with all His children. God tells us in James 1:17–18, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.” Every good gift is from God our King. His greatest gift to us was Christ, His Son, who sacrificed everything for you and me. In the Amplified Version of the Bible, God’s Word reads in James 1:18, “It was of His own will that He gave us birth [as His children] by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits of His creatures [a prime example of what He created to be set apart to Himself—sanctified, made holy for His divine purposes].” As we asked, sought, and knocked on God's door, He gave us new birth through Christ and set us apart for His good purpose and pleasure. God gave us His perfect gift of salvation through Christ and set us free from the bondage of sin and death. Though our physical body may die, if our Lord does not return first, we will never experience death—we will just change our mode of transportation from our earthly body to our heavenly body.
Challenge & Application
· What can you be thankful for today, knowing what God has done for you through Christ?
· Besides salvation, what other good gifts has your Heavenly Father given you that you thank Him for each day?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!