Hello This is a Test

Friday Devo

Scripture Reading:

Luke 11:11-13
11 “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? 12 Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! 13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:

11:11–13 This concluding example in Jesus’ teaching on prayer (vv. 1–13) is a “lesser to greater” argument: granted the truth of vv. 11–12, the concluding statement (v. 13) must be even more true. If you then, who are evil. Human sinfulness would be readily acknowledged by Jesus’ audience (Genesis 3; Rom. 3:10–23; cf. note on Matt. 7:11). Fish and eggs were common foods in Palestine, while serpents and scorpions were regular hazards. A far more important gift than material blessings is the powerful anointing and guidance of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life (see Matt. 12:28; Luke 4:1, 14; Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:13–14, 26; 1 Cor. 12:11; Gal. 5:18).

Study Questions:

  • Verses 11-13 teach us that God is a good Father that wants the absolute best for His kids. He ALWAYS wants what is best. His plan for us is ALWAYS for our good. He is incapable of anything less. However, we can tend to let our confidence in this truth be shaken when we go through trials or when we don't immediately get what we think we need. Just like spoiled toddlers, we think we know better than He does when, in actuality, we have no clue. Have you ever been in a season where you doubted God's goodness? Is there an area of you life right now where you need to put your emotions aside and simply trust your good Father? 

  • We have 24/7, uninhibited access to the throne of the God, creator of the universe and everything in it, who has promised to listen and answer. He is the only one who is actually in control and who can affect outcomes, even when they seem impossible. Beyond all that, He WANTS to spend time with us. He longs for us to come to Him and just be. To talk. To love on us. What can you do this week to bolster your prayer life? How can you make it more of a priority?


***Guided Prayer Time***

Pray:

  • Father, I pray you would teach me to trust your goodness. Remind me that you have a plan that far exceeds anything I could ask or imagine. Your way is best... always. I trust that you are good even when I'm hurting, angry or afraid. You know what is best, so all I want is you.

  • I pray you would help me remember how accessible you are. Thank you that you hear me and see me, that you are just a whisper away. Help me to feel your nearness today. I'm blown away that you would want to spend time with me. Give me a passion for your presence and help me realize my need for you in my every moment. 

This Week's City 7:

Try to commit to memory!

2. Are there sources outside the Bible that confirm the Biblical account of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead? Many Roman and Jewish historians have confirmed that the apostles died as martyrs for preaching that they saw Jesus risen from the grave. No one dies for something they know to be a lie.
(Luke 1:1-4; Acts 26:26; 1 John 1:1-4, Josephus, Clement, Hegesippus, Tertullian, Origen, Polycarp)

No Comments