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Daddy, dance with me.
There is no greater feeling for me on this planet than to have my two beautiful daughters boldly flop onto my lap and insist on my undivided attention. So when I read these words in Luke I hear the voice of the Son teaching me about his Father. He illustrates his point by telling of one friend going to another friend’s house long after he’s gone to bed and asking to borrow bread for his unexpected visitor. Then Jesus makes an observation, that until today, I hadn’t associated with my role as a father. He tells us that the man in bed didn’t give him bread because he was his friend. You see, on this particular night this particular friend was a particular pain in the rear end. Yet he gave him what he was asking for because of his sheer audacity – his boldness.
Here is why this resonates with me as a father of two girls. It might surprise you to learn that Cora Jeanne and Alia are not always the sweet angels you observe in church. Sometimes they are downright irritating. But no matter how irritating they might be, or how irritable I am, they can always melt the ice away by getting up close to my face, nose to nose, and insisting on my attention. Their unhesitating audacity wins me over every time.
“…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Hey! I was asking for a new car and a raise in pay. What’s up with this Holy Spirit thing? Mick Jagger said it well, “You can’t always get what you want. But you can get what you need.”
Thank you Jon for reiterating what God has been putting in my heart these last few days. That I am to be asking for more of the Holy Spirit in my life each day and less of my old sin nature. Going along with that I have been asking for more Godly wisdom and less worldly knowledge. “Ask and it will be given to you.”
Jon I can’t relate to the Father of girls picture but I vividly remember being that little girl and curling up in my dad’s lap. Even though my father has passed away I love that he is with my heavenly Father. I can curl up with my heavenly Father anytime I want and pray and talk to Him.
Ellen how cool is it that we are haveing a quiet time together in our own homes. Also I have a urgent prayer request. Stephen Calhoun had a motercycle accident 2 days ago please pray for his healing. He is alright but banged up badly. In case you don’t know the Calhouns they are our missionaries in Greece.
I will be praying for Stephen.
Jon, this is a powerful message. To me it just emphasizes on something that I find amazing. That the creator of the universe, mighty and holy cares about me, listens to me and has good intentions over my life. HOPE galore.
so truth CAN be found just about anywhere… even in a Rolling Stones song. Thanks Jon!
Peter… praying for you as you deal with your friend who has lost hope. Glad your cup is brimming over and can hopefully help fill hers.
looking forward to the weekend at CCC as we unfold a critical message about prayer…
Jon – Great message this morning, thanks for your contribution.
Thanks Alan.
God shows us the way where there seems to be none.
God, thank you for your patience when we are restless….thank you for the good gifts you give to your children….thank you for supplying my NEEDS and not my WANTS…thank you Lord, for your enduring love!
It seems there are two messages here. One, asking with boldness can produce some desireable answers. Two, a father will make the personal sacrifice, inconveniencing his family momentarily, for the long term benefit. If the man persists in such a bold fashion he will wake the entire family. It isn’t easy to get children back to sleep.
Ask God with boldness and get what we need.
Rest in God’s presence, and there may be some momentary inconveniences, but nothing that can damage our long term benefit.
Needs – Wants – Needs – Wants
Sometimes, what we need is what we want but not always the other way around. I know that I have God’s attention. I know that whatever it is that I NEED, I will have. Thank you God for knowing what we NEED and what we WISH. May I always pray beginning with “what is in your will”. Above all, I want to be in his will and not my own.