Gracious Jesus 5 – Kingdom Lifestyle Part 3Sample

Receiving God’s Bounty

God is sometimes projected as a “magic genie” granting all our wishes. Deeper understanding enables us to develop the right attitudes and spirit to receive God’s bounty.

Asking – typically refers to daily or immediate requirements

Seeking – refers to our long-term understanding of God’s kingdom and riches

Knocking – refers to the salvation available to all who knock at the door.

Ask

“Asking” covers a wide range of things.

Situations in the Bible when people approached God include:

· Distress – when childless, for relief, mercy and grace; when suffering and overwhelmed.

· Deliverance – from oppression, sickness and sin;

· Depression – when anxious, lonely and discouraged; that our “joy may be full” (John 16:24);

· Decision Making – on facing opposition, for choice of life partner and confirmation of direction;

· Daily Needs - food, fellowship, boldness in preaching and anointing for ministry;

In the Lord's prayer, Christ encourages us to focus primarily on daily needs and immediate requirements while asking. What if we don’t receive what we ask for?

If we are in connection with God, we believe that He will give us a better solution for the problem.

Seek

Seeking requires prioritization of God and orientation His Kingdom goals. In our daily actions and tasks, we seek to honor God and attain and reflect His likeness in all we do. From biblical examples, it covers:

· Repentance – acknowledge our guilt and repent (change our ways);

· Return – turn back to God, trust, obey and follow Him;

• Restoration – of God’s favor and protection to build His church and extend His Kingdom;
• Righteousness – understand God, experience His presence, obey Him, obtain strength, serve Him, deeply connect with His Word and sow seeds of righteousness;

Knock

Knocking is not a one-time act. It involves:

· Perseverance – we strive to enter the Kingdom of heaven (Luke 13:25). We then strive to help others enter and persevere in prayer for them.

· Preparedness – we are always alert and prepared to serve and receive Him. An example is where the wise virgins maintain oil in their lamps while waiting for the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-11);

· Penitence – God looks for hearts of penitence. Even while dying, the thief at the cross was not turned down by Jesus. (Luke 23:42)

· Purification – While we participate in the daily activities of life, we need to maintain Christ’s standards and a pure heart. (2 Corinthians 6:17).

A key differentiator is “love” — we demonstrate even to those who oppose us.

Are we truly “asking”, “seeking” and “knocking” for the right things in order for us and those we are associated with to receive God’s bounty?