Matthew 7:11 - If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children...

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

Matthew 7:11

Commentary

In this passage Jesus is teaching his disciples to ask. Their concept of God may have been a Creator who is so grand that He is unapproachable. If this was the case, Jesus was turning that image upside down. Jesus was teaching that God the Father is not only good, but also desirous to give good gifts to his children. Not his slaves - His kids! This can be a major shift of thinking for people. To see God as distant and deaf gives us greater autonomy; but to see God as a Father wanting to bless his children challenges that autonomy. We now are responsible for asking, seeking and knocking. God wants us to come to Him.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Psalm 119:37 - Turn my eyes away from worthless things

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, And revive me in Your ways.

Psalm 119:37

Commentary

This Scripture has more importance in our day than ever. How we guide our eyes in a visual age makes all the difference to the wellbeing of our souls. Worthless things surround us. The sensuality of this culture is so obvious that it doesn't need much explanation. But there are many worthless things that are not so obvious. How many hours have we wasted on the internet? Look at our habits when we have a television remote in our hand. What did it take to get to the 42nd level in that video game? Many times the key to cultivating the best in us does not occur during the work week, but how we handle our leisure time. To make God's words a priority during our down time will preserve our lives from worthless distractions.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC