Luke 6:38 (NIV) Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Jesus, a powerful, intimate relationship with God is awesome! As I grow in my relationship with Him, my choices and decisions are blessed with all kinds of Jesus-information, Jesus-understanding, Jesus-wisdom, and Jesus-emotions. But, make it clear to me that the greatest blessing comes my way when I CHOOSE to share all this with others. I get blessed when You meet my needs; and, I get blessed when I decide to allow You to use me to bless others. Teach me that this flow of the wonderful things of God makes the Christian life the most exciting way to live. But, help me understand that as I go around sharing, not everyone will want what I have to share.

Jesus, teach me that KNOCKING is an important part of ASKING and SEEKING. The more You bless me, the more I will want to tell someone about it. So, before I learn the principle of KNOCKING, I may run out into the world and start sharing it with anyone and everyone. Acts 9:22-23 (NIV) Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him. Help me see that Paul, who was at that time being called Saul, was sharing with anyone and everyone. Show me that he later learned to KNOCK on the doors of opportunity so he would be at the right place, at the right time, doing and saying the right things, to the right people.

Jesus, teach me that if I KNOCK, I will be at the right place, at the right time, doing and saying the right things, to the right people. Teach me that KNOCKING opens doors of opportunity for me to FIND those people who WANT what I am offering. I don’t want to go around sharing and never get any results. Teach me that without KNOCKING, I will be using the trial-and-error process. I will be the one deciding who to share my breakthroughs with.

Mat 5:11-12 (NIV) Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Make it clear to me that being at the right place, at the right time, doing and saying the right things, to the right people doesn’t mean I won’t get persecuted. Teach me that KNOCKING won’t keep me from running into resistance. Acts 5:17-18 (NIV) Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. Help me see that persecution is a normal part of me KNOCKING and getting great opportunities to share; but, I must be willing to CHOOSE to do it anyway.

Jesus, help me understand that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens; it was illegal to put Roman citizens in chains or beat them. But, You had them DECIDE to allow themselves to be bound with chains, flogged, and imprisoned without letting the authorities know they were Roman citizens. Acts 16:23 (NIV) After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Show me why You encouraged them to DECIDE not to tell the authorities they were Roman citizens. Acts 16:26-28 (NIV) Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

Jesus, teach me that KNOCKING can put me in places that are difficult and painful; help me be willing to go ahead and decide to go there anyway. Even though it may seem to me that I am NOT at the right place, at the right time, doing and saying the right things, to the right people; help me see that I am. Acts 16:29-32 (NIV) The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.

Jesus, show me that when I submit my choices and decisions to You, I get very special results. Acts 16:33 (NIV) At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God--he and his whole family. Help me understand that without me KNOCKING, I may find myself making sure I am always protected from inconvience, trouble, pain, or persecution. But, make it clear to me that the jailer and his family’s eternal destinies were at stake. Let my KNOCKING make sure I am ABLE to decide to be where I need to be; and, let it make sure certain people are prepared in advance so they can decide to accept my message and influence.

Gal 6:9 (NIV) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Jesus, help me understand that KNOCKING may bring such challenges to me that I may choose to stop KNOCKING. But, help me keep in mind that KNOCKING empowers me to choose in everything, do to others what I would have them do to me, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Mat 7:12). It keeps my eyes on the fact that there are very few people who will tell these desperate, hurting, and needy people the truth. Show me that KNOCKING does as much to me as it does to those who are waiting for me. Use it to prepare me to start making the right decisions as must as You use it to prepare them to start making the right decisions.