"A Fresh Look At 7-11"

             When I was a kid, 7 eleven was the convenient store closest to our house. I used to save my money so that I could go to the 7 eleven and buy some candy. So, when I think of the number 7 11, I have some fond memories. 
            But recently, I found another reason for liking 7 11, as I have been seeking the Lord’s direction and guidance in my life, 7 11 has stood out to me. In fact, I kept seeing that number stand out to me when I looked at my clock on multiple days. Finally, I began asking the Lord, and “Matthew 7:11” came to mind. And, I believe that this was the Holy Spirit guiding me to this passage as I have been seeking God’s guidance in my life. So, consider:
            Matthew 7:11: 11 "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!
            Or, we can break it down this way: Matthew 7:7-11: 7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 "Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10 "Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 "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!
            7 11 takes on a whole new significance when looked at in this way.  7 11 is so much more about seeking direction from and a deeper walk with the Lord than it is about buying gas or candy. It is a passage of great promise and hope! It is a wonderful Word in which to anchor our hope. 
            Two other passages I would bring in to build faith and strengthen the hold of our anchor would be Luke 11:13 and Mark 11:24: 
            Luke 11:13: 13 "If you then, being evil, 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?"
            This makes it clear that the key need of the moment for all of us is a greater fullness of the Holy Spirit. What Matthew records as “give what is good”, Luke records as “give the Holy Spirit.”
            Jesus walked in the fullness of the Holy Spirit like no one else. When we ask, seek, and knock, there may be many things on our hearts—a new or better job, finances to pay our bills, healing and comfort…. The list is huge. However, at its heart, there is actually ONE core need that will cover all of these requests—and that is for more of His Presence—more of the Holy Spirit. For, in the intimacy of our fellowship with His Presence, we will find all that we need. And it is out of this intimacy, out of our times in His Presence, we can then more easily apply the words of:
            Mark 11:24: 24 "Therefore * I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.
            The way to come to a place of being able to “believe that you have received them” is to listen to the voice of the Lord to begin with, to know His heart and desire for the moment. When we have so connected with Jesus that His heart has become ours, we will pray and speak and do His will—mountains will be moved, and answers to prayer will be realized in marvelous ways. 
            So, ask, seek, knock—lay your heart out, and draw into His Presence in worship, prayer, and listening to His voice in His Word, and in your hearts and minds. Delight in His Presence, and ask for more—more of His beautiful manifest Presence.  Out of His Presence within us, all of our needs and deepest desires will be met. 
            The next time you see a 7-Eleven store, or you look at your clock and see 7:11, I hope you will remember Matthew 7:7-11. 
            May the Presence and blessings of Christ overwhelm and overflow you and me—to the praise and glory and honor of Jesus Christ! Amen.
            In Christ’s service,
              Jeff