Matthew 7:7-8 – Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (NIV)

Our black Labrador retriever, Cherry, had one goal in mind: grabbing the roast from the oven! As I opened the stove door and began pulling out the rack in order to baste the sizzling meat, she made her move! Her front feet hit the open door as her jaws snatched for the beef. Fortunately for us, she missed. Unfortunately for her, she got her feet burned!

How often I too have been burned by implementing a rash decision! — by not taking time to check whether the goal I had in mind measured up against God's word; by not taking time to assess the reality of the goal; and by not taking time to gather pertinent information and to view all options in relation to my goal.

Fortunately for Cherry, she learned her lesson concerning a hot oven. Fortunately for me, over the years I also have learned to be more careful concerning what I set my sights upon; more careful in checking out what I am asking for against God's will according to Scripture; more careful in seeking out competent advisors, information and options; more careful in knocking on God's door, through constant prayer as I await His decision on whether this goal is a door to be opened or closed!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we have so many decisions to make daily. Remind us to ask for your will to be revealed to us. Remind us to seek wise counsel and options and to knock upon your "door" often through prayer, so that the decisions we make might not be too "hot" to handle, but rather ones which bless us and everyone else around us. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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