Morning Devotional

October  28, 2005
"Halloween" (Part 2)     
    by Don Emmitte

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"Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks. You parents--if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. (Matthew 7:7-11 NLT).

I’m not sure what the weather will be like this year for Halloween. A cold front has come through and it is chilly right now. Perhaps it will be dry without much wind. In 2004, our last year in Texas, the weather was drizzly and cold. However, that did not keep the children away from the door. "Trick or treat" resounded from door to door. All who knocked or rang the doorbell received candy. Our neighborhood was well lit and had the reputation for being very safe and child friendly. I gave out over ten pounds of candy!

In fact, many children knocked on the door or rang the doorbell. Their ages ranged from small children to teenagers. I answered the door turning no one away without candy. I anticipate the same experience this year.

The more I think about that, the more I am drawn to this morning’s reading. Jesus invites people to knock, and the door will be opened to them to receive life. This is a precious gift, many times more valuable and longer lasting than candy. Jesus offers abundant life, any hour of the day or any day of the week. Thankfully all we need to do is ask, and we shall receive it.

You may remember from earlier devotionals that I have been helping Kyle with the construction of an entertainment center. We are getting close to the completed project. It has been incredible to spend the time with him doing this job. It reminds me of the many times when my dad took me along with him hunting or fishing. I learned more about life from those moments than at any other time. I suppose I was just as much a source of endless questions as any child, but he always gave me something for my asking. I hope I have been that kind of dad to my children. Whether I am or not, God is like that!

How about you? Is there something you need to be asking your heavenly Father today? That’s the reason for the reference Jesus uses in this passage. God is our Father. I know there have been some earthly fathers who have turned their children away, however, God is not like that. He will not give a stone when asked for bread, or a snake, when asked for fish. He gives the best of gifts to his children.