“Ask and it shall be given to you” Matthew 7:7

“Blessed is the one that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly” Psalm 1:1

Have you ever notice that some conversations we have affect us physically, mentally and if allowed they decide our pathway in life. Look for instance at the conversation Jacob had with his mother, that forever changed his relationship with his brother (Genesis 27).

There comes a time in our lives when we have to stop and assess the conversations that direct and determine the direction of our lives.  More often than not, in the bustle of everyday life we neglect to pay attention to the condition of our soul and what forms our frame of reference.   Psalm 1 interrupts our busy yet settled life with its warning that, the counsel of the ungodly can curse our lives instead of the blessings that we seek.  Everyone wants the blessings of the Lord to come upon us and accompany us in all we do.  However, we forget that blessings come with obedience to God in Jesus Christ and His word.  Curses, however, come when we become careless and disobedient in our response to God and his commandments.  Some of us reading this might laugh and say there is no such thing as being cursed, however,  Deuteronomy 28: 15 -68 clearly outlines for us what being cursed  means: blight, drought, disease, bottom of the barrel, bareness of soul, spirit, field and so forth.  What conversations are we having that are bringing blight, drought , barrenness and disease in our lives? Stop and check whose influential counsel order your steps and does this counsel line up with  God’s Word for you?

In Matthew 7:7 Jesus reminds us that God wants us to ask and it will be given.  So let us ask him to teach us how to walk and talk and filter the conversations that drive us, so that we articulate godly counsel impacting positively our circle of influence.    Let us like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, walking in the counsel of Jesus himself and have our hearts burn within us he speaks.   This will at once empower us to share immediately with others who need to encounter the risen Saviour.

PRAYER:

Father we take it for granted that everyone we meet has our interest at heart.  Give us discernment to know what to filter out and what to absorb.  Let your Word take first place in our lives.  Open the eyes of our hearts so that we can have a clearer picture of you.  Forgive us for walking in the counsel of ungodly and polluting ourselves with things that disgrace your name.  Fill us again with your Holy Spirit so that we are filled with boldness and all that is needed to influence this world for you.   AMEN.