Ask and it will be given to you;
Seek and you will find;
Knock and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7
Right now for my personal Bible study, I am working my way through Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount.” This past week found me in the 7th chapter of Matthew. As I studied the passage titled “Ask, Seek, Knock” the pictures featured above kept flitting through my mind as an illustration of the text. Although each picture features a different dog, these Labradors all have one thing in common. Their calm, unwavering approach. They have given me a visual reminder to approach the Lord without hesitation and with the serenity of knowing He hears, He sees, He responds.
I leave you with the concluding verses of this passage and the encouragement to visit my fellow blogger Pete Caliguiri’s reflective post on this same passage titled “Answered Prayer” (click here).
Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish will give him a snake? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Matthew 7: 9-11
© 2019-2023, Lessons from a Lab, Beth Alisan. All Rights Reserved.
Lessons from a Lab 
Wow–you DID find the perfect photos for that verse! Each one made me smile! I wonder what other photos in your files might illustrate other scriptures? You might have enough for a dog-lovers’ book, Beth!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Nancy! I love when a scripture brings a picture to mind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow Beth! Those photos just knock it out of the park!! I also love how you explain them from the Lab’s point of view. Thanks for linking to my post but I definitely like yours better!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Pastor Pete! When I read that passage of scripture, I thought of those pictures but didn’t take the steps to make them into scripture photos. A few days later I read your post which prompted me to dig up the photographs and put the scriptures on them. So at the end of the day, my post wouldn’t have come to fruition if it hadn’t of been for your post.
LikeLike
I would have never imagined. They are perfect along with a wonderful memorable post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful! Ah, the trust of good things to come on those doggy faces. I want to be like that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Nora! I couldn’t agree more.
LikeLike
As the saying goes Beth, “a picture is worth a thousand words” which is certainly true in your lovely labrador photographs. What a loving Father God we serve sister.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Alan! How blessed we are by His love. Have a wonderful day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think all labs would be quite happy if they just asked and then they found 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree Tierney!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beth, these are perfect photos to imprint illustrative images into our minds. God bless you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Manette! Have a lovely day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great visual reminders Beth. I have often wondered why I need that kind of encouragement so often in life, but I do. Thanks
LikeLiked by 2 people
I need those visual reminders as well, Gary. Thank goodness creation, as it declares God’s glory, is filled with those reminders.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Beth. I always like how you choose carefully which pictures of your dogs go best with which verse. Always just right. I especially like those taken outdoors. I always wish I could explore the outdoors the way I used to be able.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you GW! Your comment means a lot! One of my utmost concerns both in my lessons and in these photo journals is that through them I am “accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15). I have a trusted friend and family member to whom I can turn to preview my materials to make sure I am doing just that. I’m blessed with dogs who love the outdoors as much as I do. My father, who turned 81 this year, has always been my favorite hiking partner. But the years are taking a toll on his joints and he’s not able to be as adventurous as he used to be. We choose easier trails these days and I cherish every hike we enjoy together.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such awesome photos!!! My goodness, this is such a wonderful and uplifting post! This is such a gift on a rainy Monday morning. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Linda! I’m glad it came as a ray of Son-shine or a rainy Monday morning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your precious pictures certainly drive home the wonderful point that we can, as you said, “approach the Lord without hesitation and with the serenity of knowing He hears, He sees, He responds.” He loves us even more than you have loved your Labs, even more than we love our own children. We as believers are incredibly blessed! Thank you for showing us that truth so beautifully in pictures and words, Beth.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Patty! Your comment brought to mind the song lyrics -“The overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God.” His love is truly beyond anything I can conceive this side of heaven. We are incredibly blessed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how you illustrated this much-loved scripture with the perfect photographs, Beth! Each Lab is totally focused on the task at hand, just like we should be with God. The Lord said He would never leave or forsake us, and that ought to be enough. Yet, I still struggle to trust Him at times. Thank you for the reminder, and for linking to Pastor Pete’s excellent post. God Bless!
🐾🐾🐾Hugs for Adi, Summer, and the very large Lab in the first photo–if he’s a hugger.😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you David. Your comments are always an encouragement to me for which I am so grateful. Adi & Summer send their love in return.
LikeLiked by 1 person