Today's Scripture: Jesus and JFK

[MORTARDUDE]

Today's Scripture:
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"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you
will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For
everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks
finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened"
Matt 7:7-8

Every time I read these verses, I am reminded of those famous
words spoken by President Kennedy: ?Ask not what your
country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your
country.? I suppose the word that brings back this memory
is ?ask.? Mr. Kennedy used the word in the sense of making
yourself available to the country and the welfare of all. Indeed,
this was ? and is ? a lofty suggestion. I don?t recall if the
American people arose to the call, but we should have ?
and we should now. Our former president was issuing a call
for Americans to come to the surface and do what all Americans
are supposed to be doing ? helping. I venture to say that if
President Bush were to issue this call today, those opposed
to the conservative point of view ? including Mr. Kennedy?s
own brother -- would greet it coolly.

Jesus, on the other hand, was issuing a call to mankind to
call upon the One who is able to equip us for the work at hand.
?Ask,? He says, ?and you will receive whatever you need for the
occasion.? He continues, ?Seek, and you will find what you are
looking for.? He then concludes, ?Knock, and the door of opportunity
will be opened to you.? Jesus equips, instructs, and provides
opportunity for service.

How different from Mr. Kennedy?s speech. He never promised to
equip us. He never offered the education necessary. Nor did he
provide opportunity. Government usually fails in all of these areas.
Government prefers to give to those who have need in order that
they will become dependent upon Government. In that way,
Government will control the masses. Jesus wants to set us free.

Isn?t it amazing how two men from two worlds can use similar
words and the meaning be completely opposite each other?