A few days ago was my birthday. And as always, God has a verse or passage for me to keep in my heart throughout the year. I love this little thing that He does each year because I know that it is His present to me. His gift always makes me smile and fills my heart with joy.
So this years verses are about persistence. Persistence in and of itself has been a gift, a trait, that the Lord blessed me with as part of my personality. So the Father's reminder of this inner trait that I have was such an encouragement because it reminds me to keep the faith, keep going forward and keep believing I will see His work in me and my life come to full fruition. What a beautiful Lord we have.
So on Sunday our Pastor made mention of these verses in his sermon. I then read them as part of my reading yesterday. That's one and two. The third reinforcement to God's idea for my yearly focus came in the form of a rock. LOL Yup, a rock. As I go out for some exercise around my neighborhood, there is one house that has all these colorful painted rocks in front of their property. They have different uplifting words painted on them and they always make me smile. But today those rocks were pointed directly at my heart, specifically one rock that had the word "SEEK" on it. The third confirmation was in place for God's gift.
Many of us pray and pray and pray for a specific request. Whether it's for a loved one, ourselves...we pray for months, years and still don't see an answer or solution. I feel that way when it comes to God changing me. I pray and pray and pray and still struggle with some of the same issues. I've seen progress in some areas, but certain personality traits, certain sinful attitudes seem to have a stranglehold. I struggle with motives, "Lord, maybe You're not changing me because I want it for the wrong reasons." And then there's the condemnation. "Lord, I guess I'm not obedient enough." (Probably true to some degree.) And then there's the unbelief. "Lord, I guess You just don't want to change me. You don't care." Yup. I go through all the cycles until we cycle around again to faith and persistence. And we pray some more. We submit some more. We trust some more. (Definitely progress!😊)
So this passage from the sermon on the mount was a special encouragement to me this new year of my life. I really needed to hear it and be reminded that when I seek God's will, seek His grace and mercy, seek His ways and seek His glory I will be answered, and I will see God's work and word done in my life. I will remember and rely on His truth. Philippians 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Now the verses to bury as seed in my heart during this 59th year of my life. Matthew 7:7-11 Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 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! So 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.
Don't give up. Nowhere in this passage is a "maybe" or a "might." The word repeated over and over is "WILL." This is a definite. Don't lose heart. Keep praying, keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking on the doors of heaven. God is listening and God has the perfect plan (we have to let Him decide what is good) and perfect time for your answer. The first day we pray the wheels start turning when we seek God's plan. Daniel 10:12 Then he said, "Don't be afraid, Daniel." Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer." When we humble ourselves before God and seek His will first...our answers are already in the making. The timing is best left to God. He is never in a hurry nor is He ever late.
I know You have my prayer in Your heart. I know You are working Your will in me in Your timing. Lord, keep us all persistent. Help us not to give up and walk away. Teach us to keep seeking Your face. I know You never get tired of hearing from us. I am so blessed by Your gift this year Lord. I find it such an encouragement that my prayers are not in vain. Thank You over and over and over. Lord, please use these Words of Yours and the words that I have put down here to bring encouragement to someone else who needs to hear them. I know how hard it is to not see the results and answers we want when we want them. Keep us faithful, because You are faithful. In Jesus strong and mighty Name. Amen.
Be persistent.
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