David, the psalmist wrote in Psalms 63:1-3
"O God, thou art my God;
early will I seek thee:
my soul thirsteth for thee,
my flesh longeth for thee
in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
to see thy power and thy glory,
so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
Because thy lovingkindness is better than life,
my lips shall praise thee."
Indeed, just as David wrote, "early will I seek thee" is so true for me as well. Spending this time with Him early is a true joy and pleasure. While I was in my quiet time this morning, I opened one of my favorite devotionals and as I read the words found there, they ministered gently to my soul. I want to share it with you. I believe you will be as blessed as I was!
This is from Oswald Chambers devotional "My Utmost for His Highest".
THE CONCEPT OF DIVINE CONTROL
"...how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him."
Matt. 7:11
Jesus is laying down the rules of conduct in this passage for those people who have His Spirit. He urges us to keep our minds filled with the concept of God's control over everything, which means that a disciple must maintain an attitude of perfect trust and an eagerness to ask and to seek.
Fill your mind with the thought that God is there.
And once your mind is truly filled with that thought, when you experience difficulties it will be easy as breathing for you to remember, "My heavenly Father knows all about this." This will be no effort at all, but will be a natural thing for you when difficulties and uncertainties arise.
Before you formed this concept of divine control so powerfully in your mind,
you used to go from person to person seeking help,
but now you go to God about it.
Jesus is laying down the rules of conduct for those people who have His Spirit, and it works on the following principle:
God is my Father, He loves me
and I will never think of anything that He will forget,
so why should I worry?
Jesus said there are times when God cannot lift the darkness from you, but you should trust Him.
At times God will appear like an unkind friend, but He is not,
He will appear like an unnatural father, but He is not;
He will appear like an unjust judge, but He is not.
Keep the thought that the mind of God is behind all things strong and growing. Not even the smallest detail of life happens unless God's will is behind it.
Therefore, you can rest in perfect confidence in Him.
Prayer is not only asking, but is an attitude of the mind
which produces the atmosphere in which asking is perfectly natural.
"Ask, and it will be given to you..."
What an encouragement this was to read today! GOD KNOWS! Indeed He knows, even before we know about life's difficulties and circumstances that threaten to steal our peace in Him. And our job is simply this.... not to run to so-and-so and ask for their advice or input.... but instead to RUN TO HIM!
Turning to Him in the midst of our difficulties is a training process that must be into place in the life of every believer.
When we learn that we can take
every.single.thing
to the Lord that concerns us,
this is when we will begin to experience
the greatest overcoming victories in our lives
than we ever thought possible.
I pray that you turn to Jesus today, look full into His wonderful face...
whatever it may...
difficulties
turmoils,
questions,
hurts,
pain,
suffering,
fear
RUN to Jesus with it. Look immediately to HIM for the answer.
He knows already. He has the answer.
HE IS IN CONTROL!
Remember this... as the devotional said... "Ask, and it SHALL be given to you..."
May the blessings, peace, and rich presence of the Lord be with you today!
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This is just beautiful. Lately, the Lord has been telling me repeatedly that HE wants to be my all in all. I have heard that saying all my life, but it has never really hit me with such force until recently. Him being our all in all is exactly what you have said in this post...and the devotional. Going to Him for everything, instead of going to so-and-so or falling back on our own safety nets or taking our own escape routes out of a trial. God is a jealous God, and HE wants to be that all-in-all person to us. I wish I had seen this much earlier in life, but how I thank Him for showing me now. Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful words, dear friend. They were exactly what I needed to hear! Sending you many hugs!
ReplyDeleteAppreciate your sweet words today, Dear Cheryl! Oh, this is a lesson that I continue to learn, and be reminded of. My trust in the Lord must be genuine, not just something I speak out of my mouth, but something that flows from my very innermost being! Each new trial or "thing" that presents itself may threaten to steal our peace, and we hope that some earthly idea, or person can help. But I am learning, God is worthy, quite worthy of my trust, and it is to Him I need to go to FIRST, and when I do this... I find His answers, and His ways are truly best! Appreciate your dear words today, and praying that the Lord blesses your day with beautiful things in HIM!
DeleteI'm guilty of rushing into the day and saying only a quick prayer. But I do try to wake up early and spend a few moments with the Lord as much as I can.
ReplyDeleteOh dear Lux... it is a most precious thing to allow yourself that time each day with Him. My day goes so much better when I MAKE the time to spend with Him. Praying that the Lord continues to bless your life and your heart with beautiful things in HIM!
DeleteOh, what an encouragement your words were to me today...I loved the devotional you shared from Oswald Chambers - how true that the Lord is the only One we should turn to in times of difficulty and trial... He is indeed in control and knows everything about us...He is working everything out for our good!
ReplyDeleteSending you much love and hugs today...
With joy in Jesus!
Kelly-Anne
Oswald Chambers is one of my very favorite devotionals, perhaps tied with the devotionals written by Mrs. Charles Cowman, Streams in the Desert I and II. How many times they have ministered deeply to my heart! Indeed what a comfort it is to know that the Lord really cares about every little detail of our lives, and wants our trust in Him. Appreciate your sweet visit and precious words today, as always, and praying the sweetest blessings of the Lord on your life today!
DeleteI find it so interesting that no matter what religion or philosophy, praying/meditating/sitting in the morning is always said to be optimal. I pray at night, maybe I should try morning!
ReplyDeleteYes, there is something about waking up in the morning, fresh without the day's problems or difficulties crowding your mind, and to spend that fresh time with the Lord. I always pray at night too... but do find that my times in the morning are most precious, and I draw on their strength throughout the day. Praying the Lord continues to bless you in beautiful ways today :)
DeleteI read the Golden Book of Oswald Chambers(My Utmost for His Highest), and his Daily Devotional Bible. Years ago I attended a concert dedicated to his concept...My Utmost for His Highest. It was awesome!! Your post is very inspiring, and you've shared much wisdom in your words. You are a blessing.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
xo
Wow, a concert devoted to the Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest - wow! How incredibly awesome that would be! This devotional is one of my very favorites, and always speaks deeply to my heart. You are a blessing too, dear Debbie, and praying the Lord continues to bless your life with His precious presence! :)
DeleteThe concert was glorious! It was when Sandi Patti was returning to performing after her affair. She said that if the audience rejected her at the concert she knew she was meant to retire...but if we accepted her, she knew she was forgiven. After her song people were standing on their seats applauding her for her honesty, and humility. Twila Paris was there, Steven Curtis Chapman, and a few other popular Christian singers and groups. It was amazing! The whole theme just filled my spirit! Oswald Chambers is pretty "deep", as far as his concepts, and writings go....that's what I love about his work. He really gets to the deepest places in your soul and makes you THINK hard about what he is saying. He makes me want to give all of myself to God.
DeleteSweet friend, I came to this post ready to apologize for being late to read it, but now I am not going to say sorry because this was just what I needed to read right now at this very moment....God's timing is always perfect {{smiles}}
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, dear one. Have a blessed day. Much love!
Isn't the Lord's timing always just right on time! I've been blessed many times by your wonderful posts too, especially the ones on Sundays! Appreciate your visit, and your precious comment, always uplifting to my soul! Much love across the miles :)
DeleteWhat a true blessing your post has been. Thank you for sharing. God truly is in control and He knows what you need and when and how to give it to you...He knew I needed to read your post. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
❤️Ana
Yes, many times, I've had to live out the things that the Lord has prompted me to share, and this happens to be one of those times. He knew I needed to know that! We are now pretty much settled in our new home, and just loving living here in this beautiful place! God is so good! I appreciate your friendship, and your visit so much. Praying the Lord is continuing to do beautiful things in your life! :)
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