ASK, SEEK KNOCK

                                                   

ASK, SEEK KNOCK.

In Philippians 4:6-7 it says "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests by known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." 

I researched the word "supplication" means "the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly" Is there something you are praying for, asking others to pray for? You read there in Philippians in God's own word to 'petition and ask, plead for' that to me seems like there should be a lot more serious praying going on around us! When you think of a young toddler or child when they want something that they cannot afford themselves in the toy or candy store, they will not just 'ask' calmly, but they are usually seen begging, over and over pleading with their mom or dad, knowing his parent has the means to buy it. 

Our Heavenly Father wants us to come to Him, with the knowledge and with humility before him, asking him for what we need and want. 

In Matthew 7:11 it says, "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."

Commitment

   I love when I fight to the end and finish something.  What is it about life that we sign up to do something, we raise our hand in excitement to volunteer, we want to be the first in line, then there is the struggle. The struggle for you to give up, quit, give in.

   One of the best lessons I have learned is to have tenacity in life, to persevere, to endure to an end of something I have committed to. The word 'tenacious' is defined as: "persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired."

Challenge yourself to stick it out until the end of your commitments, the joy and reward is so worth it. You can pat yourself on the back and have the feeling of accomplishment and success!
More than that, you are building yourself a good name, a great reputation and the bible says in Proverbs 22:1, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."

Preparing the Soil

For the past 7 years Southern Ca (and most of the entire state) has been in a very bad drought. I have seen many brownish, golden hills since moving here 13 years ago, until just recently that is.
We had some glorious rains bless our dry thirsty soils here resulting in some outstanding super blooms, lush green grassy hills, vibrant and rich mountains and fragrant new blooms everywhere you go.
One thing I have learned from witnessing this recent change in the agriculture is about planting, growing and crops. I have learned that planting new seeds sometimes take time, patience after uprooting the old dead plants, flowers and shrubs that didn't make it from the heavy rains.
The ground and the soil was hardened and non-absorbent to see plants grow.
The seeds are the same seeds before you try to plant them. Some soil is not ready, the long dry drought has made it impossible to fertilize it, even if there is now new amazing glorious foliage it is still not prepared for planting.

Just like the word of God and people. Sometimes there is so much bitterness and anger and unforgiving heart in someones life and heart that even the most prepared Pastor or teacher and person that comes along to share it with them, they are hardened just like the hardened ground to plant new seeds.
We need to pray for hardened hearts, and minds to be softened for the word to infiltrate them where they are. No one can force someone to change, we have to pray for the Holy Spirit to change and prepare them to hear the word and to accept his love and forgiveness.

Psalm 139:23
"Search me oh God and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be 

any hurtful way in me and lead me into the everlasting way"

A Tree and Its Fruit Luke 6:43-45 

 “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit,  for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, or out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Training Camp

When we are in a sunny, hot climate we complain it's 'too hot', when we are in a cold place, we grumble it's too cold. We search daily for that perfect place, that amazing weather, friendly people with low crime and we want to live there. We are really saying we want "heaven" on earth! 

We have to train our minds  now for heaven. This is the training camp, here on earth to be grateful each day for whatever we have, weather, health, people in our lives and more. 

Sometimes we get our thinking off the eternal view and it can be confusing, but the word of God has so much to say on this. 

In Philippians 4 it says, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have leaned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 

I can do all this through him who gives me strength." And in 1 Timothy 4:8, "
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." We are training for the eternal through the hardships in our lives the trials we go through, we will win the prize for running your race with endurance? 

JOY of The Lord

If 'the joy of the Lord is our strength" then we have a lot to focus on what "gives" us joy so we can keep moving on with strength. Are you putting stuff in your life and schedule that drains you and brings you down? Are you surrounding yourself around people who make you happy and encourage you to do what you need to do in your life to 'be a better version of you' or are you filled with people in your life who are negative and depressing you?

 I say all this because if "the joy of the Lord is our "strength" then we need to live a purposeful intention daily focused on what gives us that to live a powerful life for God, and when we do that we are living our life's purpose and we are going to find that we influence others in our lives to also be joyful and happy because it is definitely a contagious way to live! 

One way to be joyful is to live content. In Phil 4 it says "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want, I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength"  

Our strength comes from living a life of contentment and that result will be JOY.

Action Plan

What is holding you back from launching forward on any of your own personal goals, passions or dreams? 


 I am sure you have many dreams and you still haven't worked toward pursuing what to do next to make them happen.
Everyone needs an "action plan". It's really important to 'write down' your thoughts in a journal or your app on your phone. When God stirs your heart to a new idea or passion you have in your life, write it down, after that, make a list of 'to do's' for each one of those thoughts and ideas you have stirring inside you. 
Why is writing down your dreams so vital? with Life coaching and ministry opportunities I encourage people to draw and write their dreams out, this is huge in taking the next step. When we plan a vacation or a trip somewhere, we have much better success if we map out where we plan to go, and where drive, we find out the best places to eat and shop to make the best out of our very precious time. No one wants to aimlessly go somewhere not having a plan.  The same goes for our plans in life. 

In Proverbs 16:9 it is said "In their hearts a man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." We do need to plan, but there are times God in his wisdom and love for us, will direct and monitor the best way to go. I love this about him. A child depends on the parent in a similar way, our Heavenly Father sees us this way also, in love guiding us along the best way for us to go.

New Year's Focus

There are many times in our lives that we need ‘balance’. You hear that theme a lot especially during the New Year. People will say to have balance in your diet, your exercising life, balance with drinking, time with your family, time with your friends. Sometimes just thinking about having and maintaining balance in itself is the issue that makes us live a life without good balance!

 What do you need from God today, what do you want  change for the new year? Today, on the first day of a new year my mind is going towards the theme of "wisdom". In Proverbs 3:13-15 it says, "Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare to her.” 

Wisdom comes from God and we have to "ask, seek and knock" to find it. 

ASK

SEEK 

KNOCK.

Sometimes anxiety and worry blocks our ability to gain the wisdom God may have for us but i

n Philippians 4:6-7 it says "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests by known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

I researched the word "supplication" means "the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly" Is there something you are praying for, asking others to pray for? You read there in Philippians in God's own word to 'petition and ask, plead for' that to me seems like there should be a lot more serious praying going on around us! When you think of a young toddler or child when they want something that they cannot afford themselves in the toy or candy store, they will not just 'ask' calmly, but they are usually seen begging, over and over pleading with their mom or dad, knowing his parent has the means to buy it. 

Our Heavenly Father wants us to come to Him, with the knowledge and with humility before him, asking him for what we need and want. In Matthew 7:11 it says, "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."