ask, seek, knock...

Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)

Recently, I have had the pleasure of meeting some amazing women.  (I know I have mentioned this to several of you already)  Among them, TaJuan McCarty of The WellHouse, Inc. and Lisa Holifield of Roxeanne and Russell in the mornings on WDJC.  To say it has kinda given me something to think about is definitely an understatement!  The job that God has laid in these ladies laps has been a real eye opener for me. They have bravely and humbly picked up the armor of God and prepared themselves for His calling.  Being around them, the Holy Spirit is just infectious! (Did I say that right?!  You get what I am meaning!)  Jesus is just oozing out of them!  I told Lisa that I am just in love with her.  She is just fabulous.  But really, I am in love with Jesus.  It is God, His Love, His Son, His Holy Spirit that I see in her.  I see what she is fighting for and I want to help!

You know, you have to be careful what you ask God for, He might just give it to you!  He has put these two amazing women in my path and I have got to be sensitive to Him and know what He wants me to do about it!  lol!  Yes, it is funny to me. . . you can't imagine the road God has had me on lately.   I have been asking God to broaden my territory for some time now.  To use me, open doors for me so that I can spread His life-changing WORD.  I mean, I have been just itching to do all I can for The King and His Kingdom.  One of the jobs He has so graciously given me is  leading The Women's Ministry at my church.  I know, a HUGE task, but just flowing with godly opportunities and His blessings. I feel like God has lead me in a direction so that others can be made aware and get involved helping others. 

You know, we don't know much about Jabez , but He would be amazed at how God took his little prayer, used it as a foundation to build amazing ministries.  He truly did broaden his territory!  I think one of the things that we can learn from Jabez and his prayer is that we must keep God in the center of our work.  We have to invite Him in and ask Him to BLESS us.  Jabez wanted to increase his ability to influence others of God.  Exactly how large he increases this territory is not the important part.  But the willingness and the obedience to do so.  When you commit to doing God's work, I believe it is crucial to not only be obedient but to do this in  a close relationship with God.   We must continue to seek His guidance with every step we make.  How can we do this, stay close to Him? Well, if you didn't already know, I am on this little mission to encourage others  and myself  to stay in His word and hide it in our hearts.  His WORD is alive and it will change your life.  His WORD is POWERFUL!  Hebrews 4:12.  So, dig in!  Grab the Bible and read His word daily, memorize it, hide it in your heart.  Bible verses tell of God's love and give us everlasting hope!   PRAY,  (Isaiah 55:6 )take everything to Him in prayer.  Ask Him to show you where He wants you to be, how He can use you and your talents.  Commune with Him throughout your day.  And praise him prayerfully.  SURROUND yourself with Godly things and Godly people. Hebrews 10: 24-25.   People who will hold you accountable, encourage you, challenge you to grow spiritually.  And, you have got to make sure you GROW!  You can't become complacent with your relationship with Christ.  You gotta get rid of the bad in your life, prune away that which is not fruitful, so that you can grow.  John 15:2. 

I am hoping you all will open your eyes to this faith based ministry, The WellHouse, Inc and please join me as we pray for this ministry and all the people involved.  These people need us!  (Actually all they need is God, but I think He wants us to help out!)  It is as simple as planting a seed.  That is all we have to do and HE will do the rest.  Everyone needs to know of God's love, power and all surpassing peace.  My prayer for you is the same for myself.  Asking the Lord to expand our abilities to reach the lost.  

So, with all this being said. . .our verse for this week (or what is left of it!). . .  

⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

bypassing the belly of the whale...

Romans 8:32

I don't know about you, but I'm bypassing the belly of the whale and heading straight to Nineveh! 

I want to be able to hear God when He is speaking to me and with all my heart I DO want to OBEY.  I need to be in the right place, and by this I mean spiritually, so that I am able to hear His voice, listen and be obedient.  He has blessing after blessing planned for us and when we don't seek Him and obey, we are missing all these blessings intended just for us.  Just think of all the blessings we miss when we don't listen to God and follow Him!

Jonah feared God and the task that God had laid before him.  Sometimes what God is asking of us doesn't seem "doable"!  We think, "WHAT?!?!", the money isn't there, the time isn't right, not enough faith, and just not enough courage.  The excuses  list could go on and on. . .   But the saying tells us that the WILL of God will never lead you where the GRACE of God can not keep you! 

Blessings from our heavenly Father can come to us in so many different forms.  My Daddy told me last week that he did not want me to miss out on a single one of God's BLESSINGS!  He wants so bad for me to have EVERYTHING that God has intended for me to have.  I so want that for myself as well as each and every one of you.  I think in order to receive some of these blessings we have to listen and obey.  Go where He nudges, even if it looks a little like Nineveh! 

Prepare us Oh Lord to HEAR you voice, SEE your direction and OBEY your will for our lives. 

Ask this question, "Are you where you need to be spiritually to receive God's blessings?"

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord, you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ" Colossians 3:23-24. (NKJV)

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself" Philippians 2:3 (NKJV).  Expand your territory and multiply you blessings by applying this Scripture!


Jonah should not be left just for the children.  His is a story of great life lessons.  Among them are  OBEDIENCE and the willingness of spirit.  We need to listen and obey.  Jonah did as God asked, but continued to cause problems! (That's a story for another day!)  But for now. ..   bypass the belly!!!  GO where HE leads!  Blessings will be poured upon you.


"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:32 (NIV, 2011)

Seeking Him,
Natalie







 

abc's...

John 6:47
At the request of my sweet Emma Mae, I am  asking that we all hide John 6:47 in our hearts!  Part of her curriculum in K5 is learning a Bible verse each with each letter of the alphabet.  I noticed her just busy, busy. . .  writing away at our desk this morning.  As I passed over her, I noticed she was writing down verses from her ABC Bible verse cards.  She asked if there were any that we had not memorized on Word Warriors.  I told her to pick me out one and I would post on our blog.  She was so excited that she got to pick the verse this week!  She wasn't half as excited as I was to be sharing scriptures and talking about God's Word with my sweet baby girl. 

I have been learning Emma Mae's verses with her as well as the verses posted here.  It has been a challenge, but it has been so much fun.  Such a blessing! 
I encourage you to join Emma Mae and myself as we learn the Bible verse for V this week!  I think it is a GREAT verse!

V-- Verily, verily I say unto you, He that believeth on me has everlasting life. John 6:47
 
 
I am praying that there are ones out there who are being encouraged to go and grab a Bible and read God's WORD and memorize these beautiful scriptures and hide them in your hearts!

Much love,
Natalie & Emma Mae