Proverbs 4:7

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding." ~Proverbs 4:7




Saturday, April 20, 2013

Persistent Asking



It Shall Be Given!!

And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed, I cannot rise and give thee.  I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity (persistent asking; my add-on) he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. (Luke 11:5-10)

Reading over these verses, I saw something that I had never seen before. I can remember times back when I would read these verses and not fully understand what I've read. And in those moments, I ask the Holy Spirit for His help. Just a few days ago, I received that help. The scales began to fall when my Pastor was going over the eleventh chapter of Luke. Something in these verses stuck out at me. I decided to do some extra studying. And that's when I realized the power of the message that was revealed.

God wants us to be persistent in our asking of things from Him. There is a scripture in the book of Matthew that says to ask and we shall receive. In my own life, I recall various situations that I had asked of things from God and received them. But I had to keep asking. I had to keep praying. They didn't just come from one time of asking. Grant it be, I'm not saying here that you just go to God because of something you desire to get and it's your way to receive it. Notice, in the verses above, Jesus said that "if a friend" comes to you. This means that a relationship has been established here. You have to have an relationship with God in order to receive from Him.

God knows of everything we need before we even ask. And guess what?...... He desires to give those things to us. There are some things that we need or desire that will require of us to do a little more than hold our hand out and expect to receive. We are going to have to ask while being peristent in our asking. And in due time, what we have asked for will be ours. It's all done by the grace and mercy and love of God.

When I prayed to God to show me what should be my first priority, it came from months of asking. Possibly years. I want to please Him in every way. What He revealed to me was the building of my house. Honoring my husband, taking care of my children, watching over my home.....all these things is what I asked Him for. For me to be able to carry this out requires me to still be persistent in asking. And that's the beauty of knowing such an awesome God. He delights in the prayers of His children.

Do you have something that you desire? Ask God! Be persistent about it and make sure you are wanting it for all the right reasons. It shall be given. Blessings.


~ Erica



Wednesday, April 10, 2013

A Measure of Faith

I'm humbled by the opportunity that has been given me to write after such a long time away. The time that I have been gone was time much needed to reflect, prioritize, pray and pray some more. When it comes to the progress of my home building, I believe that we are well on our way. The privilege God has given to be able to come to the throne of grace and let my requests be made known is one that I hold dear to my heart (Hebrews 4:6). So shall I let you in?

The word of God says that God has dealt to every man a measure of faith. That includes me. And the reason for that measure of faith is so that He can carry out His will and purpose in our lives. The book of Hebrews states that without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). You cannot call yourself a believer of God and have no faith. The two are contrary to each other. But when joined together, they are a mighty force in our lives. Or should I say my life? Over the course of days, I've realized a lot of things: 1. Faith in God is what allows me to carry out the works of God. 2. I am powerless without faith. 3. I have everything I need in God alone through faith. I do not feel led to go any further than that. But I close on this note that now works must follow my faith (James 2:26). I must do the things necessary and make the necessary sacrifices to show my family that I love them. Most importantly, God loves them more. I know the steps that I've made since my last post are stepping stones to victory in Christ Jesus. Blessings.

So as the body without the spirit is dead, 
so faith without works is dead also.
(James 2:26)