1 TIMOTHY 3:16-17

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us...God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work."

Sunday, January 1, 2012

LUKE - Happy New Year!

A new year.

I can hardly believe that it's already 2012.

Remember when everyone was freaked out that the world was going to stop when it turned midnight on December 31, 1999? A new year, a new century, a new millennium was looming. All the computers would blow up, there would be massive black-outs, a technological Armageddon was supposed to occur.

Well, it didn't.

And now it is TWELVE years later.

Sometimes I feel like a modern-day Rip Van Winkle. Did I sleep away the last 20 years? That must be it – there is no other explanation for the fact that I am closing in on 60 years old(thank goodness for smaller fonts!)

So, as I write these words, I am ending another year in my life. I am reflective. I ponder the last months. I think about the many things that have happened. There has been some wonderful stuff, for sure. But overall, it's been a year of challenge.

Truthfully? I'm entering 2012 a bit frayed around the edges – a little down, a little anxious, a little weary.

I hope I make it to midnight – so I can stick my head out the front door and mumble, "Happy New Year!" (Will "The Hub" make it so I can at least kiss him?? To be determined…)

So, I have done today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" with a desperate need for a word from the Lord. A timely word, an apropos word, a word that speaks to my need. A word that ushers in a new year with hope.

God does not disappoint.

Here are His words:

"And so I tell you, 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…how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him." (Luke 11:9-10, 13)

Hmmm.

I ask myself my year-end questions in view of this passage.

What am I asking for?

What am I seeking?

What doors am I knocking on?

It's difficult sometimes to get this straight in my mind. It's harder to get it straight in my heart.

Because there were many things I asked for in 2011 that did NOT happen. Many questions that I was seeking answers for, that were NOT found. Quite a few doors that I knocked on that were NOT opened.

So, what do I do with that?

I will not question the Word of God – especially when the words are written in RED! Jesus speaks – I will listen!

Therefore, I must question my questions, I think.

It's all a matter of perspective.

Am I not receiving things that I ask for because I'm asking for the wrong things? Or am I asking for them in the wrong way?

Are my questions not being answered because I want a certain answer? In a certain way? At a certain time? (Read: my answer, my way, my time)

Are the doors I'm knocking on not being opened because they are doors of my own choosing? Am I leaning on my own understanding for direction and guidance?

Is God really and truly answering my prayers – but I'm just not recognizing it?

Hmmm…

I believe that there is a clue here in these verses.

And it has nothing to do with the end results. It isn't about the things, the answers, the doors.

It's all about the asking, the seeking, and the knocking.

You see, God is making something happen to me in the process. Persistence overcomes MY insensitivity, not God's.

He is changing my heart and mind. I am not changing His.

He is all about my relationship to Him. So my persistent, bold prayers help me understand and express the intensity of my need. They make me focus on the bottom line of my need. My need for Him – alone. For Him – only.

There's another very important element at the end of today's "Bible Pick 'Ems."

What does God want to give us?

Good things – yes. Answers – sometimes. Open doors – often.

But what does He really want to give us?

Actually, He has already given it to us – the Holy Spirit.

The Lord wants us to be more and more filled with Him. He wants us to let Him live through us. He desires a closer relationship with us. He wants disciples that resemble and reflect His Son.

Change the perspective of those verses – and it changes everything.

Ask for more of the Holy Spirit…and you will receive Him.

Seek the Lord with all of your heart, your mind, your soul, and your strength…and you will find Him.

Knock on the door of His presence…and you will find the Kingdom thrown wide open.

Lord, as I enter a new year, may I look at You in a different way. May my asking and my seeking and my knocking be directed to You – alone. You – only.

And as I draw close to You – draw close to me.


Happy New Year, Lord.


Where are you asking, seeking, knocking as you enter the new year?


"When in doubt, search God out!"


3 comments:

  1. Well, Dear, I am older than you, and all we can do it trust the Lord and His Word. Thank God for His presence, the Holy Spirit. Blessings ~

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  2. Hi Sharon,
    Oh yes, time sure has flown by. It seems like 2000 was just yesterday. I know what you mean when you said you felt like a modern day Rip Van Winkle. I sure do not know what to think about 2012. It may be a crazy year. What we pray for and how we pray will be most important.
    God bless,
    Ken

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  3. Happy 2012 Sharon... me, too? Where has all these years gone so quickly? But look 2 were here before me... oh my... it's no longer my place...oohh and by the way, not only is your 60 not small font but it's in bold...who's messing with you? ... but only God knows the day and the hour, right? Did "hub" and you make it to midnight? I sure was up... fireworks, music, blasts... dogs bark... no sleep...

    Now, on to the main portion today that all this lapse in time leads into...
    asking, seeking, knocking... things asked, sought, and another year of bruised knuckles from knocking... bouncing off the ceiling requests seemingly unanswered another year!
    So we ponder and press on... then you capture my attention with this?

    "Is God really and truly answering my prayers – but I'm just not recognizing it?"

    AND I have thought every one of those italicized questions in the"matter of perspective part"... (suggestion for future Bible Pick'ems use RED for the Word since this gave it credibility more in your perspective that Jesus spoke it... I'm listening too!)

    THEN this response... later

    "Persistence overcomes MY insensitivity, not God's."

    really made me think and think and wonder what is God changing in me when I don't SEE the answer... my persistence is part of what I see as my problem... I wonder why do I relate this with my rebellious spirit, stubborn, persistent... when it looks like you see this as good...hmmmmm?

    So I read on... and reread the words in "green" with intense desire to get the ANSWER from you (lol) or Him...

    Clearly, I know I'm not changing God's mind... I really hope I'm asking according to His will and Word, something HE desires as much as I... so I read on... I knew the KEY was in the HOLY SPIRIT and I LOVE how you rewrote the asking, seeking, and knocking!!!

    Let's draw closer to Him in 2012 together and get the Holy Spirit to MOVE in us and HAVE HIS BEING, HIS PERSPECTIVE, HIS WAY, may we truly be reflections of HIS LIGHT!!! I'm with YOU asking, seeking and knocking!!!

    Thank you Luke! Thank YOU LORD! Thank YOU HOLY SPIRIT! Thanks Sharon! I think I have a new perspective on my persistence in praying! Praying and believing for you, me, and our Ps!!!

    Love,
    Peggy

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"So I have been greatly encouraged in the midst of my troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives me new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How I thank God for you!"
(1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!