What do you want? This devotional was taken from the archives and adjusted a bit but it stands true today, our God shall supply all our needs; remember to seek Him first and trust that He will supply!
Did
you ever get what you wanted even before you asked for it? Have you ever been
sitting in Church and the Pastor spoke about your life, but you had never told
him what you were going through? Who would know what you are going through
today when no one else does? How do you know that its God?
Lets
look—In His Word!
Blessed
be the Lord for He has heard the voice of my supplications! Psalm 28:6 (nkjv)
Julie awoke to the new day. The sun
was shining and it would be a beautiful day outside, but inside her heart Julie
saw only clouds. She knew that today would be another drudgery. She would go
job searching, then to the food bank. Neither of which would be productive but
at least she could say she made an effort to feed her three young children.
Reaching
for the drab but clean cotton linen dress with tiny little marigolds dancing
over a pale-yellow background she thought to herself, “I sure wish I had a
better outfit to apply for this office job in. I will be lucky if they don’t
send me out thinking I am just looking for a place to warm up with this old
rag.” Tears brimming as she tucked her golden-brown hair up in a loose bun and
added a touch of makeup from the few dabs she had left, Julie left the house
newspaper in hand and notebook and folder holding her resume under her arm.
At
least the children were at her mothers, they would be cared for all this week
while she attempted again to get a job that would help her pay the rent. There
had to be a way to make ends meet. If only she had a little help.
Glancing
upwards she thought of the Bible verse she had heard spoken as a child.
But He
knows the way that I take… Job 23:10a (nkjv)
“If He
knows the way I take, I sure hope it’s a good one.” She spoke aloud as if
towards God but not really too Him. She did not want to bother God, the
Almighty with her petty problems, He had much bigger things to deal with she
was sure. Much bigger than taking care of a single mother with three children
who was desperately in need of a job to pay the bills before she lost the small
home her husband had left her with.
Glancing
around as she rode the city bus to her first interview, she saw a man with s
sign.
“Out
of Work” It read, as he was begging for food or money. If all he did was beg he
would be out of work for a long time. She thought to herself. She was going to
be different; she knew somehow. She did not want to reduce herself to begging.
There had to be someway…
"Therefore
do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before
you ask Him. Matthew 6:8-9
(nkjv)
The
day went on slowly as she went from one interview to the next, trying to ignore
the glances from employees and other interviewees, she smiled. God knew her needs;
He would take care of her. She closed
her eyes and tried not to think of those people, she would focus on things she
knew would make her calm and peaceful.
If
only she knew had a friend to turn to now. But there was no one. She did not
know what to do if she could not get a job today.
Stil,l
Julie continued her trek and then headed home for the day.
There had been a couple of good possibilities. She would hear from them in the
morning if she got two of the jobs. That was encouraging at least.
Strolling
home from the bus stop she could hear her stomach growling. The apple she had
eaten for lunch did nothing to curb the hunger that had been there since
morning. Still, once she got home all she could do was fix a nice cup of black
coffee and relish the fact that she had that. The appointments had been longer
than she expected and the foodbank was closed when she had reached its doors.
“I
don’t know what I will do,” she said to herself, and glanced up towards the sky
again. “Lord thank you for the coffee I left in the pot this morning, at least
it will subside my hunger.” She rounded the corner to her home and thought she
would cry. There on her doorstep were not just one, but three… no, four bags of
groceries!
Moving
them out of the way Julie turned the screen knob and reached for her keys.
Looking up to insert the door key she was brought to tears and to her knees.
There on her door hanging from the knocker was a note.
“Just thought you could use this, and to know
that I am praying for you. Love from, your Secret Friend.”
Through
the tears she removed the note and took three hangers from the handle. On the
hangers hung not just one, but three business type dresses and suits.
“How?”
She wondered aloud. “How did she know? I did not even ask God for the one
dress, and yet, He has provided three for me.” Julie turned the key in the lock
and entered her home, making three trips to bring everything in. Just as she
was about to close the screen, she noticed two pair of shoes also sitting on
the porch.
“Thank
you, God.” She smiled up at Him with a heart full of joy. She began emptying
the bags and found them full of everything she needed to fill her cupboard to
last her until her first paycheck. It was
an amazing supply of noodles, spaghetti and ramen both, plus some cans of sauce
and broth… cheese! There was cheese for sandwiches with the bread in there… and
tortillas...even a pack of tissue for the bathroom. She smiled knowing, God had
provided everything she needed.
And if
anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
1 Corinthians
8:2-3 (nkjv)
Sometimes
we think that we know what is best for us. Like Julie, we tend to do with out
rather than bother someone, even if it is God, with our needs. Everyone has someone
who is an ever-present help, and always eager to listen to our hearts cry.
Jesus is waiting to listen to you today. Have you really opened up to Him
lately?
Sure,
He knows your heart, but He is waiting to hear you admit that you need help.
"The Lord knows those who are
His," 2 Tim 2:19 (nkjv)
Maybe
you are a silent server, someone who does not speak out for Christ, but He
knows your heart. Take time today to listen to His leading, maybe someone out
there in your world, where you work or play, needs an extra blessing today? If
not you, then who? You may be the only connection to God this person will ever
have, and it may be time for you to speak up, or to spread His love by lending
an ear to someone’s hearts cries.
This week I want us to listen to His
voice, to take time to know if someone out there needs us to help them in
someway. Maybe it will be a simple note
to say, “I am praying for you”. Or maybe it will be a load of groceries slipped
on a doorstep. There are so many around us in need, but they are specific needs
for each person. Let’s pay attention to those around us and see if even in our
own need that we can find someone whom we can bless.
I have been hearing so many wonderful,
good deeds lately, and perhaps that is why I was thinking on God’s goodness
this morning.
4
"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and
after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him
who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I
tell you, fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one
of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all
numbered. Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:4-9(niv)
Suggested Readings for this
week;
Monday: 1 Timothy 1:1-17
Tuesday: Psalm 62
Wednesday: John 12:27-50
Thursday: Galatians 5:16-6:10
Friday: Hebrews 4:1-13
Weekend readings: Psalms 127-131 (all of each
one they are really short).
***If
for any reason you choose ever not to receive this devotion again please
remember that all it takes is replying with a "Please remove me from this
list." I do ask that if there is a problem with anything I write for you
to feel free to write me back and let me know what the problem was, that we
might go over it together and seek the truth in love.
In His
love,
Teresa
M. Wilson
8
"I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also
acknowledge him before the angels of God.
(from
New International Version)