“Then it happened.” When you read that in scripture don’t you expect to have an epiphany? Some grand bright light experience? I can’t promise that always but sometimes it can happen in a flash.
Honestly I have kind of struggled today. All I asked God for was for God Speed today. LORD, I only have @ 3-4 hours to get a bunch done today so can you make this affirmation today go quickly or at least apply your God speed to my to do list so that when I get to it I will get it done quickly? Wow, pretty selfish of me to squeeze God into my life. But that’s what I asked for nonetheless.
Of course, 45 minutes later I had read through three chapters in Luke searching for what God wanted to say through me today. Really, I was struggling to follow some of Luke’s statements and thought that I was struggling to understand. But here are things that stood out to me this morning as affirmations:
Luke 16:15: God knows my heart.I have to tell you that this one actually was highlighted to me and seemed to be illuminated above all other words. It just didn’t feel like today’s affirmation.
Luke 17:5: Lord increase my faith.This was a neat story in Luke 17 I had forgotten. These were the words of the Disciples who turned to Jesus and said: “Increase our faith.” There now, I didn’t feel so bad for not following Jesus’ logic this morning; maybe the disciples were feeling the same thing.
Luke 17:21: The kingdom of God is within me. God in Mark you told us the kingdom of God is like a man spreading seeds where then things happen he doesn’t understand. So you want me to just spread the seeds of my heart, right?
Luke 18:1: I pray always. This first verse in chapter 18 says it plainly “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,”
Luke 18:7: I cry out day and night to Him. Here we are told in a parable to cry out our prayer requests day and night and he will avenge us.
Luke 18:13: God, be merciful to me a sinner! It just feels so freeing to confess and lay all before the LORD.
Luke 18:38: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! The blind man was calling out to Jesus.
The interesting point of this journey above was that in Luke 18:35 it states: Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. (NKJ) Ok, so I am the one struggling with the inflection on THEN IT HAPPENED, was I looking for too much? Maybe Luke is just saying it just so happened that… what do you think about what happened next?… Some words in this next section have haunted me for the past couple of years in what Jesus said to the blind man:
“What do you want Me to do for you?” If Jesus turns to me because I keep praying and crying out to Him day and night, how would I respond to this question from Jesus? How would you? WHAT DO YOU WANT JESUS TO DO FOR YOU? Jesus knew this was a blind man, yes He knew His heart. Was Jesus asking for his own benefit or for the blind man to really understand what he was asking for?
Lord, Jesus here we are at New Year’s resolution time and You know my heart. Help me dear Lord to know Your heart. Lord please increase my faith. I know Your kingdom is within me all I want to do is serve You and Your kingdom. I am crying out now for you to help me know what it is I want you to do for me. I promise to slow down and pray and seek Your will so I know in my heart what it is I want you to do for me. I want to be clear and know what it is I desire. So I wanted to choose an affirmation for the day and I went with: Lord increase my faith. BUT, that’s not really a positive affirmation stated in the positive. How about, The LORD increases my faith. THEN IT HAPPENED, that’s it, it’s not about me increasing my faith at all but Him increasing my faith. I can’t do it but He can and He will. No bright lights just a gentle reminder that He will increase our faith and He knows our hearts. What does your heart say you want from Jesus? Is that all you seek? Ok God, you know my heart and all I need to get done; can you help with those things too?
Tom Raines
Christian Affirmations 4 Life
Right now Tom I need a big increase…not of money (although….) but of faith. Your post states my thoughts at this time.
As His apostles let’s just keep asking for Him to increase our faith. Day and night. LORD please increase our faith! Thanks Bill, have a blessed day! I think I am heading to the woods for a few days and will spend a lot of time seeking Him. God bless you my friend!
Tom,
You’re killing me here. But in a good way.
I don’t know how you have stumbled upon such relevant issues, but lately your blog postings have pierced me like arrows. I reckon it is The Spirit using you to put some reality back into our lives of what it really means to follow after Christ. Unlike Sunday School lessons, the really real world is tainted with who we once were, seemingly in a never-ending battle with who we have become in Jesus.
Have a great time in the woods. I am envious of you. There is something sacred about the quiet stillness of nature as you stand in the aegis of God.
Thank you Donald, God’s Spirit is piercing isn’t it? I am so thankful to know that He is touching you as He is me. Peace.
This is relevant to me also Tom. My one-little-word for 2011 is believe.
This is my first insight into that word and it encourages me…God will bring the increase of faith that I need.
Thank you as always my dear friend.
Robin
Thanks Robin for you inspiration for the one little word and writing a celebration letter. May God guide us daily with His word and may His words become ours. Blessings to you my friend.