I've had to learn that prayer is a request submitted to God. I've prayed for many things over the years, some granted, some not. The lesson I had to learn is that even when I ask, seek, and knock, God has the final say according to His will. Matthew 7:7-8 says, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
In the past I didn't realize that whatever I requested, in some cases demanded, God had the final say. Prayer for me was to tell God what I wanted, then go and make it happen. Looking back, I thank God that He didn't always allow me to have what I wanted. He always has and will have my best interest at heart.
Thank you, Daddy, for teaching me how to humbly ask, seek, knock, then await your response of yes, no, or wait.
The devotionals "Blinded By Sight: The Heart Matters" and "The Flip Side" were created out of a desire that God placed in my heart. It wasn't my prayer, it's what God deemed for me.
Some steps I have continually taken are:
Pray God’s will which can be found in His word. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him”. James 1:5
Everything that we want isn’t always what’s best for us. “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed”. James 1:6
God answers yes, no, or wait. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” Ephesians 3:20
By doing these things…over time, I’ve been learning how to incorporate Christ into every area of my life.
Below are two books that God has inspired me to write. "The Flip Side" and "Blinded By Sight: The Heart Matters" both available now.
So… what’s this book about?
“The Flip Side” depicts the possible feelings and emotions of lesser-known Biblical characters as they navigated their lives in the shadows of the more popular characters in the Bible. While the Bible gives us snippets of their stories, we are usually left in the dark about their true motives, desires, and thoughts concerning the situations they are in. However, one certainty is that despite how little we know about these characters, they were often the catalysts to pivotal moments in the main characters’ lives.
So… what’s this book about?
Join me on a journey of self-discovery. “Blinded by Sight - The Heart Matters” is a compilation of short biblical devotions. These stories are not conclusive. They are depictions of how God is revealing my heart to me.
My prayer is, Lord, make it real for me, show me your heart, show me my heart, and give me the wisdom to change what hinders my relationship with you. I am learning that my perception is my biggest obstacle it affects my mind, what I think, and how I process my experiences. What I have experienced in my mind is expressed through my feelings and these experiences dictate my choices either consciously or subconsciously.
This devotional will allow you to explore and evaluate your past and present situations that have hindered you from seeing the heart of the matter. Simply put, look at the heart – it does matter. Your future depends on it!
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalms 34:4
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