This morning as I had just finished praying with my husband, over a matter of God's provision, this 'word' came to me.
I felt the Lord impressing on me, an image of him standing behind a closed door, longing to come through, longing to comfort, heal and help, but he was hindered. He knew about the impending 'need', long before we did. He was waiting expectantly, but when it happened, he couldn't get through...and why???
He couldn't come through, because the door of our hearts was not opened in prayer, to invite him in, to recieve from him. The scriptures tell us:
'I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you.' Luke 11: 19
In the East - "The oriental house was fitted with heavy doors which were bolted and locked with wooden keys too large to be carried about, so that even a member of the household could not secure entrance until in response to his knock or call the door should be opened by someone within. At night the delay would be increased by the difficulty of arousing the inmates sleeping within the inner chambers. To persons familiar with such experiences, the words of Jesus concerning a higher entrance, "Knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matthew 7:7 and Luke 12:36) would have a unique force not easy for us to appreciate." (Russell Benjamin Miller)
Are you asleep or awake to supernatural provision? Are you going through this life, walking in your 'flesh', relying on self to provide all things and solve all your problems? Well thats what you are doing as a christian, if you don't run to God in prayer..you are trying to do it all yourself. You tie the hands of God, you keep the door closed on him...you depreive yourself of a blessing.
Its so vital that we include and call upon God in all matters of our life, and especially seek him first when we get 'bad news'...of a financial woe etc. Too often christians do everything else but seek God when a crisis comes. They phone a friend, they let themselves carry the burden, become sullen and depression creeps in. Instead, throw off the shackle, don't give the enemy a foothold, don't let the 'care' penetrate through the peace and joy that surrounds you. Act and believe that your problem is actually only a little thing, not an mountain to be climbed. It's a speck of dust in the hands of the amighty, our majestic Lord and provider. He hungers for our love, he seeks and desires an expectant heart..he has plans to prosper us and not to harm us. (Jeremiah 29:11)
I know and believe it saddens the Father if we don't trust in him, if we don't run to him first with our cares and worries.
I always say to people, just keep on doing the work he has provided for you, keep being a good steward with your finances, no matter how little you have, there will be something you can share with others. Have an expectant and trusting heart that God is always with you and will provide for you. See your won attitude and outlook change and wait for the peace to flood in :)
Be blessed and be a blessings -
Linda - Follower of the Way
