Jesus Calling: February 22
You need Me every moment. Your awareness of your constant need for Me is your greatest strength. Your neediness, properly handled, is a link to My Presence. However, there are pitfalls that you must be on guard against: self-pity, self-preoccupation, giving up. Your inadequacy presents you with a continual choice--deep dependence on Me, or despair. The emptiness you feel within will be filled either with problems or with My presence. Make Me central in your consciousness by praying continually simple, short prayers flowing out of the present moment. Use My Name liberally, to remind you of My Presence. Keep on asking and you will receive, so that your gladness may be full and complete.
RELATED SCRIPTURE:
1st Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)
17 Never stop praying.
Additional insight regarding 1st Thessalonians 5:17: We cannot spend all our time on our knees, but it is possible to have a prayerful attitude at all times. This attitude is built upon acknowledging our dependence on God, realizing his presence within us, and determining to obey him fully. Then we will find it natural to pray frequent, spontaneous, short prayers. A prayerful attitude is not a substitute for regular times of prayer but should be an outgrowth of those times.
Have you ever grown tired of praying for something or someone? Paul said that believers should never stop praying. A Christian's persistence is an expression of faith that God answers prayer. Faith shouldn't die if the answers come slowly, for the delay may be God's way of working his will. When you feel tired of praying, know that God is present, always listening, always answering - in ways that he knows are best.
John 16:24
24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
Additional insight regarding John 16:24: Jesus is talking about a new relationship between the believer and God. Previously, people approached God through priests. After Jesus' resurrection, any believer could approach God directly. We approach God, not because of our own merit, but because Jesus, our great High Priest, has made us acceptable to God.
Hallelujah to the word of God. What an awesome reminder of who God is in our lives and we need him. God has been so good to me and my family through all the good, the bad, and ugly. If had not been for our faith and trust in Him we would have been lost. But God stepped in with his mercy and grace gave us peace that no one could comprehend. Thank you Jesus for your love.
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