Sunday, January 1, 2012

BIBLE PICK 'EMS - Happy New Year!

A new year.

I can hardly believe that it's already 2012.

Remember when everyone was freaked out that the world was going to stop when it turned midnight on December 31, 1999? A new year, a new century, a new millennium was looming. All the computers would blow up, there would be massive black-outs, a technological Armageddon was supposed to occur.

Well, it didn't.

And now it is TWELVE years later.

Sometimes I feel like a modern-day Rip Van Winkle. Did I sleep away the last 20 years? That must be it – there is no other explanation for the fact that I am closing in on 60 years old(thank goodness for smaller fonts!)

So, as I write these words, I am ending another year in my life. I am reflective. I ponder the last months. I think about the many things that have happened. There has been some wonderful stuff, for sure. But overall, it's been a year of challenge.

Truthfully? I'm entering 2012 a bit frayed around the edges – a little down, a little anxious, a little weary.

I hope I make it to midnight – so I can stick my head out the front door and mumble, "Happy New Year!" (Will "The Hub" make it so I can at least kiss him?? To be determined…)

So, I have done today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" with a desperate need for a word from the Lord. A timely word, an apropos word, a word that speaks to my need. A word that ushers in a new year with hope.

God does not disappoint.

Here are His words:

"And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened…how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him."
(Luke 11:9-10, 13)

Hmmm.

I ask myself my year-end questions in view of this passage.

What am I asking for?

What am I seeking?

What doors am I knocking on?

It's difficult sometimes to get this straight in my mind. It's harder to get it straight in my heart.

Because there were many things I asked for in 2011 that did NOT happen. Many questions that I was seeking answers for, that were NOT found. Quite a few doors that I knocked on that were NOT opened.

So, what do I do with that?

I will not question the Word of God – especially when the words are written in RED! Jesus speaks – I will listen!

Therefore, I must question my questions, I think.

It's all a matter of perspective.

Am I not receiving things that I ask for because I'm asking for the wrong things? Or am I asking for them in the wrong way?

Are my questions not being answered because I want a certain answer? In a certain way? At a certain time? (Read: my answer, my way, my time)

Are the doors I'm knocking on not being opened because they are doors of my own choosing? Am I leaning on my own understanding for direction and guidance?

Is God really and truly answering my prayers – but I'm just not recognizing it?

Hmmm…

I believe that there is a clue here in these verses.

And it has nothing to do with the end results. It isn't about the things, the answers, the doors.

It's all about the asking, the seeking, and the knocking.

You see, God is making something happen to me in the process. Persistence overcomes MY insensitivity, not God's.

He is changing my heart and mind. I am not changing His.

He is all about my relationship to Him. So my persistent, bold prayers help me understand and express the intensity of my need. They make me focus on the bottom line of my need. My need for Him – alone. For Him – only.

There's another very important element at the end of today's "Bible Pick 'Ems."

What does God want to give us?

Good things – yes. Answers – sometimes. Open doors – often.

But what does He really want to give us?

Actually, He has already given it to us – the Holy Spirit.

The Lord wants us to be more and more filled with Him. He wants us to let Him live through us. He desires a closer relationship with us. He wants disciples that resemble and reflect His Son.

Change the perspective of those verses – and it changes everything.

Ask for more of the Holy Spirit…and you will receive Him.

Seek the Lord with all of your heart, your mind, your soul, and your strength…and you will find Him.

Knock on the door of His presence…and you will find the Kingdom thrown wide open.

Lord, as I enter a new year, may I look at You in a different way. May my asking and my seeking and my knocking be directed to You – alone. You – only.

And as I draw close to You – draw close to me.


Happy New Year, Lord.


Where are you asking, seeking, knocking as you enter the new year?


(SIDENOTE: Please see the post directly below this one - Housekeeping for 2012 - it tells about the new features on my blog! Thanks!)

Linked today with Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS!


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

11 comments:

  1. Loved this Sharon! (BTW, did hubby make it to midnight to give you a kiss? We were in bed a little after ten last night, LOL, old timers we are!)

    I like your word "hope". I like how you thought about asking, seeking, doors being opened. It does put so much into perspective, doesn't it, as one looks back on the last year and into the new year. It is an interesting journey we are on in our lives, I'm so glad God is faithful to lead us where he wants us if we allow him to do so.

    I hope it is a good year for you and yours, Sharon!

    I'm off to read your housekeeping post. I've done a bit housecleaning myself; started a new blog, going to retire the corgi one. Still technically on a break (so much to do here) but look forward to reading you as I can in this new year!

    betty

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  2. Hi Sharon! You sound like me...I sit here and wonder where the time went! It gets dangerous (for me) to look back too much as I get way too sentimental! But the good news is our hope with Christ! You are right. When we change our perspective it makes all the difference! I will keep asking, seeking and knocking and I know I will be filled even more with Him. Blessings and Happy New Year!

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  3. We woke to a snow storm on this beautiful New Years Day...no church for us, but blessed by friends I've made through blogging. This post is beautiful. Looking forward to growing closer to my Savior as I read here each day. And I'm going to ponder what am I seeking, what doors I am knocking on...great questions to start the New Year. Happy New Year to you, Sharon!

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  4. What a great worthy list you've posted below. Both the authors and the special additions to your blog. I'll be watching, especially as some of them are favorites of mine too!.

    Yep... what do we do when we think we haven't had some prayers answered, and maybe God seems distant? More than ever... we STAND! Stand on what His psromises are to me, and what His Word says. Sometimes, as you say, IN the persistence, new things are birthed in our own hearts, as we continue to hold on to what we already know, and trust despite what we feel.

    Your blog always encourages and speaks to these truths, and in the doing, the speaker also gets tested, and sometimes stretched. :)

    Keep em coming Sharon, you are a huge blessing!

    Happy New Year my friend!

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  5. Sharon - I was reading earlier in 1 Samuel about Hannah. She was persistent in her prayers and in His time, God answered.

    I too find myself wondering what happened to 2011 (as well as the last ten or so years. Praying that 2012 is one filled with a deeper knowledge of God's grace.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  6. Yes, God is all I need. The best thought I need at the entrance of a new year. Regardless of circumstances, if I have Him, I am blessed.

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  7. I know exactly what you mean - where did the time go - we were just worrying about the computer and now it is 2012 - yet when we are in our troubles -time moves so slow. sandie

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  8. Great thoughts! It's in the persistence that we are spending time with Him and getting to know Him better. I like the way you shared what God showed you through this passage. He is faithful to speak!
    Blessings.

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  9. Sharon - as always I find myself so QUICKENED by your words!

    My favorite part: "He is changing my heart and mind. I am not changing His"

    Oh YES! How easy it is to fall into the attitude of trying to gain the attention of a disinterested God, to convince Him to act, or to answer. Of course we KNOW that's not the case, but how easy it is to FEEL that way when we don't see or hear the answers we are looking for!

    I am praying for you this morning - that 2012 will be the year you never forget - a year of release and assurance.

    I love you. I may never meet you face to face - but you are an indescribable blessing and encouragement to me. And I can't help but thank God for you.

    Paula

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  10. It is so true. Seems like the turn of the century was just yesterday. Seems like just a few days ago I was young and now I am old. How did that happen? I like your definition of blog. I'm glad you share your insight with us each week.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)