All Things

SCRIPTURE:

OBSERVATION:

I recall my “audition” for the Frontlines Ministy at New Hope.  It was definitely not the type of audition I was used to doing.  You see Mr. Bright asked me to come in to play for some guy named Steve, cause while he was comfortable with my level of skill and commitment, Steve wanted everyone to go through the process.  Being the “young gun know it all” I was at the time I said bring it on, and that’s when it got a little different than what I was used to. Yes, Steve had me sight read a chart, but the bulk of the audition was Steve asking me why I felt called to serve.  He asked me about ambitions I might have in music, what my dream was when I started college as a music major, where I saw myself in 10 years, and at the end of it all he handed me back my information form with all the scoring columns blank and a bible verse scribbled across the entire page, MATTHEW 6:33.  And since that time, Pastor Steve Kenny’s encouragement has become a life verse, an anchor in the storm, a go to when all seems to be out of control.

Now I’d love to say that since that moment 20+ years ago everything went well as every decision was run through the Father’s eyes and heart and spoken through His voice and done with His hands .  But that wasn’t the case.  Instead it’s been EKG looking chart of ups and downs, with each and every “up” being attributed solely to the grace of God and my obedience to seek Him first. 

APPLICATION:

As I continue to seek Him and His righteousness He PROMISES to PROVIDE.  And for me it takes 3 steps:

1. Have a clear and realistic understanding of what His provision means, what are the “things that will be given”.  When God says He will provide, He WILL PROVIDE.  It doesn’t mean I’ll always get my way, or that the desired outcome will be reached.  His provision means that I’m cared for not coddled, kept safe not spoiled.
2. Seek Him in not only the big things, but the not so big things.  He wants all of my heart, not just the part of me that is unsure of what to do.  He want’s my heart when I’m confident and cocky as much as when I’m weak and whiny, even more so on the former. A total reliance on Him and His power means He has it all.
3. Be diligent to know His voice.  That only comes through time with Him, complete devotion to Him and discipline to cut the chatter in my head to lock in onto what He is saying.

We have the potential to change the world if we only release our fears and our confidence to the One who promises to “give all things to those who seek Him,” and a gift of “all things” from the Father far outdoes any idea of success we can imagine or dream of. 

PRAYER: