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Listen while you read: "Count Your Blessings"1 (Lyrics) |
My advancing years have prompted me to ask a lot. I ask fellow walkers to get me across the street safely by letting me know when the light turns to the "Walk" signal. In the grocery store, I ask helping hands to reach items or to look at the date on the milk bag. Sometimes, I have been asked what else that I might need help with. At times, we get laughing about how things can go for an older person. Once, I explained, "I am visually impaired." The person who heard it said to someone else, "I am not visually impaired, but in some other ways, yes!" I prayed that it was a cry asking for help.
To someone who helps me, I might say, "See you again!" or "You are a godsend!" and always "God bless you!" I really enjoy my shopping, and I actually anticipate meeting people, thanking God for my helpers' good deeds.
Years ago on a particularly distressing, pivotal day, I was prompted to look at my old Bible. Opening it, I read about asking God — just what I needed in my despair!
Matthew 7:7-8 – Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. (NRSV)
In what had seemed like a desperate situation, I was given a profound lift of hope for the future. This promise that our joy may be complete by asking in Jesus' name has remained since then as a reminder that in other situations on the journey, asking God is the best source for answers, be it in unemployment, sickness, relationships, children, loss of a loved one, or whatever the name of despair!
Reading the Bible is a source of keys that open the door for us to walk through.
John 14:13-14 – I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. (NRSV)
I have learned that God answers with "No", "Yes", and "Wait". Whichever it is, it is always timely and the best answer.
There is complete joy in God's answers, and so in that assurance, we can move on with a heart filled with gratitude and joy.
Psalm 121:1-2 – I lift up my eyes to the hills — from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (NRSV)
Prayer: Our heavenly Father, thank You for those who help us each day in so many ways. Thank You for the name of Jesus, through whom we can come before You. Our joy is complete in such blessings! In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen!
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Amen.
Great advice, Kristi, God bless!
Thanks, Kirsti, for the good word.
Thanks for an inspiring word today Kirsti.
Blessings.
Thanks for your lovely message. Asking is a good thing.
It does seem to bring you joy and also brings you closer to others and God.
Wow! Thank you Kirsti for such wonderful faith and trust. Just what I need right now. So timely. God bless you for not quitting or giving up!
Dear Kirsti, You are a blessing to all the ones who help to assist you!! Thank you for your warm, encouraging devotional and for magnifying our wonderful God and Savior.
Good one Kristi, and know too, that often when someone is helped by another, the person who does the helping is just as thankful to be of help as is the person who asked for help.
Thank you, Kirsti, for sharing your experiences with us. I can truly relate. As I age, things that never were a challenge are now. I’ve also got vision and physical challenges, but God is always good to provide just what is needed in a timely fashion. Blessings.
Dear Kirsti,
I too am aging and needing to ask for help nowadays. There are many people who don’t mind giving an assist now and then. Thank you for writing with the reminder that we ask God for help, giving glory to the Father, through the Son.
Hello Kirsti,
Thank you for submitting today’s devotional. Yes, the Lord’s answers to our prayers are always the right ones even if we don’t think so at the time. He is truly an awesome God.
Blessings to you,
(B.C.)
Dear Kirsti,
God bless you! I am always encouraged when you share with us through the Daily PresbyCan Devotional.
I loved this statement and reminder, “There is complete joy in God’s answers, and so in that assurance, we can move on with a heart filled with gratitude and joy.”
“Casting all our cares upon Him, for He cares for us”!
Hi Kirsti
I enjoyed this devotional today and love the Psalms 121 v 1 and 2 because where we are I can see Mt. Topo and I always think of this verse and enjoy with amazement the view I have. We are in the Azores and lots of hills but this one especially is my favorite.
God bless.
Dear Kirsti:
It is good to hear from you again. Thank you for this wonderful devotional.
It seems the only times we ask for help now is when we are very young and when we are older. The in-betweens should understand this. Even though we are taught to do things for ourselves, this is not always possible. I truly wish I had understood this when I was younger. I, like you, really appreciate the people who are there when I ask now and I love to say “God bless you” to them, especially the perfect strangers that I meet.
So, God bless you Kirsti.
Well much and all as I enjoy your writings I have a problem with Matthew 7:7-8
I had a sister with strong faith. She died several years ago. She had prayed so hard and asked many others to pray for her that she just live one more month to see the birth of her granddaughter but my sister just knew she was not going to make it. She had said to me that she asked and asked and Matthew 7:7-8 says we just have to ask but was not getting an answer. I told her she did get an answer. I said to her sorry, but the answer was no.
So, I still have trouble understanding those verses, we try but it is difficult.
(ON)
Thank you for your devotional on Asking. I too must ask, alot, and am reassured by God’s promises that he will provide for our needs.
Bless you.