by Bobbie Frazier @b2frazier
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 NKJ
Jesus tells us: seek God, pursue Him! Don’t give up but continue to ask Him for what we need to be His vessel. “How can You use me today Jesus?” is a question I try to ask daily. Sometimes at the end of the day I look back to see what has been accomplished; line items may not have been crossed off my list, but He has used me in ways I would not have sought after on my own.
Jesus tells us we must consistently pursue God. Be consistent but not robotic. How do we do that?
So many times, our mind is spilling over with to do lists even before we get out of bed in the morning. How can we consistently pursue God and still accomplish what is needed?
Ask Him for the time to spend with Him, and He will give it to you.
When I first did that, I had to be at work at 5:00 every morning. So, God woke me at 3:30. I studied His Word, I prayed, and my ritual for getting ready for the day began. At first I didn’t realize it was God giving me this chance of time with Him—I was proud of myself for waking up. Since I couldn’t go back to sleep, I would think: well I might as well do my devotions and spend time with God.
It was almost a slap in the face one morning, when I realized that even though I was up that early, I was not any more tired at night. I was able to finish my day alert and productive. God gave me the time to spend with Him, but didn’t take away anything else. WOW! God did that for me?
Now I work from home. I can study His Word and spend time in prayer at all times of the day. BUT that time can still get away from me; my lists are long, and my strength is not what it used to be.
But after spending time with God, I will have all the strength I need for what He calls me to do. My strength is not my own—it comes from spending time in His presence. Jesus told His disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” John 15:1-5 ESV.
Over the years, I’ve come to look at exercising, waiting in line, sitting in a Dr. office, or being on hold as opportunities to be in His presence. So many things give me time to pray, to praise, to ask, and to serve. WOW—look at how much time we have to work on our relationship with Jesus! Don’t be frustrated by feeling like you are wasting that time. Be thankful for the time God has given you to worship Him.
Let’s be consistent with putting God first in all we do, asking for time to spend with Him, and He will arrange it. We must be obedient to the calling. When we find stability in who God is in our life, the consistency of spending time with Him will become a desire of our heart.
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. Psalm 125:1 NKJ
About the author: Bobbie and her husband Tom have a family of five children and ten grandchildren. She is co-founder of Prayer Pocket Ministries and has a passion for prayer along with talking and writing about Jesus. Bobbie is the author of the children’s book – Dalton Discovers the Ten Commandments, which can purchased from her website or on Amazon.
Join the conversation: How do you manage to spend time with the Lord with your busy schedule?
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