Persistent Asking

It Shall Be Given!!

And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed, I cannot rise and give thee.  I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity (persistent asking; my add-on) he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. (Luke 11:5-10)

Reading over these verses, I saw something that I had never seen before. I can remember times back when I would read these verses and not fully understand what I've read. And in those moments, I ask the Holy Spirit for His help. Just a few days ago, I received that help. The scales began to fall when my Pastor was going over the eleventh chapter of Luke. Something in these verses stuck out at me. I decided to do some extra studying. And that's when I realized the power of the message that was revealed.

God wants us to be persistent in our asking of things from Him. There is a scripture in the book of Matthew that says to ask and we shall receive. In my own life, I recall various situations that I had asked of things from God and received them. But I had to keep asking. I had to keep praying. They didn't just come from one time of asking. Grant it be, I'm not saying here that you just go to God because of something you desire to get and it's your way to receive it. Notice, in the verses above, Jesus said that "if a friend" comes to you. This means that a relationship has been established here. You have to have an relationship with God in order to receive from Him.

God knows of everything we need before we even ask. And guess what?...... He desires to give those things to us. There are some things that we need or desire that will require of us to do a little more than hold our hand out and expect to receive. We are going to have to ask while being peristent in our asking. And in due time, what we have asked for will be ours. It's all done by the grace and mercy and love of God.

When I prayed to God to show me what should be my first priority, it came from months of asking. Possibly years. I want to please Him in every way. What He revealed to me was the building of my house. Honoring my husband, taking care of my children, watching over my home.....all these things is what I asked Him for. For me to be able to carry this out requires me to still be persistent in asking. And that's the beauty of knowing such an awesome God. He delights in the prayers of His children.

Do you have something that you desire? Ask God! Be persistent about it and make sure you are wanting it for all the right reasons. It shall be given. Blessings.


~ Erica

A Measure of Faith

I'm humbled by the opportunity that has been given me to write after such a long time away. The time that I have been gone was time much needed to reflect, prioritize, pray and pray some more. When it comes to the progress of my home building, I believe that we are well on our way. The privilege God has given to be able to come to the throne of grace and let my requests be made known is one that I hold dear to my heart (Hebrews 4:6). So shall I let you in?

The word of God says that God has dealt to every man a measure of faith. That includes me. And the reason for that measure of faith is so that He can carry out His will and purpose in our lives. The book of Hebrews states that without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). You cannot call yourself a believer of God and have no faith. The two are contrary to each other. But when joined together, they are a mighty force in our lives. Or should I say my life? Over the course of days, I've realized a lot of things: 1. Faith in God is what allows me to carry out the works of God. 2. I am powerless without faith. 3. I have everything I need in God alone through faith. I do not feel led to go any further than that. But I close on this note that now works must follow my faith (James 2:26). I must do the things necessary and make the necessary sacrifices to show my family that I love them. Most importantly, God loves them more. I know the steps that I've made since my last post are stepping stones to victory in Christ Jesus. Blessings.

So as the body without the spirit is dead, 

so faith without works is dead also.

(James 2:26)

Seeing the Changes

Goodmorning, Everyone! I know it's been a while since I posted. In fact, I've tried several times to upload a post from my computer, in which all failed because I would fall asleep. I figured that it wasn't meant for me to post, so I didn't push it.

Today is different though, I'm not on my computer, however, I'm posting from my phone. I just wanted to share the progress of my home building. I believe God has allowed peace to come into our home. And that makes me so happy. In my studies, I find that He's been dealing with me personally about my body being the temple He created it to be for Him to dwell in. It seems that over a period of time I have allowed some toxins to come in and pollute my temple. The one reason for this cause has been that I've been walking by sight and not by faith. I've been allowing what I've seen with my eyes to be my driving force. All the while, it hasn't taken me anywhere, but has caused me to stand still. Thank God for change.

This morning in my studies, I read about Nathanael's encounter with Jesus. Jesus told Nathanael that there was no deceit in him. When Nathanael wanted to know how Jesus knew this, Jesus stated, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered and said to Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" (John 1:48, 49)

Jesus' response to Nathanael is what I really want to focus on today. He said to Nathanael that because I said these things, you  believe. He told Nathanael that he would see greater things. I found what He told Nathanael to be profound. Why? Because of what Jesus did. All He did was speak to Nathanael and it caused him to believe. It was what He said to him. My question to you is, what is Jesus saying to you?

We as sons and daughters of God should be going by the Word of God alone. Jesus said that His sheep know His voice. If that is the case, why do we have a hard time believing what He says? I realize that I don't want to live any other way than believing in God's word. God told me to build my home. That's what I'm going to do. I believe what He says.

~Erica

"You Have Tightened Up Big Time"

Words from the Hubby

Do you ever enjoy taking walks and talking with the one you love? What if on this walk you were told something that you weren't even expecting? It could be either good news or bad news to your ears. That was the case with me today. The news, however, was good news to my ears. Of course, I heard everything else my husband had to say. But when he spoke these words, they made me feel encouraged about myself.

This morning when my husband and I went for a walk, he told me that he had to admit that I had tightened up big time when it comes to the children. I owe it all to God. Had he not have lead me to take a few days away from the blog, I might not have been hearing those words. I know for sure that it was nothing that had done physically for that matter. I don't want to take any credit for God's work. To Him be the glory.

I've been looking at my family a lot lately. Gluing my eyes to their faces whenever I can to let them know that I'm interested in what they say. I'm truly taking this one day at a time. I want doing good to my family to become the lifestyle that I live. I want to really follow in the steps of my big brother, Jesus. I mean, I had a time in my life where I couldn't wait to get a break from my children. But for a long time, that changed. Now, though, I don't want to leave them. I want to be at home when they're home.

Our 3rd year wedding anniversary is coming up next week. And all I've been thinking about is what special thing am I going to do for my husband. It really does feel good to think about someone else other than myself. I want the day to be special for him. My daughter's birthday is the day before that. Shatorria will be 10 years old. What will I do for her? I have class both nights. Not only that, it's the end of our mod. Then, we go on our Spring Break. A week out of school is much needed right now. I can't wait. Well, I'm much at a loss for words right now. I'm thinking I'll post again in a few more days, Lord willing. Until then........Blessings!

The Time of Bonding

Bridging the Gap



How well do you conversate with your children? Not to say that all of you have children. But for those who do.....how is your communication level with your children? Do you talk to your children as if they are beneath you? Or do you talk to your children as if they really mean a great deal to you? As if in your voice they could hear all the love in the world.

I recall a time where I used to say to my children, "I'm not your friend, I'm your mother".
Although I haven't said it lately, just thinking about bonding with my children triggered the memory of those words. We must be careful that we do not allow satan to rob us of our most precious bonding moments. The ones we have with our children. I believe that I have been so busy trying to be "Mom" that I've missed the part that is supposed to bond. I've learned that being a mom isn't just about enforcing rules and making sure that your children follow them. It's also about letting them know by showing them that you love and care for them. Children liked to be talked to. They like for someone to listen. They, just like us, want to know that they can have someone that they can confide in. Does this take away from being their parent? Absolutely not. It makes the parenting role even better. That's where the nurturing comes in.

I for one, have missed this with my own children. From experience, I know that my children don't feel confident that they can come and tell me anything. It's almost as if there seems to be a lack of trust between us. An invisible wall serving as a barrier to their hearts. I, for one, am on the other side dying to know what's within. It's gotten so bad to where my most sincere moments are looked upon with suspicion. I then become classified as pretending or being fake. It's my own fault, I know. Thank God for change.

I see that I really have a lot of work ahead of me. I am going to have to really push myself. And when I say that, I mean I'm going to have to be hard on myself. I have to bridge the gap. I want to truly bond with my children. I want to build friendships with them. I want the mother-son-daughter bond. As I cultivate my own relationship with God, I see that the time I spend with Him is precious to me. I want the time with my children to be the same.

I've purchased journals to begin writing letters to them. This will only be where I start. It will not be where I end. Everyday, I'm going to set out to make my children feel special to where they won't have to look for that specialness anywhere else. This, however, will not stop my role as their parent. I will not be without the rod of correction when it is needed. It only means that I will do it in a loving manner that says to them that it's all out of love. Better days are ahead of us. I plan to be away a few days as I need to sit before my Father. His face is so precious to me. So are those of my family. It is only imperative that I go to my Source to draw out the very nutrients I need to be able to nourish the fruit of the garden that I am responsible to keep. My heart and home.

 

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:

and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

(Psalm 127:3)