2 weeks Ago By Catherine Galasso Vigorito
A while ago, I heard a legend about a wise king who supplied the people of his village with everything that they needed. There were storehouses of vast supplies in the village that could be given to the people at their very request. All the villagers had to do was ask, and their petition would be granted.
However, the king had one stipulation. The villagers had to be on the lookout. They needed to be watchful, expectantly waiting and ready to receive what they requested.
In the same way the villagers needed to be prepared, we too, need to be watchful, expectantly waiting and ready to receive God-given opportunities and joys that await. In your mind’s eye, visualize yourself surrounded by exactly the things you desire. In every direction, picture the blessings that you seek coming to you.
And ask God for them. Ask with faith, believing you will receive them. For her birthday, my daughter wanted wooden Russian nesting dolls for a gift.
The brightly painted dolls are made in such a way that they can be taken apart to reveal smaller dolls fitting within one another compactly. Every nesting doll is smaller than the previous one. Therefore, you’re surprised as you find additional dolls.
Likewise, God is going to surprise you. He hasn’t taken you this far to abandon you now. And each surprise will be better than the last.
God has a purpose for you. So why are you getting upset over circumstances in your past or situations that are taking longer to happen than they should? There’s something that is bigger than you think in your future. And so, this week, be on the lookout.
For, soon, you are going tosee God’s favor come to pass. You could be discouraged because of an unfair situation. God is guiding and protecting you.
Keep doing what’s right in the Lord’s sight, as God has handfuls of blessings ahead. For, “God holds success in store for the upright; He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless.” (Proverbs 2:7) A door may have closed.
Pray and look to God for what can be, as He has something better on the way. There is a new beginning in front of you. As, “God will bestow on you a crown of beauty, instead of ashes.
” (Isaiah 61:3) Circumstances might be giving you cause to worry. However, God is with you always. He watches over you and holds you in His hands.
So thank God that He is directing your steps, thus, “there is no need to be anxious about anything.” (Philippians 4:6) Perhaps, you’re feeling weak. Stay hopeful; stay positive.
God is renewing your strength like the eagle. For, “Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) Or maybe someone has upset you.
Leave the hurts behind and move onward. Don’t let anything get you off course, knowing that, “You are more than a conqueror through Him that loves you.” (Romans 8:37) In the Old Testament, I read about the prophet Elijah.
They were in the middle of a huge drought, and Elijah went to the top of Mount Carmel to pray for rain. Previously, the Lord had told Elijah that rain would come to the land (1 Kings 18:1). So, Elijah dropped to his knees and prayed persistently and actively, expecting God’s promise to transpire.
As he was praying, Elijah told his servant, “to look toward the sea” for a sign of rain. The servant went up and looked. He said, “There is nothing.
” There were no clouds in sight. Elijah, empowered by his unwavering faith, spoke to his servant, “Go again!” Yet, the servant came back uttering, “There is nothing.” During this time of challenge, it would have been easy for Elijah to lose his patience, get sidetracked and think, “If it were going to materialize, it would have already happened.
” Then, Elijah could have become so disheartened that he would have stopped his pursuit. However, there were no “giving up” thoughts on Elijah’s mind. Keeping on, Elijah understood that if you want to see results and receive a victorious breakthrough, you have to be willing to put action to your faith.
He looked beyond the present moment and let his faith guide him onward. Elijah also declared there would be rain, before there were any signs of it. For to receive from God, you must believe, speak and act as though your prayer is answered, even before you see the answer manifested.
After six negative reports of no rain, Elijah still didn’t give up. He was still on the lookout for the favor of God, believing that the rains were forthcoming. Perhaps, Elijah knew that when the outpouring of success is the closest, that is when difficulties may come upon you the most.
So, Elijah continued confidently praying, waiting, and expecting. He kept sending his servant to look to the sea, for Scripture tells us, “Seven times Elijah said, ‘Go again.’ ” Nevertheless, therewas no rain.
Thereafter, miraculously, the servant saw a little something. The Bible says, “Then it came to pass the seventh time that he (the servant) said, ‘There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand,rising out of the sea!’ ” (1 Kings 18:43-44). The sky became dark with clouds, and there was rain.
In His time, God poured out His blessings upon the land. Elijah’s prayers and his persistence had prevailed, and the answer had come. And what God has been able to do in the past, He can still do today.
I read about a Marine who was running a 5K race. As the Marine was nearing the finish line, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a young boy who had fallen back in the race. Not wanting to leave the boy behind, the Marine went back and ran beside the struggling boy and encouraged him onward.
Before long, the Marine and the boy crossed the finish line together. Similarly, God wants to encourage and reassure you that “everything is going to be all right.” God is preparing you right now for the amazing experiences, joys and opportunities yet to come.
Hence, look up! And as the Marine guided the boy, God is with you and is leading you to victory!.
