Apr 08
Today’s Truth
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
Isaiah 55:6
Friend to Friend
Four years ago we installed a new bathroom sink in our downstairs powder room. While I love the way it looks, I have not loved the way it has worked – because the water pressure has been a dreary drizzle.
I asked my husband Brad if he could fix the water pressure a few times. Let me say this: my man is awesome at a million and one things – he’s super smart and awesome around the house – but he has no plumbing experience. Being the great guy he is, he dutifully checked what he knew to check on the faucet, but had no success.
Recently, we had a plumber come to our house to install a new kitchen sink. While he worked, he and my husband chatted away. Eventually Brad casually mentioned that we had an issue with the water pressure in our downstairs powder room.
Once the kitchen sink was fully installed, the plumber asked to see the bathroom sink. Within 30 seconds he not only identified our four-year-old problem, but he fixed it!
In 30 seconds!
It was a simple filter problem. Our filter had been clogged. For four years.
Get. Out. Of. Here.
He unscrewed the tip of our faucet and rinsed out the filter, then put it back in place. Problem solved. The water flows perfectly now.
The sink is the same sink, the faucet is the same faucet, but now it works great because we finally asked the right person about our problem! The plumber knows all about sinks and he knew just what needed to be done.
Hello!
It really doesn’t take a genius to figure out where the God-connection to all of this is heading, right? We need to take our problems to the One with the answers. We need to ask God first.
I mess up on this all the time! I look to other people for help with my problems instead of first asking God. Don’t we all do this? We go to our friends, we ask our husbands, and often we ask Google! All of which can be good and valid sources for knowledge and direction. It is very easy, however, to go to the phone before we go to the throne, isn’t it? We run to people with good intentions who possess limited knowledge and subjective opinions.
If you and I are looking for answers, direction, or wisdom – we need to go to God first. God gives guidance in everything that we inquire of Him. He is the source of all wisdom, all knowledge, all understanding… all that we need.
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6)
“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” (Isaiah 55:6)
The plumber had the know-how to fix my sink. He’s a sink expert! God is all knowing and is the One we need for the answers we seek. He’s the life expert! Imagine what our lives would look like if we always asked God for help first. We could avoid so many troubles and gain great vision, clarity, and direction. It’s for a good reason that we are told to “pray continually.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, Please lead me in your wisdom, knowledge and understanding today. Direct my choices, my behaviors, and my heart. Forgive me for the times when I look to others or to myself when I should be looking to You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Who else are you calling on first? Consider why.
Read Psalm 63. Respond in prayer.
Let’s take the conversation deeper: swing by my blog or my Facebook page and tell me how today’s devotion relates to your life. Need prayer? Post a need – then pause to pray for other posts above yours. Make a public commitment by saying, “I’m seeking God first!”
More from the Girlfriends
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Gwen, what an awesome message. Thank you for sharing that. I’m gonna try to remember to ask God first about everything starting today. When I’m not sure what to do next or how to handle something, I’m gonna try really hard to just call out to God and go ahead and ask Him. :)! Thanks again!
Good Morning,
I have to say I was so excited to find this website. I have purchased the books and are reading them now. I realized how much I need them. I am a mother of 4, 3 of which are under 11. They go to our church for school. We attended church every Sunday, I even volunteer at school and church when needed. I was raised a Christian by a wonderful loving mother.
Here’s the thing 6 years ago I was told I has breast cancer. I was ok with that information, I have God on my side. But through these past 6 years my faith, trust and understanding seem to be go off the path. Within the past years I have had to go through and bear a lot. Surgeries, liver cancer, brain tumors, seizures and not being able to drive. Pease don’t get me wrong, I do love my life and I am extremely grateful that I am still here. I just find myself questioning Him as to why this has all happened to me? I also find myself doing exactly what you just said , going to everyone but Him. I would love your help or someone’s help in teaching me or showing me how to be a better GIG. I feel my trusting in Him is not where it should be, and I want help to fix it. My husband who is a wonderful man, isn’t as supportive in this area as I would like. He does believe and goes with us to church, but doesn’t follow as we need him to for support.
I am sorry to be dragging on. Please f you can, send some guiadiance and prayers.
Thank you, in His loving name,
Kristina
This speaks profoundly to me.
These words are very timely today. I have been in a long distance relationship for just a few days shy of a year. It has been wonderful! And difficult. And for a few weeks now it has been mostly the latter. One difficulty leads to analyzing and over analyzing until I can’t see the forest for the trees, so to speak. Seeking guidance and praying that I not only ask but that I LISTEN and HEAR what God would have me to in regards to our situation. And praying the same for my long distance guy. We are from very different cultures and I think sometimes he doesn’t know how to proceed, he has many fears and worries. Thanks for any prayers on our behalf!
It’s so true. We as believers we always turn first to other people then to our Lord God. We know but always do the opposite. I do the same thing. I wonder why is it because its easier for us as human to turn to people then to God. Even thou we know to seek Our Lord first.
THE LORD IS NEAR AND FAR AT THE SAME TIME. THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS. SOME LIKE IT HOT! SOME LOVE IT COLD! AS LONG AS WE AN ACCESS HIM ANYTIME WE NEED. THAT’S SO SOOTHING LIKE A BUBBLE BATH!!!