June 8 Devotion - Seek God First

Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! O my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.”

احمدوا الرب ادعوا باسمه. عرفوا بين الامم باعماله. قُلْتُ لِلرَّبِّ: «أَنْتَ سَيِّدِي. خَيْرِي لاَ شَيْءَ غَيْرُكَ».

 Psalm 105:1, Psalm 16:2

When we set our hearts toward the Lord, our faith is strengthened, and we develop the habit of talking to Him throughout the day. Unfortunately, we try to resolve problems on our own or discuss them with friends and/or relatives instead of immediately turning first to God. Imagine calling a believer and instead of offering you empathy, sympathy and support, he/she says, “I appreciate you calling me, and would love to help you, however, have you talked first to God about it? Have you prayed?”

Although I have known that I should go to God first, I still fall in the trap of trying to resolve it on my own or talk to others first. It needs constant training.

 ^“When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

أَمَّا أَنْتَ، فَعِنْدَمَا تُصَلِّي، فَادْخُلْ غُرْفَتَكَ، وَأَغْلِقِ الْبَابَ عَلَيْكَ، وَصَلِّ إِلَى أَبِيكَ الَّذِي فِي الْخَفَاءِ. وَأَبُوكَ الَّذِي يَرَى فِي الْخَفَاءِ، هُوَ يُكَافِئُكَ.

Mathew 6: 6

At all times and especially as soon as we encounter any kind of problem/challenge let us immediately turn to God and request: Abba Father, guide me in my feelings, thoughts, actions, and words.

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, I call upon Your name, guide me in my feelings, thoughts, actions, and words. Teach me to always seek Your wisdom, guidance and support. Help me to always first ask The Holy Spirit who dwells in me to take over. O my soul, say to the Lord, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.” Father, create opportunities for me to make Your deeds and blessings known among people. Thank You LORD for Your unfailing, inseparable, deep and everlasting love for me, Your abundant blessings in my life, and for the riches of Your grace upon my life. God I praise You, revere You, worship You, I stand in awe of You, and glorify Your Holy Name. I proclaim to the world that Jesus is my Lord and Saviour. Now to Him who is able to carry out His purpose and do infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Ephesians 3:20-21 AMP Amen.

Jesus loves you,

In Him,

Wagdi Henein