April 13, 2020
Episode #2 - The Day After
<p>The day after anything you put a lot of time, effort, and hard work into can often be challenging. Whether it’s your first 5K or Ultra, the question we find ourselves asking the day after is often a challenge. How about spiritually? Let’s talk.</p>
<p>Scriptures, a Poem, and Reflections:</p>
<p>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 the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.</p>
<p><strong>– Matthew 7:7–8 (ESV</strong></p>
<p>If ye shall ask me anything in my name, I will do it.</p>
<p><strong>– John 14:15 (KJV)</strong></p>
<p>My prayer to the promise shall cling –<br>
I will not give heed to a doubt;<br>
For I ask for the one needful thing,<br>
Which I cannot be happy without.</p>
<p>A spirit of lowly repose<br>
In the love of the Lamb that was slain,<br>
A heart to be touched with his woes,<br>
And a care not to grieve Him again –</p>
<p>The peace that my Savior has bought,<br>
The cheerfulness nothing can dim,<br>
The love that can bring every thought<br>
Into perfect obedience to Him –</p>
<p>The wisdom his mercy to own<br>
In the way he directs me to take, –<br>
To glory in Jesus alone,<br>
And to love, and do good for His sake.</p>
<p>All this Thou hast offered to me<br>
In the promise whereon I will rest;<br>
For faith, O my Savior, in Thee,<br>
Is the substance of all my request.</p>
<p>Thy word has commanded my prayer,<br>
Thy spirit has taught me to pray;<br>
And all my unholy despair<br>
Is ready to vanish away.</p>
<p>Thou wilt not be weary of me,<br>
Thy promise my faith will sustain,<br>
And soon, <strong>very soon</strong>, I shall see<br>
That I have not been asking in vain.</p>
<p>– Anna Laetitia Waring (1823 - 1910)</p>
<p>O, beloved! Ye are so very timid; so shy. (said ever so gently)</p>
<p>Why?</p>
<p>Is it for lack of faith?<br>
It is you who lack, not He! He is mighty to save. He is sovereign over all things. He is willing and able:</p>
<blockquote>Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us. (Ephesians 3:20)<br>
</blockquote>
<p>Is it because you feel too needy?<br>
O, beloved. (said tenderly) He created you as such - take comfort! Your neediness is a blessed thing. It’s the antidote for apathy! Aye. Praise Him for your neediness, beloved. Praise Him!</p>
<blockquote>As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. (Psalm 40:17)<br>
</blockquote>
<p>Is it because you are fearful?<br>
O, my soul. Have you forgotten the words of your God?</p>
<blockquote>Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)<br>
</blockquote>
<p>Therefore, ask, beloved. Trust that He will answer your prayer. Hark!</p>
<blockquote>If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:11)<br>
</blockquote>
<p>Indeed.</p>
<p>Ask, beloved.</p>
<p><br></p>
