“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 NLT
Give you Everything
Consider the lilies of the field… Matt 6:28
Consider the lilies of the field… Matt 6:28
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 NLT
thedailylily.com 
I think this photo might be an empty nest from Tammy’s last years photo journey of window seal bird eggs to bird wings taking flight leaving an empty nest.
At times I feel about like that. A spiritual empty nest. I hold the vision of empty nest like a ‘pocket in my heart’ that I have prepared to offer again/lift unto the Lord for Him to fill.
Tammy’s bird nest journey started with eggs and then the diligent persistent deeds of birds birthed the fruit.
So what exactly would I like for the Lord to fill my nest/the pocket in my heart/my cup with?
Isaiah 11:2 references the Holy Spirit using a seven-fold description: “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—(Messiah) the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.” The prophecy is that the Messiah would be empowered not by seven individual spirits but by the One Spirit, described seven ways: Therefore, when I ask the Lotd to fill my cup I’m asking Jesus to fill the pocket (nest) that I have prepared to receive from his unlimited power that He freely shares when we offer our prayers.
1) The Spirit of the LORD
2) The Spirit of wisdom
3) The Spirit of understanding
4) The Spirit of counsel
5) The Spirit of power
6) The Spirit of knowledge
7) The Spirit of the fear of the Lord
I know others are asking for different things as seasons of life come and go just as the rains from heaven often show us God is faithful to return with just what we need when we need it.
If you would like to share your seeking story for prayers please do. We hope there will be prayers for one another. I will offer prayers for you believing The Lord will provide what you need in reference to Matt 6:33.
The “empty nest from Tammy’s last years photo journey” really looks like it is waiting to be filled, and Sara’s words about the “pocket (nest)” and the “seven-fold description” of the Holy Spirit paint a picture for me of the dove of the Holy Spirit descending on and filling the nest.
When I read these words of Sara’s “seasons of life come and go just as the rains from heaven often show us God is faithful to return with just what we need when we need it….” And thought about a “seeking story for prayers”, I thought of a poem I first heard/read in her “Dressing for His Glory” retreat book.
I love this poem probably because it’s symbolism is about things I love and can relate to…gardens, watering cans and tending thirsty plants. Words are not my strength when it comes to connecting to others, but I always hope something about plants can help encourage others and build a stepping stone pathway. I value this poem as a prayer; a goal to seek for; and an illustration of Matt 6:33. I think the “earthen vessel” in the poem is my empty nest/pocket/watering can.
The Master and the Earthen Vessel- author unknown
The Master stood in His garden,
Among the lilies fair,
Which His own right hand had planted,
And trained with tend’rest care.
He looked at their snowy blossom,
And marked with observant eye
That the flowers were sadly drooping.
For their leaves were parched and dry.
“My lilies need to be watered,”
The Heavenly Master said;
“Wherein shall I draw it for them,
And raise each dropping head?”
Close to his feet on the pathway,
Empty, and frail, and small,
An earthen vessel was lying,
Which seemed no use at all.
But the Master saw, and raised it
From the dust in which it lay,
And smiled, as He gently whispered,
“This shall do My work today.”
“It is but an earthen vessel,
But it lay close to Me;
It is small, but it is empty-
This is all it needs to be.”
So to the fountain He took it,
And filled it full to the brim;
How glad was the earthen vessel
To be of some use to Him!
He poured forth the living water
Over His lilies fair;
Until the vessel was empty,
And again He filled it there.
He watered the dropping lilies
Until they revived again;
And the Master saw with pleasure
That His labor had not been vain.
His own hand had drawn the water
Which refreshed the thirsty flowers;
But He used the earthen vessel
To convey the living showers.
And to itself it whispered,
As He laid it aside once more,
“Still will I lie in His pathway,
Just where I did before.
Close would I keep to the Master,
Empty would I remain,
And perhaps some day He may use me
To water His flowers again.
Debi, thanks for taking time to read and pray and seek answers from “The Heavenly Master” that used an earthen vessel as an unknown author to share their gardening story. You, being a gardener found stepping stones through this writer to ask for prayer for planting and tending a garden that might have the light of The Holy Spirit guiding your seasonal task. The writer seem to have a unique way of communicating “there is a time for all things… a time to plant and a time to uproot,..”Ecl”
“My lilies need to be watered,”
The Heavenly Master said;
“Wherein shall I draw it for them,
And raise each dropping head?”
We pray for Debi and the gardening answers she is seeking to be prepared in ways that only a seasonal gardener may understand. We give thanks for “gardeners” everywhere and especially those that co-labor with “The Master Gardener” to care for, beautify and produce food for , …”His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
I enjoy seeing the above picture and being reminded of the baby birds, the care the parent birds provided, til the babies could fly away on their own. It is a reminder for me, as a parent, that our children “leave the nest” to make a life of their own. One of my “seeking story”prayers is that my children will keep Christ first in their lives, and to stay focused on His will for them. I agree in prayer with Sara for all people “to believe the Lord will provide what you need in reference to Matt 6:33.”🙏
Tammy, the love a parent carries in their heart for their adult children gives us a glimpse into the heart of God and how He feels about us. You have asked a great thing and I’m sure others and that includes me would like to join in to ask, and re-ask for our adult children.
Heavenly Father, we ask that you hear Tammy’s hearts cry for her adult children. They will be blessed with the guidance and counsel of the Holy Spirit to follow after you with their whole hearts all the days of their lives.
Lord, we place Tammy’s children in this open field of expansion in their hearts;
Isaiah 30:21 And whether you (they) turn to the right or to the left, your (their) ears will hear this command behind you: (them)”This is the way. Walk in it.” Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Your (their) own ears will hear him.” (God)
I add my children and families with Tammy’s and other parents that would like to join. Heavenly Father, Isaiah’s words seem so simple yet profound. Guide us as we pray, teach and believe for their eternal good as we journey together in joy.
Sara, I would like to join in and say Amen to your prayer for Tammy; and also to agree with what you wrote, “I add my children and families with Tammy’s and other parents that would like to join.”
As I read your prayer request and prayed this am I thought I would google and see if others were reading the same map we are. There were others and these were the first two that showed. Just very short devotionals right to the point. I didn’t check the 17 times I thought I would leave that to Debi since she likes to research. But, I sure like the message of God’s assurance that his goal is to keep His children on the right road for their destination.
“17 times by the scribes this scripture is recorded and every time when we are about to go in the wrong direction we will hear a word behind us giving us directions. Trust His Faithfulness.”
And! This front porch guy gave us a thought from a deer hunters point of view and guess who I thought of Tammy’s adults!🦌🦌🦌 He made me laugh a bit with his visual dragging a deer…
I’m so reminded by these two very different approaches that Our Father knows just how to speak to us. Think about the voice behind us? Could it be a friend, another deer hunter, a singer, a minister, a friend. One with an elegant voice or one with a southern go get’em guys. Aweee God has the voice of many waters. “ EZEKIEL 43:2, “the prophet proclaims God’s “voice was like the sound of many waters” and the Apostle John affirms “His voice as the sound of many waters” (REVELATION 1:15). …
Loved listening to the “front porch guy”. Yes, my adult sons do like to hunt 🦌 🦌 🥰. My dad sure enjoyed taking them hunting when they were young.💙💙💙
Tammy, thanks for the memories. I have fond memories of your Dads devotion to deer hunting! And, his fondness of and pride in his grandsons hunting skills. I enjoy adding others joy of interest into the gifted lives of those I pray for. I am greatly aware of how diverse God is in giving gifts and the culture and places where gifts are in action and connections. When I utter God is love I’m aware that He is not an emotional exciting roller coaster ride. Let us love one another as he loves us. Maybe check in on my thoughts does he love you as much as he loves me? 😱
Sara, you have asked, “ does he love you as much as he loves me? 😱” The first Scripture that came to my mind when I read this was John 3:16. John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world…” 🤔 does the “world” include everyone? I began looking at different versions to see if John 3:16 said anything other than “world”? Sara, I didn’t find one that said something different? Am I on the right track for attempting to answer your question? 🤔
Aweee Tammy have you ever heard any news greater than this? You are so on grades beyond cum Laude.
Have you heard this song?
“Oh, How He Loves You And Me,
Oh, How He Loves You And Me.
He Gave His Life, What More Could He Give;
Oh, How He Loves You,
Oh, How He Loves Me,
Oh, How He Loves You And Me.
Jesus To Calvary Did Go,
His Love For Mankind To Show.
What He Did There, Brought Hope From Despair.
Oh, How He Loves You,
Oh, How He Loves Me,
Oh, How He Loves You And Me.
Oh, How He Loves You And Me,
Oh, How He Loves You And Me.
He Gave His Life, What More Could He Give;
Oh, How He Loves You,
Oh, How He Loves Me,
Oh, How He Loves You And Me.”
Doesn’t this confirm your answer? I hope the world hears this great news often.
“Tammy have you ever heard any news greater than this? “ No news in this world greater than this! 🌎💕🙌✝️ Yes, Sara, I have heard this beautiful song 🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶 the lyrics couldn’t be any more true. ✝️💕 Thank you Lord for sending Your only Son.✝️🙏
Sara, you wrote, “As I read your prayer request and prayed this am I thought I would google and see if others were reading the same map we are. There were others and these were the first two that showed. Just very short devotionals right to the point. “
This reminded me of the scripture I have heard Sara speak of many times, “Indeed, the Sovereign LORD never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7
The videos were very encouraging and I agree with Sara, “I sure like the message of God’s assurance that his goal is to keep His children on the right road for their destination.”
And yes, Sara is right, I do like to research. These are a few of the scriptures I found that stood out that related to Isaiah 30:21 as I went on a scripture hunt for the 17.
Psalm 32:8: “The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” NLT
Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” NLT
Isaiah 58:11: “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” NIV
Jeremiah 6:16: “Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the roads and look; ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is; then walk in it, And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’” AMP
Psalm 25:9: “He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.” NLT
Isaiah 42:16: ““I will lead the blind by a way they do not know; I will guide them in paths that they do not know. I will make darkness into light before them And rugged places into plains. These things I will do [for them], And I will not leave them abandoned or undone.” AMP
Isaiah 48:17: “This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” NIV
Psalm 143:8: “Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” NLT