CallOnMe | Kristi's Morning Devotional

I know I’ve told you that I really enjoy “hidden object” search games. Even when I was young I liked doing the word search pages in the newspaper or magazines.

Down the side of the page would be a list of words that were hidden somewhere in the maze of letters. If I was really feeling confident I would do them with an ink pen. These were the earliest versions of computer games before there were computers.

We all seem to be on a search, one way or another. It can be a search for fame and fortune, the perfect mate, a healthier lifestyle – any one of a vast number of things – all in hope of making life better.

My search was complete when I found Jesus!

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. ¹²Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ¹³And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJV

Seek, search for Me, and you will find Me! This was the Lord’s instruction hundreds of years ago and it’s still valid today. The Lord isn’t trying to hide. We find Him in plain sight. The shepherds found Him in a stable. The wisemen found Him at His house with His mother. His mother found Him in the temple teaching.

Zacchaeus went searching for Jesus. He even had to climb a tree to get a better vantage point. What Zacchaeus didn’t know was Jesus was also searching for him.

“Jesus said, “Today is the day for this family to be saved from sin. Yes, even this tax collector is one of God’s chosen people. ¹⁰The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them.” Luke 19:9-11 ERV

After His resurrection Jesus found his disciples behind closed doors. He came to them just like He comes to us. He came searching for those He loves. When we are in our darkest hour He comes. He comes to bring life, light, hope and joy.

Jesus searches to save the lost. We seek a Savior. When we meet, the search is over. No point to look any further.

“Look for the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near. ⁷Let the sinful turn from his way, and the one who does not know God turn from his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have loving-pity on him. Let him turn to our God, for He will for sure forgive all his sins.” Isaiah 55:6-7 NLV

When we find Jesus our search ends, we are complete in Him!

This morning I read a quote by Colin Powell and I’d like to share it with you.

“All children need a laptop. Not a computer, but a human laptop. Moms, Dads, Grannies and Grandpas, Aunts, Uncles – someone to hold them, read to them, teach them. Loved ones who will embrace them and pass on the experience, rituals and knowledge of a hundred previous generations. Loved ones who will pass to the next generation their expectations of them, their hopes, and their dreams.“

The truth of this statement rang true in my heart. I realized that it isn’t just small children who need a laptop but we grown-ups need one as well…and we have One!

We have a Father whose lap is available 24/7. He’s never too busy to spend time with us, to listen to us or to share His love with us.

“For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope. ¹²Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ¹³You will look for Me and find Me, when you look for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLV

It’s imperative to be a good listener if we desire to have strong relationships. Children need to know that their parents are listening; spouses must listen to each other; co-workers must listen to be an effective cohesive team and friendships are shallow without a commitment to listening.

Listening is caring! It says “You are important to me. I will give you the one commodity I can’t replace, my time.”

I haven’t always been a good listener – a good talker, yes, but not always a good listener. With age, I have improved. Now, when I know someone is wanting to talk and be heard, I will often say “Give me just a minute to finish this and then you will have my undivided attention”. I try to listen more and interrupt less. Relationships improve when we listen. The one talking feels valued.

“Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; and the Lord listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord and who thought on His name. ¹⁷And they shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, in that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be My jewels (My special possession, My peculiar treasure). And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Malachi 3:16-17 AMPC

The Lord listens when we talk to Him and about Him; He says He sees us as a treasure, as valuable as jewels.

Not only does the Lord listen but He responds. He’ll provide us with answers. He gives us instruction, wise counsel, course correction and help. He tells us His hopes and dreams for our future.

“Call to Me, and I will answer you. And I will show you great and wonderful things which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 NLV

Listening is a two-way street. We are listened to and then we listen for is said to us.

The Lord hears our praise and our prayers. We need to listen as He tells us the great and wonderful things that He has planned for us.

Lord, I’m listening!

Tag: CallOnMe

What Are You Looking For?

I’m Listening!