"I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently will find Me." Proverbs 8.17
God is Love.
In practice, the result of this Love depends on the love He receives from the obedience to His Word.
The same is true in regards to having an encounter with Him.
Only those who seek Him wholeheartedly with all of their soul, with all of their understanding and with all of their strength will find Him.
Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.” Genesis 28.20-22
Jacob was a fugitive. He was in the desert and had nothing to offer. He didn't even have anything for himself, which is the same situation many find themselves in today.
But he had a strength, a power, an energy: faith in the God of Abraham and Isaac. Armed with this conviction, he made a vow to the Lord and put faithfulness into practice.
The result: When he left his employer's house, he was richer than him.
"...but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all His wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt'?" Judges 6.13
This was Gideon's answer to the Lord, when He said: 'The Lord is with you, mighty warrior."
How many times do we hear encouraging words like these from other people?
But if the Lord is really with us, why do we have so many disappointments, frustrations, failures and troubles?
Why is that?
Because God wants to see an attitude of faith from us, just like Gideon.
We cannot forget that the blessings of the Kingdom of Heaven are taken by violence, Matthew 11.12.
"Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the firstfruits of all your increase, so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine." Proverbs 3.9-10
Honor is the link between children and their parents, husbands and wives, servants and masters.
Only those who are born of the Spirit acknowledge, through their firstfruits and offerings, that Jesus Christ is the Lord of their lives.
"Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." Genesis 15.1
The question that immediately comes to mind is: Was God only a shield and reward to Abraham?
Or does He continue being a shield and reward to all of his descendants, who follow his example and obey His Word?
"And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land, says the Lord of hosts." Malachi 3.12
It is unacceptable and impossible that those who serve the Lord of hosts have a poor quality of life or an equal quality of life as those who do not serve Him.
That just doesn't make sense!
Therefore, I propose that the women of faith join together to do a fast during 6 hours in preparation for this Sunday - Sunday of the Difference.
"A son honors his father and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence? - says the Lord of hosts to you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’ Malachi 1.6
This verse leaves it clear that the Creator answers the creation's righteous demand because of their honor and respect to Him.
The Lord will never ask us for something that we are unable to give Him.
When He asks for honor and respect, He wants to be the priority in our lives. This is why our tithes must be our firstfruits, the first 10% of everything that comes to our hands.
