My grace is sufficient for you

"but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses,* in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me."  (2 Corinthians 12: 9)

"The Lord has more need of our weakness than of our strength: our strength is often His rival; our weakness, His servant, drawing on His resources, and showing forth His glory. Man's extremity is God's opportunity; man's security is Satan's opportunity. God's way is not to take His children out of trial, but to give them strength to bear up against it "  (Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"

Where is your treasure?

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.
But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be."  (Matthew 6: 19 - 21)

We seek not tainted riches but pearl of the greatest value.

"But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides."  (Matthew 6: 33)

We resolve to make the seeking of the pearl of the greatest value our top priority always and everywhere.  We understand that in doing so, we gain all riches at the same time.

"I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings."  (Luke 6: 9)

Lord, never let our hearts be tempted by dishonest wealth.

What we sow and how we sow in the vineyard of the Lord

"Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
 Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work."  (2 Corinthians 9: 6 - 8)

Whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
What do we sow and how do we sow in the vineyard of the Lord?

• We sow time (symbol is clock and watch)
• We sow talent (symbol is our key instrument of livelihood. For me, it is computer and smartphone)
• We sow treasure (symbol is savings, checking and credit accounts)
• We sow tools (symbol is property, cars, homes)

We sow the above in full realization that all that we have come from God.  We sow knowing also that we can never outdo God in generosity.  Our sowing is a product of prayer and forethought and not an accident or spontaneous reaction.  We sow joyfully knowing that God loves a cheerful giver. We sow the maximum realizing that minimum sowing produces minimum fruit.

"I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last."  (John 15: 16, 19)
"I will bear a witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers, alleluia."  (Psalm 17: 50; 21: 23)

God is the Guardian of my rights

"Blessed the one whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD, his God,
The maker of heaven and earth,
the seas and all that is in them,
Who keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
who gives bread to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free;"  (Psalm 146: 5 - 7)

God secures justice for the oppressed.  He is the Guardian of my rights.  Therefore, no fear, no fury, no fight.

"LORD, guide me in your justice because of my foes;
make straight your way before me."  (Psalm 5: 9)

"The LORD does righteous deeds,
brings justice to all the oppressed."  (Psalm 103: 6)

Therefore I must trust the Lord when my rights are infringed upon.
Teach me O Lord to let go:

"I let go of my desire for security."
"I let go of my desire for affection ."
"I let go of my desire for control ."
"I let go of my desire to change the situation ."
"I let go of my desire for perfect health ."
"I let go of my desire for perfect family harmony ."
"I let go of my desire for the perfect job."

God does not delay in fulfilling His promises

"Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For he says:
“In an acceptable time I heard you,
and on the day of salvation I helped you.”
Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."  (2 Corinthians 6: 1 - 2)

There is a time for prayer, a time for waiting and a time for answer.

"I am bringing on that victory, it is not far off,
my salvation shall not tarry;
I will put salvation within Zion,
give to Israel my glory."  (Isaiah 46: 13)

God promises that His answer or salvation shall not be late.  Once the fullness of time arrives, God moves fast.

"The least one shall become a clan,
the smallest, a mighty nation;
I, the LORD, will swiftly accomplish
these things when the time comes."  (Isaiah 60: 22)

"The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,” but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3: 9)

Why does the Lord appear to be slow in fulfilling His promises?  God is an excellent Father.  Delay in keeping His promises is to allow us maximum time for preparation to receive His gifts.

"Then the LORD answered me and said:
Write down the vision;
Make it plain upon tablets,
so that the one who reads it may run.
For the vision is a witness for the appointed time,
a testimony to the end; it will not disappoint.
If it delays, wait for it,
it will surely come, it will not be late."  (Habakkuk 2: 2 - 3)

Write down the promise of God and date it. Then save it in a place that you can easily retrieve it.  Wait for the fulfillment in prayer.  As you pray for its fulfillment, hope will be born in your heart and "the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4: 7)

Then one day, you will taste the joy of fulfillment of this promise:
"I have left an open door before you, which no one can close."  (Revelation 3: 8)

Let go

"I let go of my desire for security."
"I let go of my desire for affection ."
"I let go of my desire for control ."
"I let go of my desire to change the situation ."
"I let go of my desire for perfect health ."
"I let go of my desire for perfect family harmony ."
"I let go of my desire for the perfect job."

The One Thing I ask for

"One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the LORD’s house
all the days of my life,
To gaze on the LORD’s beauty,
to visit his temple."  (Psalm 27: 4)

The One thing you need:  The Holy Spirit.

"In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said: Whatever you ask I shall give you."  (1 Kings 3: 5)

"So God said to him: Because you asked for this—you did not ask for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies—but you asked for discernment to know what is right—
I now do as you request. I give you a heart so wise and discerning that there has never been anyone like you until now, nor after you will there be anyone to equal you."  (1 Kings 3: 11-12)

"There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”  (Luke 10: 42)

If I have the privilege to ask God of Only One Thing  here and now, what will that One Thing
be?

I will not hesitate.  I will ask for the Holy Spirit and all His gifts.  I will continue to wait on the Lord and ask for this until He grants me my heart's desire.