This devotional comes from the June 1 entry of the Hearing From God Daily Devotional. Click the image above for purchase information.
The creation is groaning and travailing, waiting for the sons of God to be revealed. This is two-fold. First, there definitely is a timeframe for what I am doing, and I will move on this world in the most effective way to reveal to people My loving purposes for them, but second, there is a growth factor in each individual's heart. When people choose to obey those portions of My Word that say "Seek My face," I am delighted to answer their prayers, to manifest My Presence, and to increase their effectiveness in bearing fruit. So the best possible way one can prepare to be used by My Spirit is to seek My Face and get to know Me more intimately. I know all about you, but you know little of Me. Seek My face diligently; not because it makes Me love you more, but because it renews your mind, and you are better equipped to be used in ministry, be that to throngs of people, or to the individual I send to you to be encouraged. My servant Barnabas understood how powerful it was to be an encouragement, and his reward continually increases because there are still ripples being felt across the world because of ministry he did 2000 years ago. I keep track of these things, and I know what growth happens because of obedience in ministry. There is indeed a domino effect, and blessing begets blessing, over and over. Start such cascades of blessing, and many will be enriched and edified, and great will be your reward.
Romans 8:18-22; Mark 1:15; John 7:8; Galatians 4:4; Ephesians 1:10; Deuteronomy 4:29; 1Chronicles 16:11; 2Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 9:10, 27:8 (nlt), 34:10, 63:1-2, 69:32, 105:3-4, 119:2-3; Isaiah 55:6; Lamentations 3:25; Hosea 10:12; Amos 5:4-6; Hebrews 11:6; John 15:10-11, 16:24, 14:21, 17:24, 15:5; Romans 12:1-2; Acts 4:36 (amp); Genesis 15:1; Luke 6:35; Hebrews 10:35