“Then Jesus turned and seeing them following, said to them, ‘What do you seek?’”   (John 1:38)

March 2009 

Dear Friend,

Trusting that all is well with you and your loved ones. We are gearing up to a remarkable year of ministry, so much is going on. Opportunities to win the lost to Jesus are opening up all around. People are hungry, they want to know Him. With everything that is going on in our country, much is at stake. Our prayer line is open 7 days a week, from 7AM to midnight. (718) 238-4600. We are here for you! If you need to talk to someone, or you need prayer, please call! Our Prayer Partners are there to listen and to encourage you in the Lord.

Jesus found Himself being followed one day, and He stopped, and turned around and asked the men what they wanted. (John 1:38)  These men wanted to know where He was staying so that they could hear Him and get to know Him. In a moment, a flash, their whole life was changed by that one simple question. Jesus invited the men to come, and as a result they found their Messiah, and became the first Disciples. Only one is named, and that was Andrew. It is a possibility that the other was John, the author of the Gospel. Standing there were two men, more alive than they ever felt before, poised between their old life and their new one. Their hearts were strongly beating, knowing that a new destiny was awaiting them. (Vs. 39-42) Time seemed to stand still, everything around them grew more colorful, and had more meaning. They wanted to know Him more, they wanted to follow Him and learn of Him. There was a hunger in their heart that would only grow day by day and moment by moment. They would never let Him go! They hung on to His every word and even though they did not always understand Him, they held on.

Can you recall the day you accepted Jesus into your heart? The whole world seemed to change for you, everything around you was more beautiful! Your heart moved with a love you never knew you could feel! You had a perpetual smile on your face! In a moment, everything changed. You woke up with a song in your heart, you told everyone about Jesus, His name was on your lips all day long. You felt alive, and healthy, and strong! You were no longer alone, you had a personal, intimate, relationship with Jesus Christ, the very Son of God. Growing to know Him became your goal, your joy, your very existence! You couldn’t get enough of His Word, you devoured it every chance you had! You were in church every time the doors were open! Can you just picture the smile

on His face? How He loves you! When you call out to Him, He turns around and says “Come, follow Me.” He will bring you to that place where you can sit with Him if you simply ask! His question to you, is “What do you seek?” What is it that you need?

How many times do we mull things over and over in our mind, the things that tear our heart apart, and allow ourselves to grow weary, and fearful? Our mind races, we can’t rest, or sleep at night. We try to work things out in our mind as to how we will solve that problem. We may finally fall asleep, but then it is time to get up! And all of our fretfulness is still there. My friend, Jesus has a better way!

He says “Come! What is it that you need?” If only we would learn to really, really, trust Him! If only we would take that time of worry and turn it to prayer! If only, we would cry out in a loud voice and let it all spill out to a Friend that is closer than a brother. If only we would trust it all to Him and allow Him to work!

Let us step aside today and  let go of our need to be in control.  The Palmist cried out in a loud voice when he was in trouble, pouring out his fears. (Psalm 130:1-2) He did not simply speak with his thoughts, rambling on to other distractions. He focused on what he needed, and then cried out! Let us learn from him, and make use of the voice that God gave us in order to ask for the things we need! Yes, it is true that God knows everything, and He knows what we need, even before we ask. But He wants a relationship with us. He wants us to come to know Him as God our Father. He wants us to even clarify in our mind what it is exactly that we need! Sometimes we really don’t know! Sometimes we think we need something, and that is not the case. By expressing our thoughts verbally, we somehow rationalize things and this places us into the position of hearing from God so that our true need can be understood by us. Ninety percent  of the time, the things we fear the most never happen at all. So, in all things, we loudly cry out for peace!

Today’s economy, wars, and terrorism, all hit the daily headlines and this can cause us to lose our peace if we are paying more attention to that than to the promises of God. When we cry out loudly, it also helps us to focus on the power and majesty of God our Savior. Praying Scriptures out loud help us to soak God’s Word into our spirit, which will cause us to rest in Him because “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (1 Tim. 3:16) Therefore, doesn’t it truly make sense to take what God has given us and use it? Doesn’t it make sense to place all of our hope and trust in a Living God who encourages us to tell Him what we need? Let us pray, and say this pray out loud.

Father, in Jesus Mighty and Precious Name, I come before You and worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Thank You for all you have done for me! Thank You for Your Word and Your promises! I call upon You now and ask for Your intervention in this situation. (Name whatever is on your heart to pray for) Father, I thank You that you have heard me! I give You honor and praise, in Jesus Name. Amen & amen! Father, I lift this person up to you, and I thank You right now, that you have heard his or her prayer. Together, we honor and praise You, and we thank You for the answer. Amen!

God bless you!

Rev. Barbara Anne Yovino, Ph.D.