Seek

May 2

If you’ve been a reader of mine for very long, you’ve heard me talk about asking God to use you. One of the things that really fueled my quest for God was the word “seek.”  These are only a few of the verses the Bible has on seek.
But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 NIV
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 NIV
I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.  Proverbs 8:17 NIV
About a year ago, the word seek came in abundance.  Bible verses, sermons, books, etc.  God was speaking – drawing me closer.  The Bible tells us those who seek the Lord will find Him.  I believe the Bible to be true, so I knew all I had to do to really find God was seek Him.    
To be honest,  I wasn’t sure how to do it.  I figured the best place to start was to read my Bible and spend more time in prayer.  Guess what? I found Him.  When I did, He began to converse with me in a way only the Lord can do.  He wanted my obedience.  He wanted my talents, my time, my money, my priorities, my thoughts, my all.  That was overwhelming at first.  Being a control freak, I tried hard to hang on to certain areas.  But that wouldn’t do for either of us – God or me.  
He called me to a place of complete abandon.  I had to abandon myself, and follow Him.  Remember in the Bible where Jesus calls the man who asks to first bury his father?  Do you remember Jesus’ response?  He said “Follow me and let the dead bury their own.” (Matthew 8:22 NIV)  We don’t need to work out all the details before we say “yes” to God.
God calls each of us to a place of obedience.  When we are willing to be obedient and listen, then  he can use us.  He’ll use whatever talents you have, and trust me, you all have some.  God took something that I loved to do, writing, and blessed it when I was willing to be used by Him.  There is nothing special about me.  I have no particular merits to warrant the doors that have opened for me.  I’ve just been willing.  That is all He requires.
It is scary to completely trust God with your all and give it to Him for His use.  But, friends, that first scary step is a step towards a life more abundant – it’s a step towards God.  
Y’all, I’m a “join the party girl.”  You know, the one who will pull people out of their chairs and beg them to have a good time.  God is using that trait in me.  He is calling me to challenge other women to look within themselves and say, “Hey, I can do that.  I want to be used by God.”  
So what are you waiting for?  What talent or trait do you have that God could use today?  Are you ready to make that step?  If so, then pray this little prayer with me.
I am a sheep.  You, O Lord, are my shepherd.  Show me your path.  Draw me closer.  Help me to be the person you intended me to be.  Use me, Lord.  Use me! I want to live for you.  I want my life to be completely and totally changed for you.  Amen. 
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I’m excited to present to you for the first time ever….the sheep to the right pin and prayer!  This pin comes with the prayer above.  At the bottom is a place for you to sign and date it.  You can stick it on your mirror, on your car visor, in your Bible, or anywhere you will see it as a reminder of your commitment to the Lord.  Wear the pin as a symbol of that commitment that you want to be used by God.  When people ask you about the pin, tell them that you’ve asked God to use you.  
Why sheep to the right on the pin?  Sheep to the right comes from a parable in Matthew 25 where Jesus says when we do things for our fellow man, we are doing it for Him.  So that sheep is a reminder that we are doing it all for Him. 
Isn’t it cute?  I’m really excited about these!  I will be giving away a pin and prayer to one lucky person.  All you need to do is leave a comment by Monday telling me how you want to be used by God.  I’ll announce the winner Tuesday.  For the rest of you folks who don’t win, don’t despair, you can purchase a pin.
The cost is $4 per pin or 3 for $10.  If I need to ship it to you, the shipping is $1 for 1-10 pins.  If you order 10 or more pins, the shipping is FREE.  Email me from the link in the upper right hand corner of the blog to order.  

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  • kmom3 May 2 at 4:38 pm

    Love it! Love it! Love it!
    Of course, don’t put me in the running to win it, cause I just won the book…so I’m not gonna be all selfish. 🙂
    But you really have been such an encouragement to me with your obedience to God and your desire to be used. It has caused me to pray more purposefully about being used myself!
    Blessings, sweet Carol.
    Oh, and baaaaaaaaa to ya’!

  • Cheri May 2 at 6:20 pm

    OOOhhh, Carol this is just sooo exciting! Love the pins and prayer, too cute!! What a wonderful idea…in more ways than one.

    I want to be used by the Lord. I want to change the world- regardless of how ridiculous that that may sound. I told Gina, at Writer Interrupted, that in a comment a few weeks ago. It was almost scary to put it out there because you just never know how God will use you, or through what circumstance. And, that can be a scary thought.

    It’s funny that you use the word “seek” because I have been waiting for the word “GO” and getting frustrated. Instead of waiting on him…he is most likely waiting on me to truly SEEK him!

    You put so much thought into what you do! It all turns out so amazing. You are a true inspiration my friend!!

    I am smiling because this verse has been coming up for me quite a lot lately:

    But “SEEK” first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

  • Sita Henderson May 2 at 8:00 pm

    Carol, I have been seeking and will continue to do so. I am willing. The Lord has not yet revealed in what specific way He wants to use me, so I strive to be obedient to what He gives me today: to take care of my family; share on my blog; do my Bible-study.

    I would covet prayers on God’s leading on my life or if anyone discerns from the Spirit from reading my blog where He has gifted me, I would love to hear, as He uses people to confirm. Thanks, Carol!

  • Alicia May 2 at 8:55 pm

    What an encouragement! Yes, I want to be used of God…and I thank you for your encouragement!

    You are a blessing!

    Alicia

  • Peggy May 3 at 11:20 pm

    Carol…I JUST LOVE YOUR LAMBS…Sheep…prayer and pin…how creative and clever!
    Though I must say all the Words of Wisdom on SEEK were even more aMazing…so I’m grazing and gazing asking God to Use Me since that was my song last week! Bless you for sifting and scrolling through all my stuff to leave me a precious WORD in my comments(I was beginning to think I had lost touch with the BLOG world)! I have been visiting and dropping off comments but you BLESS me with Yours..mountains can be moved..didn’t you hear about the earthquake in Illinois? The earth is shifting and I’m SEEKING to be in ONE ACCORD! Thanks Carol! Peggy

  • Peggy May 3 at 11:40 pm

    Carol…I’m not doing this to have more chances…cuz I can’t qualify…too far away…and mail is so undependable(is that a word?)
    but I commented so long, I forgot to answer. I pray that God is USING me, right here, right now in Mexico as He has called me here. But I know that there is so much more I could/should be doing! It will take MIRACLES! My vision for Mazatlan is making a dent into the life of young women, who sell themselves for a living, and children, being sold into the world of s..trafficking! My heart cry and my prayers have been the only way so far that I’ve moved in this direction! I know of at least 6 dance clubs that I’ve prayed around in the spiritual realm for chains to be broken and lives to be changed. In order for this to be a ministry, there is alot involved. To get people off the streets, you need a lot of services and fundings then you need something to offer them to make the transition-a new source of income. They need Jesus, but reality tells them, they can’t leave their “job”. This is before they are taken from here and transported to other places! I feel useless because I have not come up with a solution or even a place to start! But God laid this on my heart very strongly on my 5 day road trip back here two summers ago! I started just with researching it! Then prayer! Now, I need to put it into action! For now, I was contemplating starting a Love Lines Crisis Counseling Center here like in MN!They have gone world wide! That may be a start to reaching them ONE by One!
    WON by ONE! and that’s not me that’s JESUS! For now, I wait and I help with the Children’s Feeding Centers or Vineyard’s Project(s)like to the Dumpsite…there’s so many needs and not enough hands to reach them all…and this is just one corner of the world…or even Mexico!MULTIPLY that and GOD can use many laborers in the harvest!

  • Anonymous May 4 at 12:39 pm

    Hi there I just wanted to let you know I have enjoyed browsing through your blog and loved the article about Jesus at McDonalds. You are a talented writer and your love for Jesus shines through your writing.
    Julie
    http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/juliestew

  • DeAnna May 4 at 6:52 pm

    Carol, this is SOOOOO exciting!!! I love the new pin and prayer card. What a GREAT idea. God is really using you, girlfriend. Keep on seeking. I can’t wait to see what God does next!

  • Stephanie (Ocean Mommy) May 5 at 5:25 pm

    LOVE IT!!!!

  • The Stokes Family May 7 at 12:34 pm

    Okay, I’m a little late posting, but now that I’ve seen the pin in person I can comment on how INCREDIBLE CUTE it is! And of course, the thought and commitment behind it is even more amazing. YES, YES, YES, I want God to use me! I want him to use me in all of the obvious ways . . . in my home, with my family & friends, in my church . . . but also in the many ways I can’t even imagine! USE ME! Wow–there is something powerful about saying those words!

    Blessings!
    Amanda

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