In Mark 10: 46 - 52 we have the wonderful story of Blind Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus sat by the road out of Jericho begging and heard that Jesus was passing by. He cried out to get the attention of Jesus and would not be quietened by the crowd. As soon as Jesus called him Bartimaeus threw off his outer garment (which symbolized that he was a beggar) and came to Jesus. When Jesus asked him what he wanted he immediately asked for his sight and he received it right away.

So, what do we learn from this story? Firstly, Bartimaeus was determined, he shouted in a loud voice to get the lord’s attention (the word for "shout" in the Greek used here can also mean "scream"). He was also persistent, no one could shut him up. He was determined not to let his miracle pass him by. Jesus, in asking Bartimaeus what he wanted, challenged the blind man to make a specific request: “Lord, that I might receive my sight” (v 51). Jesus commended the faith of Bartimaeus and acknowledged that it was his faith that made him well (v 52). What a wonderful miracle, Bartimaeus received his sight but was also liberated from begging and given a new start to his life!

Jesus is still saying to us today, "what do you want me to do for you"? Make a specific request in faith. Believe God for your miracle today. Jesus is no respecter of persons; he will respond to you just as he did to blind Bartimaeus.

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The word salvation contains the idea that God wants to prosper us. In the word we are told that the wealth of the wicked is saved up for the righteous (Prov 13:22), that’s us. God said he would meet all of our need according to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19). Did you catch that? God said according to his riches and glory not our limited idea of riches and glory. God wants to open the windows of heaven on us and pour out such a blessing we cannot contain it (Mal 3:10).

However, we are directed to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and then all these things will be added to us (Matt 6:33). In fact, in the bible we read that we often do not receive what we ask for because we ask with the wrong motivation; we ask for selfish reasons (James 4:3).

I think what the Lord is saying is that if we seek after him, his heart and to obey him, then he will exercise his highest desire to bless us as his children. We don’t come to him just to get. Focusing on just getting stuff will never satisfy us, only our relationship with Jesus will do that.

“Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness” (2 Cor 9:10; KJV). God wants to pour his blessings through us so that his work can be done on this earth and in the process, we will be blessed with all our needs met abundantly (John 10:10).

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“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31; KJV).  “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Col 3:23).

It’s easy to separate our spiritual life from our daily activities but really if we are walking in the spirit the two are intertwined. We don’t have to be in church to be led by the spirit. According to these verses everything we do should be done as an offering to the Lord whether its washing dishes, closing a business deal or singing in the choir. On the job, we should go the extra mile, work with excellence and give no one reason to complain about our performance or attitude.

“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:12) As Christians we should be setting an example to the world in the workplace, with our families and in everything we do and say. If we approach our day to day tasks as something done for God it won’t go unnoticed.         

Finally, let Jesus speak to us as quoted by the apostle John: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). Let’s commit to show the world God’s love and to bring glory and honor to God at all times and in all places.

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Matthew 6: 25-34 is a wonderful exhortation for us not to worry about our needs. God says look at the beauty and magnificence of my creation; the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, see how I created them and care for them. If God can do that how much more will he care for us. God says, you focus on me and being like me and pleasing me and I will take care of the provision.

God is not short on supplies for our provision. Everything on this earth belongs to God. “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills” (Ps 50:10). “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts” (Hag 2:8).

I like his instruction to us to leave the worry with him.

In 1 Peter 5:6-7 we are told to humble ourselves before God, cast our cares on him and he will care for us. Now this does not tell us to sit idly by and wait for God to provide; no, we are to work with our hands to provide our needs. In the apostle Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians he wrote: “For even when we were with you, we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thess 3:10). But, if we trust God and do our part we don’t need to worry, we need to trust God that everything will be taken care of; ends will more than meet. Trust God, take the limits off of him; he will provide.

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In Psalm, 139 we are told that God formed us in our mother’s womb and that he has a plan for each of our lives (v13-16). Let’s also consider the following verses from the Bible: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jer 29:11; KJV) and: “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!” (Ps 139:17).

Sit back and close your eyes and meditate on the verses above. The Creator of the universe made you, loves you, thinks of you and has a special plan and place for you.

God does not make junk and is no respecter of person (Matt 22:16). He sees you as important as anyone else. God even sees each one of us as his workmanship, his poem and the work or art that he created (Eph 2:10).

In Psalm 139 King David tells us further that God knows us intimately, right down to our thoughts (v1-4). Nothing is hidden from God (Matt 9:4). David completed Psalm 139 by asking God to search him and show him any evil that needed to be removed from him, so that he (David) could be led by God in God’s perfect plan for his life (v 23-24). I am sure that is the cry of all of our hearts. God called David a man after his own heart (Acts 13:22). I think I would like to be called that as well; how about you?

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 Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.