My ‘other’ family

[The subtitle is Church, Part 2]

You go to the golf course to play golf, you go to the grocery store to purchase food, you go to a doctor to get well. What do all these ‘activities’ have in common? Yep. Purpose situations, and many more examples I could have chosen. Point: each had a specific goal, a logical context - a purpose. Soooo, why do you go to church? What’s the church’s purpose and goal… and what are yours? Why do You attend church, and specifically your church?

Part of 'purpose' is found in the word ‘your’. Do you feel planted in your church? Is your church your ‘other’ family? If not... what is church to and for you? What do you do for your church and what does your church do for you? There are aspects of attending church that most will point to such as fellowship, feeling a part of 'something', the opportunity to grow and learn spiritual 'matters', music, and... ??? Do you have a part, a role to share with this family? Quite honestly, if you don't view church as your 'other' family,, you are missing a great deal not least of which is the opportunity each week to be refreshed, reinvigorated, and 

renewed, to 'be' in our world in the upcoming week. 

Ready to Be in your world in the upcoming week is just one of the positives. But it is important. Sometimes we find ourselves in need of the 'other' family because the problem is beyond (blood) family. We all need support, understanding, correction and this can come from a member of the 'other' family. Are they always right... hardly, they're people too and make mistakes, but they do present another voice. Little question, is the reverse also true? Are you available to help someone else? Will you help them on their way and give the best advice you know how... (which is always supported by scripture)?

Let me ask a slightly different question...  Are you in agreement with what scripture says about who you are and who you are becoming? Do you really believe YOU have a gift? Do you act on this? Or do you say (and act?) the opposite of what the Bible says? Now let me ask this with a different spin. Someone has said: "Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future." (wish I had said it... no escaping the implication)  You aren't who you were and you aren't, yet, who you are becoming. And all this rests on you and your decisions about this.

No, not everyone can be trusted even in your own blood family and even with their best of intentions. No, not everyone can help. That's part of the reason that we're in 2 families. But do we treat one another as family? Do we have higher expectations (rarely stated) for the church family than our own? Why? The church family can be a tremendous help. That's the word - HELP, not do for you what you can do. Don't underestimate your church family (or your blood family) but don't over expect from either. Use the wisdom given to you by God. Speak clearly about your question or need. Accept humbly what can be offered. Show gratitude. But always, always... use common sense when it comes to expectations. And follow scripture when it tells us to test the spirits - 1 John 4: 1-4

  "Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed 

   prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because

   many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world." [v. 1]

Still More Miscellaneous Thoughts on PRAYER, Part 7

I'm preparing to host a rather large 'prayer event' encompassing people who will be joining from various areas. I'm a detail type, no apologies, so I've been focusing on the technical details to make certain that those who wish to attend will be able to access the event. The other part is to be certain that those who will be leading have their information far enough in advance to be able to develop and lead the various sections of prayer time. Everything is ready... or is it? Not looking at the things I've attended to, I've done everything I know how to make certain there are no glitches down to the minute of details. That's not my concern.

What about the hearts and minds of those of us leading prayer... that i have no 'control' over, nor should I. But I wonder if we are doing what the Lord would be pleased with. I know we're following the model He gave in the Lord's Prayer. But this too is more of a 'technical', not heart issue. As usual are we coming to the Lord after all is in place and asking Him to bless it rather than taking the time in the beginning to come to Him and say that this is what we want to do for Him and yes for our needs and wants, but that we need and want His help to make the 'event' His?

Troubling. Is this how we approach prayer? We see the issue, problem, as well as opportunity and in our 'fixit' mindset we set about doing precisely that rather than coming to the Lord and asking what and how He would have us do, how He would want us to be involved? 'Fixit' types are kin to 'detail' types and sometimes they are one and the same. Not a criticism but we who fit either/both of these categories need to stop before we start to get our focus. The Lord assures us that where 2 or 3 are gathered... He's there. Matthew 18:20, Message

   "When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer

    of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are

    together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.”

What might occur if we came prior to the start of the planning rather than after? The verses that give me pause are found in John 15:4-11. Do you appreciate what it says? This is the Amplified, but read these verses in a number of versions to catch the fullness of what's said. It starts with

   "Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by

    itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing

    evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me."

Had you ever considered that when you go to the Lord FIRST you are evidencing your faith? Now apply that thinking to all the things you do. Do you demonstrate your faith, your trust when you start with the Lord instead of presenting a done deal to Him? Presenting what we've developed may be excellent, on point... but is it what the Lord wants? Does give pause, doesn't it. (not a question) 

This could easily end up being a very, very long discussion. Actually, this is more like an introduction... but it is food for thought. I'm not pointing fingers and remember that we can only walk in the light we have. But... But, if this is more than an idle thought or an interesting discussion it can change our thinking as well as our mindset and thus our behavior... it can become a new 'starting' point. It can become far more than we think.

Church

There's no such thing as a 'perfect' church! 

By definition churches are populated by people... and they are 'operated' by people and people are NOT perfect. So we could never believe that the Father's fallen creation could create 'perfect'. Or do we? Do we expect the leadership and Pastor to always do 'the right thing' (do need a definition of right thing and who made it). Infallible - no, but I would like to believe it is directed by caring and concerned people - at least it needs to be, and yes... sadly there are churches that aren't. It needs to have people who know who they are, are passionate about what they believe but aware that they need the counsel of others to verify. And I would go so far as to include in that last sentence - conscious that they have been blessed with a gift to help grow the body. Personally, I have a list of what I think leadership should be about... whether or not they are.

Now... put that in the following context:

   "...just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might

    sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might

    present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any

    such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish."

    [Ephesians 5: 25b-27, NKJV]

The Amplified Bible says in verse 27: "...so that [in turn] He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy [set apart for God] and blameless" What a future is set before us! Does this define and direct us? Do we seek the Lord's plan for our particular church? Is this vision shared with the congregation? Does everyone know their part because EVERYONE who is planted in the church has a job, has a responsibility... because they have a gift!

i would argue that there is no way that, on our own, we could ever attain 'without spot or wrinkle'. But the Word says  that the Lord is coming for a church that is without spot or wrinkle. One question is: does without spot or wrinkle define perfect? Is this state beyond what we can attain? We can only walk in the light that we have, but where does our light come from? And do we let it shine? (Yes I know that was more than one question. Questions birth other questions.)

Becoming 'the church' is not a challenge except toward our arch enemy. That devil, the liar, will always tell us that we can never be such a church. And we need to be like Nehemiah when it comes to the church. Read again how he directed the walls to be rebuilt - it is still a good plan. Do remember though that our weapons, which are not carnal (2 Corinthians 10:4), are not directed at one another (another of the devil plans).

Becoming 'the church' is a process and is enriched every time we have new people who become planted in our fellowship. EACH person has a part to accomplish and when one member leaves, that part is always filled. But it always is our privilege to be part, belong. And it is always our decision. I sometimes think we need to follow the song's suggestion... 'Count every blessing, count them one-by-one...' the context is the church. 

Have you thought about the blessings from being part (as in member) of the church? Some of the obvious blessings are: 

   fellowship, belonging, having a place to share our gifting, to learn and grow

   individually and as a group, a meaningful way to touch your world, 

and that begins a blessing listing.

To repeat myself... there's no such thing as a 'perfect' church, but that isn't excuse or license to not look at the Word to discover, grow, and act on the teachings Jesus gave and the Holy Spirit reminds us and realize that we will always need the help of our Triune God to become the church that they have prepared for us.

The Lord and me

If you think this is going to be another discussion on relationship... you're right! Then again, I'm not certain that we ever stop learning about relationship(s) because they are always growing...... or if not, then they are atrophying and do you really desire a relationship with the Lord that's atrophying???!!! 

Do you know how you see, define, understand the word - relationship? If you don't, you need to start there. But mostly, you need to read scripture to understand how the Lord defines the word. Actually, it can be summed up in the word, 'friend'. Now, look at how you demonstrate 'friend'. Is it only surface? Is it basically 'social'? Neither work for me. Those words define 'acquaintance', not 'friend'. Maybe that's why I've always had a lot of acquaintances but very few friends. Then again... I may define the words differently than others.

Do you ever ask yourself - what do I expect from this relationship? What do I want from it? What am I willing to do/be for it? And what does the other person expect, want, will do? Those are really important questions. Want and Expect have 2 different definitions, and you really can't use them interchangeably. Underscoring all this is trust. Do I trust the other person... or, how much can I trust the other person? Have I seen behavior that supports what I think I know? Do all of this consciously? Probably not. But it does form the foundation for relationship when you know those answers at least intuitively. Without this knowledge, you may miss what you seek... as well as which you are willing to do. Equally important verging on critical is the other person's definitions. A kind of ... one person's friend may be another person's acquaintance.

I titled this discussion, 'The Lord and me'. This is the focus for this discussion. What kind of relationship do YOU want with the Lord. A 'when it's convenient for me' basis? Don't really think that works. Remember - He is omni, so He knows - and precisely - our what/where/when/with whom at the moment. Plus, He's never surprised at what we do/say. Lastly (though there are other questions that could be asked), have you invited the Lord into every area, aspect of your life? He won't tread where He isn't invited... but He will know. Actually... in those areas I think he knocks on our door. How do we respond?

Let me share my relationship with the Lord, and how I view it. First, it is constantly growing, expanding. I want my relationship to be completely, absolutely, and totally - in every minute (implies close and searching attention to the smallest details) component and I have asked that if I am withholding, to let me know. It's a relationship in which He is teaching and I get to bring to Him the discoveries that He is helping me to make. It also includes... walking in the woods, listening to music, talking, being comfortable in companionable silence - more of a nano second by nano second reality. Am I always attentive to this? Hardly. But I do have the mindset and attempt to follow it.

Being somewhat rabbit trail oriented, am I in fact doing this? Yes and no. I do try but I don't strive. It always is there, exists so I can always go and be there in the relationship. It is so peaceful. However, this kind of relationship may not be the kind you seek. Know what you want! Talk with the Lord and see if what you are seeking is how He sees your relationship with Him. Somehow I think that a relationship is built by both parties. 

Seeking a relationship with the Lord is not something to avoid, something that is against His will. Yes, we are to fear and honor God but fear is awe, worship not being afraid. God IS as awesome as our eyes see, our ears hear, and our hearts believe and understand.  The wonder and joy is that we can be in relationship.

Desires

What ARE your desires? Are they only carnal/secular? Will God answers these? (The answer is... I think it depends on what those desires are.)

 

   "Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your

    heart." [Psalm 37:4]

   "And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they

    think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like

    them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him."

    [Matthew 6:7-8]

   "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on

    your pleasures ...  Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity

    with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself

    an enemy of God." [James 4: 3-4]

Actually... yes, these scriptures are related and expand our understanding. First: the Father knows our needs also needs separate from wants, though not all wants are necessarily wrong. Second: we are told to ask. AND we are 'warned' why our requests aren't always answered thus giving us a context in which and how to ask. I think the asking should be according to the Word, which tells us what. The asking is not begging. The Lord tells us in Hebrews to come boldly... for help in time of need. But I also think He doesn't mind when our coming is for a 'want'. 

Desires. That's a plural word probably because we have plural desires. But don't mistake wants for desires though wants can be the first step in becoming a desire. According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia desire is defined as: 

    "to long for," "to ask for," "to demand," and may be used in a good or bad
     sense".

I really don't have much disagreement with this definition until we see... 'to demand'. Very uncomfortable with that. But it also makes us stop and think... how do we present our wants, our desires our needs???? Is there a note of demand? I do believe that a want can 'grow' into a desire but there are also differences. Is a desire ever only a want? More important - how do You define the words? One thing I am confident of is that the presenting the need/want/desire should never be a demand.

Back to desire(s), What do you do about yours? Do you ask the Lord? Do you try and stuff them down? Do you try and distance yourself from them? What's YOUR response?  Repeating the first scripture:

   "Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your

    heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, ..." [Psalm 37: 4-5] 

The answer: Delight, Commit, Trust. When you do these things then you will be asking according to His will and whatever He gives... it will be spot on. Focus. When our focus is on the Lord then our intent will follow suit which will define our desires. What are you looking at???  and for???

WHO you are...

I did NOT say... WHO are you! I'm asking... who you are - now and becoming?

Since you have accepted Jesus' invitation and made Him your Lord... do you know who YOU are? Just like there are many roles you play in your secular life, you have spiritual roles as well. Such as? Well you are: a child of God, you are a soldier in His army, you've been made a co-heir with Christ, you've been given a gift from the Lord for ministry (not necessarily professional ministry), but we ALL are called to ministry - for the equipping of the Body (of which you are now a member). Those are some of the roles that are now yours to learn about, work on (remember the Lord has prepared work for us to do... and it's not 'make' work), grow in, enjoy and share, etc.

Are you surprised at you? Are you pleased with what you see? Do you know what you want or need to do next... and how to do that? To repeat me: yes, the Lord saved us just as we are, right where we are. However, I don't think He ever planned on us staying in the same spot. I think He has plans for us and our opportunities to touch lives is far greater than we imagine. All we need do is to turn to Him each morning to discover if He has plans in the day for us.

   "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of

    peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." [Jeremiah 29:11]

   "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which

    God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." [Ephesians 2:10]

Both verses affirm that saving us was the first of many steps. When you take the step of asking Jesus to be Your Lord you open doors that you didn't even know existed and opportunities to touch lives regardless if you are a seed planter, a waterer, or a harvester - all are important and have a part of the process. Look at your own life. Someone planted the seed even though you may not have recognized it as such... someone added (watered) to this by sharing their experiences ... and someone helped you to accept the Lord's invitation (harvest). Even if your born again experience was all by yourself, those acts were also evident to help you decide. It is always your decision.

So now the question is... growing. Are you growing? By this I mean are you reading and studying the Word, praying, fellowshipping. All these acts are part of our maturing. I'm going to share scripture that tells us we need to grow, how to grow, and the results.

   "... as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow     

    thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. [i Peter 2: 2-3]

   "...but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..."

   [2 Peter 3:18]

   "Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us

    go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead

    works and of faith toward God," [Hebrews 6:1]

   "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach

    you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need

    milk and not solid food.  For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in

    the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.  But solid food belongs to those

    who are [b]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [c]use have their senses

    exercised to discern both good and evil." [Hebrews 5:12-14]

  "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you

   not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are

   disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified."

   [2 Corinthians 13:5-7]

The reason, purpose for our growing is so that we can take our place, our role described in Ephesians 4:13-16

   "... till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of

    God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

    that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with

    every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of

    deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things

    into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit

    together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by

    which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying

    of itself in love.'

See! Growing is for you... but it is also to aid you in fulfilling your ministry responsibility in sharing your gift with the body. YOU always determine who you are. And it is seen by what you share.

Eyes that see... Ears that hear... A Heart that understands

I’ve heard of eyes that see and ears that hear, but a heart that understands…? We read in many places in scripture about eyes and ears. Obviously, they are important. But how much do we really know about an understanding heart? We read about the meditations being acceptable or create a new heart in me. But I believe the heart has a much more significant role than we sometimes think. 

   "I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man

    according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings." [Jeremiah 17:10]   

   "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an

    evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the

    abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." [Luke 6:45]

I've added the, 'A Heart that understands' because an understanding heart is important. Though there are over 50 verses concerning an understanding heart, these are the most oft quoted ones: 

Matthew 6:21        Proverbs 3:5        Proverbs 4:23        Romans 12:2

Proverbs 23:26      Psalms 51:10       Psalms 73:26         Philippians 4:7

As you can see from these particular verses... heart and understanding are highly related. We do speak from the riches of our hearts... it's time that we realize this. The scripture that tells us to store up treasures where they won't be threatened is also meant to tell us the importance of our heart and how it enables understanding. 

Now consider the parable of the sower in light of heart and understanding:

   "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then

    the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is

    he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony

    places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet

    he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or

    persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.  Now he

    who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares

    of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes

    unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the

    word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a

    hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” [Matthew 13: 19-23, NKJV]

Obviously, we want to be those who are good ground. Sooooo how do we become 'good ground'? How do we have ears that hear and eyes that see?  One way is to look at ourselves the way God does:

   "... For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance,

    but the Lord looks on the heart.” [1 Samuel 16: 7]

   "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword,

    piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and

    discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." [Hebrews 4:12]

In just 2 verses we see 2 powerful ways that reinforce our need for an understanding heart. When we cultivate our eyes and ears and heart, then I think we please the Lord. You are never finished with this... perhaps the issue is to begin.? It is a worthwhile endeavor, a mindset that directs us - a lifestyle.

Sustenance

You feel hungry… you get something to eat. Afterward you feel better - yes? While we may cheat and have snack food too often, we also eat 'what's good for us' as well. If we didn't attend to this need, simply... we would starve. What about your spirit? Have you even thought about feeding it? Are you listening? Does it tell you - I'm hungry? Do you tell it - “2 more days and it’s Sunday and then you can receive some food”? How do you think your body would react if you treated it the same way? 7 days between feedings! Malnutrition! In this case... YOUR spiritual malnutrition. If you feed your body every day, and we do, why don't you also feed your spirit? Or, don’t you think your spirit needs feeding? Do you know what and how you need to feed your spirit? The answer - the Word of God. 

If you say you feed your spirit by reading a Christian book… or listening to a podcast by a well respected pastor… or watching a Christian program, all good and should be part of your daily spirit feeding. Remember though, our eating habits, when it comes to our body it isn't just one thing... it includes proteins, vegs, fruit, etc. So apply this principle to spiritual feeding makes sense. BUT if you aren’t starting with and including reading scripture then all those other ‘good’ things don’t have a foundation for understanding. 

The Bible IS your filter for understanding and growth… isn’t it? You aren’t your filter - are you? Your friend isn’t? If the Bible isn’t then how strong is your filter and how trustworthy? Have you ever asked yourself: 1. Why is the Bible the main target of attack by unbelievers? 2. Why did God make certain that His people had a Bible in the first place? What's the purpose for scripture? 

   "But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured

    of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you

    have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation

    through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of

    God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in

    righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for

    every good work." [2 Timothy 3: 14-17. NKJV]

All Scripture, inspiration of God, profitable...  kinda covers everything, doesn't it? Does this also convince you how important reading and meditating on scripture is for your nourishment of your spirit???  You can read from a developed plan, you can use your own method. You can start anywhere because it ALL is important. Don't be misled that the Old Testament isn't necessary - it's the basis of understanding the New Testament. And it is continually quoted in the New Testament.

Do you have any idea how often the Bible is referred to as food, as ‘bread’? We humans don’t always get things right even with the best of intentions - the Bible ALWAYS does. Sometimes though, we need to hear what we read.

  

   “Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to stay

    alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.”. 

    [Matthew 4:4. MSG]

These words were spoken by Jesus when He was temple by the devil after 40 days in the desert following His baptism. 'It is written' is a powerful weapon in our arsenal to defeat the devil in our lives. The Message states this strongly... 'words from God's mouth'! However... this can't happen if we don't have the Word in us to defeat the devil. Seems like a very logical reason to hide the Word in our hearts. The Word is sustenance for our spirit.

Everything

There’s a love song that Nat King Cole use to sing - “You’re my everything “. The word ‘everything’ started me thinking about relationships. This then led me to our relationship with the Lord… is He our everything? How would He, we know? Have you ever sang a love song to the Lord? No, not preposterous. He's done that for us! How so I know? Scripture is a love song... how many times does He tell us about love, how to love? Perhaps the question I need to ask is: how do you define 'everything' and do you apply this to relationships?

I sometimes think we only judge value, importance, etc. on the basis of time spent - quantity. When it comes to relationships - do we also focus only on quantity (self-defined) rather than quality? And yes, quantity includes multitasking in the worst definition of the word - when\if we apply this word to our time with the Lord. Distractions also intrude... primarily because we let them. While the Lord is with us always and is available always, there are 'special times' each day that we (should) spend (just) with Him. These times should be 'our' times. Scripture tells us that God looks on our hearts - multitasking is not applicable. 

But back to my initial question - is the Lord your (my) everything? How do we know - apart from quantity? Do we give Him our everything? Do we ‘allow’ Him access to all, everything good/bad/indifferent that is us? Do we give Him time to become involved in our everything? Do we look to Him as our everything? How? When? Yes, a lot of questions to ponder… but it really is important (far more than we realize). Look at the word ‘everything’ - this encompasses ALL, nothing eliminated no matter how small. The word kind of defines itself - if it’s everything then nothing is left behind, not seen.

Once you wrap your head around that - then what do you do? One of the first things is to look at the Bible with new understanding eyes. The Bible becomes more than a manual it becomes your life script, your source of answers, your source to grow from, your comfort, etc.

   “All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for

    instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to

    obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s

    will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity

    and moral courage]; so that the man of God may be complete and proficient,

    outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work." [2 Timothy 3: 16-17] 

 

Do you see anything that's missing from these 2 verses? We have the Bible as a constant aid. And those words were written for you, it is your answer to every question. Too much for you? Why? You aren't expected to know everything all at once, the moment you accepted Jesus as your Lord. We all are in a process of becoming. Process. The point is to be engaged in your own growth and your choice of 'teaching tools' is critical. However, there is also another scripture to rely on as you continue.

   "I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good

    work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ

    Jesus [the time of His return]." [Philippians 1:6] 

This is for/about YOU. It also should tell you that the Lord is doing EVERYTHING He is allowed by you to do for you. There's another verse that supports this thinking.

   "For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans

    for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

   Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your

    voice] and I will listen to you." ]Jeremiah 29: 11-12]

 

How's that for a promise! Where could you get a promise that would be more inclusive, extensive, and with a proven track record? Nowhere. This is the God of the universe telling YOU what 'everything' is that He will do. 

   "...indeed men swear [an oath] by [a]one greater than themselves, and with

    them [in all disputes] the oath serves as confirmation [of what has been said]

    and is an end of the dispute. In the same way God, in His desire to show to the

    heirs of the promise the unchangeable nature of His purpose, intervened and

    guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things [His

    promise and His oath] in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who

    have fled [to Him] for refuge would have strong encouragement and indwelling

    strength to hold tightly to the hope set before us. 

    This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it

    cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—

    a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple,

    that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells] ..."  

    [Hebrews 6: 16-19]

Everything means EVERYTHING. It is our privilege to, with open hands, give Him our everything. Actually, He knows what our partnership can accomplish far better than we know, and by bringing our everything He will help us BE fruitful which is our best everything.