Heaven Keeps Count

Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.

Now Jesus was telling the disciples a parable to make the point that at all times they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart,

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also.

Blessed [joyful, nourished by God's goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.

Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

The [reverent] fear of the LORD [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence], and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.

I love the Lord, because He hears and continues to hear my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.

Let my prayer be counted as incense before You; the lifting up of my hands as the evening offering.

In my distress [when I seemed surrounded] I called upon the Lord and cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry for help came before Him, into His ears.

For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown for His name in ministering to [the needs of] the saints (God's people), as you do.

Not that I seek the gift itself, but I do seek the profit which increases to your [heavenly] account [the blessing which is accumulating for you]. But I have received everything in full and more; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent—a sweet fragrance, an acceptable sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights.

You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?

They who sow in tears shall reap with joyful singing. He who goes back and forth weeping, carrying his bag of seed [for planting], will indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in.

Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].

be unceasing and persistent in prayer;

Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.