Whom are you seeking?

 We spend a lot of time looking or seeking for things. We desire many things, spiritually and physically.  We seek after better health, more money, friendships, relationships, and many other things that are good and some not so good. Spiritually, we seek after blessings, gifts of Spirit, wisdom, or even signs of filling of the Holy Ghost. I have heard and seen many seek after the things of God. This is all good. These are benefits of knowing Him, but are we missing the mark?

Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

John 18:7 NKJV

When the Pharisees came to arrest Jesus, he asked them twice whom they were seeking. They were looking for him. The wanted Jesus, of course, not for the right reasons. They still sought him.

But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Deuteronomy 4:29 NKJV

We are to seek Him and Him alone.  We need to seek Him with all our heart and soul. There is no greater thing we can seek that God himself. Jesus gave us personal access through His sacrifice and resurrection. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He is above all. He is Almighty God. He is love. He is peace. He is our strength. He is our creator and our Savior. He should be our everything. He should be the One we are passionate about. The One who consumes us and our greatest desire.  

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33 KJV

When we seek Him first and above all else, everything we need is taken care of in this world and spiritually.  Too many times,  we seek an aspect of Him rather than just seeking him. We seek a sign or just a little blessing when he wants us to desire Him. We may want a healing  or an answer to a prayer. We may even ask for a sign, for abilities, or a gift of the spirit. These are all good things, but are those becoming our passion rather than the One who gives them? Our hearts must be fastened on Jesus. 

An example in the Bible comes in Acts chapter 8.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,  Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.  But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Acts 8:18‭-‬22 KJV

When Simon saw the Holy Ghost fall on the believers he wanted that power so much that he wanted to buy it.  He did not understand the truth that he really needed to seek God. Peter told him his heart was not right. Our hearts may not be right. I am not saying we are wrong to desire gifts or things of God because he did tell us to desire the best gifts. But when the gift is of more importance than Him, we have misplaced our desire on a part of the benefits of knowing Him rather than just knowing Him. He is all we could ever need.  All the other stuff comes when we know Jesus and seek Him above all else.  

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on  You, Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3 NKJV

So I examine my own heart. Whom or what am I seeking?  Am I seeking God or just a benefit? I want to keep my eyes stayed on Him. My only real desire is to know Him.  I want to trust Him for everything else. My heart will cry, "I only want You, God!" When we keep Him first, he will provide all the benefits we need in the spiritual and in the physical. We can truly trust that he is doing what is best for us for He is good. When He is the center, he will lead us, use us, protect us, and give us the desires of our heart.  Seek Him first.

Just a little thing?

 When you start to bake, it's really important to pay attention to the amount of each ingredient that goes into the recipe. Just a little bit of the wrong thing can change the recipe or ruin it.  Just a little too much salt can ruin your whole recipe.  I remember as a kid making cookies and accidentally putting way too much salt. The cookies were ruined. No one wanted to eat them. Spiritually, the same thing is true. We can allow just a small thing to enter into our heart or our mind that will cause our whole heart and her whole mind to not be right with God.

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

Song of Solomon 2:15 KJV

A little fox can  spoil the vine as mentioned here in Solomon. What this means is that a small thing can destroy something much larger. We might partake of something so small and not realize the full effect that it could have on our lives. The Bible tells us to guard our hearts for from it come the issues of life.

Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

Proverbs 4:23 AMP

What we allow to come into our hearts and our mind affects what we think and believe. One small thing can come in and create unbelief and doubt that changes the way we see ourselves and God. Sin comes mostly from unbelief. When we allow a small bit of unbelief or doubt to enter in, it changes our entire perspective.

Put away from you a deceitful (lying, misleading) mouth, And put devious lips far from you.  Let your eyes look directly ahead [toward the path of moral courage] And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you [toward the path of integrity].  Consider well and watch carefully the path of your feet, And all your ways will be steadfast and sure.

Proverbs 4:24‭-‬26 AMP

Just a small seed of unbelief can grow and affect a whole life. We must be diligent in guarding our hearts from anything that will take us away from the truth of who God is. We can see that we must keep our eyes looking directly ahead and our gaze fixed straight. Our ways will be steadfast and sure when we keep our eyes fixed on the truth of who Jesus is.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. There is no other way that we can live a truly successful and blessed life than to know Jesus as our Savior. Anything that comes in and tries to convince us that he is not the truth , we must put away and not allow it into our hearts. We must keep ourselves aware of anything that tells us otherwise, cast it away from us quickly and immediately. I recently read a story about him father who was trying to show his children this truth. He made brownies and they were so excited to have the brownies, but before he let them eat them, he told them he had included a surprise ingredient. He told them it was just a small amount. They probably would even notice it. He had included a small spoonful of dog poop. His children were shocked and said they would not eat the brownies. He said, "Why not? You won't notice it." They still refuse to eat the brownies and wondered why he did such a thing. He explained that just a small amount of something can taint and ruin a whole batch. His point was made that our souls are also affected by a small amount of any sinful thing that we allowed to enter. We must guard our hearts and our minds from any sinful thing, no matter how small it seems, that attempts to distract us from serving God.

 There's an old song that we used to sing as children that said, "oh be careful little eyes what you see." This song taught me at a young age that what comes into your eyes and our ears can affect our heart. It reminds me that we must guard our hearts and minds from the things that we see in here because it will affect us in greater ways than we realize. God knew this so he put it in his word. We can be aware to guard our hearts and minds. What enters our eyes and our ears should always be what will build us up. We  need to pray that God will keep us and protect us from all things. We need to ask God for Wisdom and discernment about what we listen to, observe, and partake in. We need to guard against little seeds of sin that may attempt to plant themselves and grow in our hearts. Rather, plant the Word of God and may it bring forth His fruit. 

Why?

 Have you ever asked God, "Why?"  I have many times. I asked him why I have had difficulties and hardships. I asked him why my mother passed in a car wreck. I asked him why my son was born with a birth defect. I asked him why when we have had financial struggles. I have asked why others have suffered. I have asked why certain bad things have happened. I have recently asked why about coronavirus.  I have asked this question many times. I have even asked why he made creation the way it is and people the way we are. Each time I ask why, he always responds with this question to me?

"Do you trust me?"

I have learned that when I wonder why, especially the hard things, it is really my own reaction of worry and mistrust in that moment. My fear takes over. 

Isaiah 55:8‭-‬9  says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord .  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

God is not mean or unfeeling but he created us with a plan in mind for each and every one of us for a purpose. He has a path for us to walk. This life is not perfect on this earth.  He knows that too. These earthly bodies are bound by natural laws and are really temporary homes for our souls.  The journey on this earth is different for each of us with joy and sorrow, pain, grief, pleasure and thrill. God knows how to take each part of our lives and use it for His purpose and glory to be revealed in us. 

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord , that he might be glorified.

Isaiah 61:3 KJV

We go through seasons of heartache and pain. Some may seem to last longer than we think we can endure. But God has healing waiting. His joy comes, his praise lifts us. He is glorified. 

In Psalms chapter 30 we can read that weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning. We face trials and struggles but I know God is faithful and God is just.  He loves us and has nothing but good for us. He is a good God. 

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalms 100:5 KJV

I can answer the question God speaks to me when I ask, "Why?" I can say say, "Yes, I will trust You."  Is it always easy?  No. But does it always bring me peace and hope? Yes, yes is does. Do I always understand the reasons behind the trial and struggle? No, I do not. I have learned that some things are better left in His hands. He knows and that is enough for me. Other times, the reasons behind the situation is revealed and I am grateful and thankful that God knew all along what I needed and for his hand working things for my good.  No matter the season, I can trust my Lord for He is always good. His purpose is not one of comfort and ease here in the temporary. He is looking after our souls with eternity in mind. He has a greater value and plan that leads us to eternity. He can take every situation and use it for our good, for the good of others, for the perfecting of his saints, or to reach a soul that is lost. His purpose is more than we can think or understand in this natural life.

Even when we face uncertainty, loss, pain, and the fear of the unknown, we can place our faith and hope in the goodness of God knowing His purpose and plan is to reveal himself to us and draw us nearer to His will. He loves us and has no greater purpose than to bring us home to eternity. 

For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

James 1:11‭-‬12 KJV

We will fade away in the natural. We will face our eternity. We will endure others heading to eternity before us. Trials will occur in this life. When our hearts want to cry out, "Why?" we can turn our hearts and our face toward heaven. We can place all our faith in the Master's loving hand and declare, "I will trust You. No matter what may be, I will trust you." 

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6 KJV

The next time I ask God, "why?" I know he will again ask, "Do you trust me?" My answer is, "Yes, Lord. I will trust you. In the face of every struggle, moment of fear, defeat, and tears, I will trust You!"  Joy always comes in the morning. His direction path is before me. I will walk on with my faith growing  and my trust in Him.

 

help me understand

 So often, we think we know what we need and how to get it. We rely completely on our own skills and talents. We rely on our own ways of doing things. We think we can find our own way to solve a problem or fix a situation. When we try to rely on ourselves, we inevitably find out we are truly unable to fix everything or solve everything. We sometimes make things worse and even add to our problems with our human wisdom and frailty. 

Only God can fix or solve everything. I think about the woman in the Bible who had an issue of blood. She had tried everything and spent all she had on doctors and whatever cure they had recommended.  She had spent 12 years suffering. She heard about Jesus and rushed to meet him. She only wanted to touch him. Her faith in his ability to heal was rewarded when she touched the hem of his garment. Healing flooded through  her immediately and she knew she was healed. Fear flooded through her as Jesus turned around and asked " Who touched me?" As she made herself known, Jesus was faithful and good. He reassured her, encouraged her and confirmed the healing for her.  Jesus had the answer for her.

Make me understand the way of Your precepts, So that I will meditate (focus my thoughts) on Your wonderful works. Psalms 119:27 AMP

This verse, along with several others in Psalms 119 remind me that we need to seek God and his wisdom more than anything. We need to seek understanding of God's ways and His will for us. We find that by seeking him. We can learn of him in the Word for He is the Word. We can learn of him in prayer. We can learn of him in church and fellowship. We can learn of him as we share him with others and place our faith fully in him. We need to think on the things of God. 

I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Psalms 119:16 KJV

When we find delight in His Word, we will follow His will and hide his word in our hearts. 

Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Proverbs 8:33 KJV

God gave us direction and instruction in His Word. He will speak to us and lead us if we listen and choose to follow him.  Too many times, we forget to seek him first before making decisions. We actually think we know what to do. We forget how much we need God.  I have done this so many times. When I finally go to Him and place it in his hands, he works it out faster and much better than I ever could. I have learned it is so much easier to go straight to Him first. He already knows what I need and how it will be accomplished. He is the answer. He will work it out. I just need to keep myself in the center of His will, safe in His hands, and ready to obey his word.  

There is a way that  seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. Proverbs 16:25

We can make such a mess when we try to do life without God. People have forgotten to go to God.  We can look around this world and see the results of man's way.  We try to figure it all out, when God already has the answer. We do not know the future or what tomorrow holds. We do not know the outcome of our actions. God does. We need to kneel before God and ask him for understanding. We need to always go to Him first. He has healing and deliverance waiting for us. He has answers for all our needs. He is waiting to untangle the mess we have made and give us peace that passes all understanding. 

And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Luke 8:10 KJV

He will help us understand and help us live the life He has for us. Run to Him, lay it all at his feet and He will make all things new. He can take our mess and give us back blessing. He is good. We may not always understand it all, but we can understand more of God and how much he loves us. We can know more of his character and His goodness. He can help us understand his peace and freedom. He has more blessing than we can ever know without him. Call on Him today for His understanding. He will give what we desire. 

you can't have my Father's sheep

 I was thinking about David when he was a young boy. David was given a responsibility. He was sent out to take care of his father's sheep. He was out in the field and at some point a lion came in to take the sheep and David relied on God to help him kill that lion. Another time a bear came to attack the sheep. Again, David relied on God's help to defeat that bear and protect the sheep. He was not going to allow anything to take or destroy those sheep. When David ended up on the battlefield he saw Goliath, the Philistine giant, mocking and laughing at the Israelites. He was appalled by the giant's mockery and the inability of any one to stand up to this giant. Even King Saul was afraid to face that giant. David stood up for God's people, God's sheep. He faced that giant in the name of the Lord and with God's help defeated Goliath and brought victory to the Israelites. 

I think as a parent, I have been given responsibility over my children's souls. I am to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.(Ephesians 6:4) I am to teach them who Jesus is and show them how to live a life in obedience to the Gospel.  I am also to protect their souls. I can do this by praying for them, first and foremost. Prayer will bring about a spiritual effect that nothing I can ever say or do will have in the physical world. Prayer can change the outcome of any situation. I can also guide and at times discipline my own children to help them along life's path. I will fight for their souls. I will not allow the enemy to influence them by being a greater influence on them. I will fight for them in prayer. 

Hebrews 10:24-25

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

As I read this scripture, I am also seeing that we as Christians can consider others and lead them or spur them on toward love and good deeds. We can encourage one another and lift up one another. We are to be a support to our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to help one another reach toward the goal. We have the goal of heaven and we have the goal of living our lives in accordance with the will of God. When we see a fellow Christian struggling, we can pray for them and intercede in prayer. (Romans 8:26-27). We can speak words of encouragement and guidance to those who need it. We can bring scriptures to remembrance and share testimonies of God's deliverance and faithfulness. We need one another to strengthen and uplift each other. 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

I am not willing to allow the enemy to claim a brother or sister in Christ without giving him a fight. I will fight for them in prayer and in reaching out to them. I will urge them to reach for love and reach for God. I will not allow the enemy to take one of my Father's sheep without a fight. 

Let us fight for one another. Let us come together in unity and encourage one another. Let us come together in love for one another that the world may know that we are his disciples. 

John 13:34-35

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

mosaic

Have you ever taken the time to look at a mosaic?  It amazes me how much a mosiac can tell you how to live.  To make a mosaic, the pieces are broken, shaped and placed carefully by the hand of the artist. The little pieces in and of themselves may not be beautiful, but as part of the whole, they add beauty and depth.  They each have a place in a whole beautiful picture.  Each piece must be there to create the entire effect.  Each piece must work together for the whole image to be perfect. The artist gets that, the pieces may not understand it.  The pieces have to trust the artist to do it right.  I guess that is just like us, we have to trust God to get it right.  We have to trust He is shaping others just like he is shaping us to use us in the mosaic to create a beautiful picture.  We have to work right in the place He puts us because He sees the big picture when we can't.

in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,

Ephesians 2:21 NKJV

We are part of something God is creating.  We need to allow God to work on us and mold us to fit into the calling He has for us. 

And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord . “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!

Jeremiah 18:4‭-‬6 NKJV

We are being shaped and corrected when we submit to God's will. His plan for us is to change and become more like Him. We need to allow God to change us and shape us. He will speak to us, remove things we don't need, and add what we do need. We need to trust Him even when it doesn't make any sense. The clay does not tell the potter how to do the job, or what it wants to be.  The clay is to be malleable and foldable. The potter works the clay to remove impurities and make it workable. Trust His process, because in the end, the clay turns out beautiful and functional. It is turned into something useful with purpose. I want to be useful to God for His purpose. 

Just like a mosaic, we are each being changed and maybe even broken a little to be fit into the Kingdom of God. Place you life in His hands so He can fulfill His purpose in your life.

what am I known for?

What are you known for?  I think we all wonder at times about that question and it may even change as time goes by. We may be known for doing a job well or for our attitude. We may be known for an event in our lives or how we treat others. I don't always really know what I am known for, but I know what I want to be known for. I want to be known as a child of God. 

Paul wrote to the church at Philippi about what he hoped to see and hear about them.

Philippians 1:27-28 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but [f]to you of salvation, and that from God.

This is the reputation Paul prayed the Christians at Philippi would have. He wanted them to be known for their standing in unity together and working together in faith. He did not want them to be afraid but to be known as saved as only God can save. What a reputation!  He wanted them to reflect the saving grace of God, be able to stand together in unity and in faith. He wanted them to be known as Christ-like by fulfilling the work that God had called them to do. Paul wanted their reputation to be like his own as well. Paul was known as a preacher of the gospel, bold in faith, and never backing down. 

I also want a reputation of faith and being a reflection of Christ. I want others to see Christ in me by the way I talk, by my actions, and by my love of God and others. I want it said that I spoke Christ to others, showed Christ to others and lived what I believed. I want my faith to be reflected in all I do and how I live. I want the Word of God to be permeated in every action I make and every word I speak. I am far from where I want to be but I pray that God will lead me and direct my path. I pray He will reveal to me my shortcomings and change me to be more like Him. I want His Spirit to reign over my soul and my own desires. I need Him to take charge of my heart and my mind. Is this easy? No. But is it worth it? Yes!  God needs to have complete control of me. I choose to surrender every part of me to His will. 

Proverbs 22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,

Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

I want to be known as a child of God and all He stands for. I want to stand for Him in faith and love. I want my reputation to be a reflection of God in my life. I choose to serve the Lord.  I want my reputation to come from Him and what He is doing in my life.