Seek After God

Matthew 7:7-11

Jesus said: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”

There is no way of describing the greatness of God. His mercy and grace are beyond all measure. His nature consists of generosity, love, kindness, patience, faithfulness, and everything that is good! In the beginning, He created a paradise for man, a perfection that cannot even be imagined, but when man turned away from God, all creation was tainted by sin. Amazingly, God never turned His back upon man. As a parent nourishes, cherishes, and comforts his beloved child, so God also cares for His children. Although we have no worth in ourselves, God gifts us with the righteousness of His very own Son. If we need Him, He is always there. If we are scared, He will lift us unto His high tower. If we are suffering, He will wipe away our tears. He is our comfort, our shield, our strength, and our shelter in every storm. But of everything that He bestows upon His children, the greatest of all is His love. He has given the ultimate love sacrifice - His life. And He gave it for such a sinner as you and me. He loved us before we ever knew Him. So call upon the God of Heaven day and night, in joy and in sadness, no matter what the reason, for He yearns to draw near to you!

To Follow Christ's Love

Matthew 20:28

"And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Love came in the form of a man (Matthew 20:28). Christ's love knows no limits or boundaries, it holds no prejudice or selfish gain; instead, love is kind, patient, honest but gentle, disciplinary but forgiving (1 Corinthians 13). Not just for men who are easy to care for, but also for those who may treat you unjustly or judge you unfairly (Matthew 5:43-45). Love forgives and saves a relationship. Love brings life and light to a matter and ends despair and hatred. Christ's love shines through the message of salvation; therefore, every believer can light the world around him by letting Christ's love live and shine through him as he lets the gospel message take hold of his heart every day and strives to show the world the love he experiences by the amazing grace of God (Matthew 5:16). Love is a shoulder to cry on, a helping hand in need, a listening ear in sorrow. God is all of those for us, isn't it time we followed His example?

Faith - A Life's Journey After Christ

James 1:22,25 
"But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves... one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does."

In today's society it is common for many people to get up on Sunday mornings, go to church, listen to a sermon, pack up the kids, and go back home. Many people believe that there is a God, but often He is no more than just an idea, or an impersonal Being somewhere out there in the universe. Although they may say they have faith in God, what does their faith consist of?

What is true faith in God? Is it simply a belief that there is a God? James 2:19 states: "You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder." Not only do demons believe in God, they also have great respect and awe of His power. But demons are condemned to live a life of rejection and eternal separation from God. 

So what does faith in God consist of? Although there are many things that can be said about godly faith, it all comes down to three essential points:

1) Acknowledging that you have done/said/thought something that is contrary to God's Word, which makes you a sinner in need of God's mercy.

2) Trusting that the blood that Christ shed on the cross was the perfect sacrifice for our sins and that in confessing our sins before God and accepting His gift of righteousness through His Son Jesus Christ, He can forgive us completely of our sins.

3) Living out your faith with a genuine response of obedience to God's Word, not for means of salvation or merit in God's eyes, but in a desire to serve Him with every part of your life.

Faith isn't just belief, faith isn't a compilation of human works. Faith is a response to God's calling for salvation and a daily act of worship and service in the sight of God. A life lived for Christ will evidence His will and desires. We, as born-again believers, must let Christ's light and spirit of service shine through us. We are His hands and feet. We must run to those in need, and we must lift up those who have fallen.

So when you go to a church service on Sunday morning, remember that the sermon isn't finished until you have applied it to your own personal spiritual life. Live out your faith as you follow the footprints of Christ.

Our Solid Rock in Every Storm

Matthew 7:24
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." 

In the midst of a storm, all of our once solid dreams begin to crumble around our feet. We are helpless to stop the storm, and we can only stand back and watch as its fury starts to wash away all of our hope.

But as the storms of life pound at the walls we have erected around us, and as they endeavor to destroy all we've worked for, we can have hope and joy knowing that there is One who is above all else, One who controls the storm, and One who will lift us unto a high place! Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

No longer must we fear, no longer must we cry out in despair! Trials will come, even unto our own doorstep, but God is greater than any storm that life may bring! He will keep us and provide us with everything we will need to conquer the hard place we find ourselves in. When we are in the desert, He will provide shade and water; when we have fallen, He will lift us up and carry us; when we turn and run to Him, He will take us by the hand and walk beside us every single step of the way. Never must a Christian fear what the future may bring, for "... we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God..." Romans 8:28

So when tempests come, and when the winds beat against your door, turn to the Word of God that you have hidden in your heart. You will find strength and perseverance to go out in the Lord's name and He will shield you and keep you. He is your Rock, unmovable in the midst of an ever changing world. 

Darkness of Despair; Radiance of Hope

Death is but a new beginning, but pain of the soul and spirit is deadlier than venom. Despair, darker than the grave.

It is hard to have faith in something you can’t see, and harder still to trust that all things are going to work out for the better good. “Lean not upon your own understanding.” powerful words. Worlds can be turned around by what seems so trivial. Lives can change with a few small words. Despair tears, kills, suffocates, strangles the very spirit; destroying all hope. But true hope is found in the Lord and we must always remember to trust in Him and in Him only. His paths are straighter than our own, His knowledge surpasses all others and His love is the greatest of all. For One such as Him to die for a sinner like me on Calvary’s tree, His love passes all understanding. And the day He takes me home is the day He shows the true extent of His love. I can feel His love now in others, in nature, in my very soul. I can see His great love in the acts surrounding me, the beautiful creation of God. I can hear His love, by the mouths of His servants encouraging, lifting others up from their own dismal despair. But that day that I shall see His face clearly with my restored eyes is the day I behold the perfect, sinless, unfailing love of a Saviour who shall never leave nor forsake me. Pain, despair, and suffering are real, but if you truly let go of them within your soul, God can fill your heart with hope, love, joy, and the peace of knowing that He shall never leave you. If the Lord loves a sinner so much as to die for him, do you not think He will also love him enough to have a perfect future planned for that beloved soul? Glory and Praise be unto God our Father forever and ever. Amen.

If your way looks dark and fearful
Your past, lonely and tearful
Turn your eyes to the Saviour above
Who will comfort and light your way in love

The Great Depths of My Father's Love!

Psalm 34:4-6, 8, 15-18

“I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who trusts in him. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

The righteous cry out and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”

He makes the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the dumb to speak. His breath upon the soul gives life and purpose for everyday. I was lost, not sure which direction I was going to take; I was tired, so tired of trying, failing, and feeling so incomplete. But I cried out to my Saviour, prayed for anything, something. I was dead to Him, all feelings gone, save despair. I left all in His hands, my life, my very life… Freedom, peace, love. Oh, the love! The Lord is so good, so full and wonderful. I've only scratched the surface of life with my Saviour. I've seen His footprints, His shadow, a glimpse of His shining radiance. But I have eternity to learn the depths and great expanse of His greatness and love. And one day, oh glorious day, I shall behold the face of love. Look into the eyes of compassion, searching, and fiery judgment. Oh Lord, Yours is the face I seek. Father, may I be only Yours forever. You are my God, my Father, my Saviour. May I glorify You!

Trusting God in the Midst of Sorrows

I’m not sure the sense of loss ever goes away. God gives strength and purpose every day, but even so, pain flairs up and if not pungent is still in the background ready to creep up when the mind is unoccupied.
 
Some may say this pain is a sign of distrust or subtotal reliance on God. And though perhaps sometimes that may be true, I wonder if God made us so that the emotions we have linger. He does not do this to be cruel, even though some days it may feel that way, but through the pain and suffering God often teaches us His lessons. You learn to search for answers and relief, and when relief is not found in outside sources, we realize God is the only one who can bring true fulfillment. So instead of lingering on the pain and the despair that it can bring, take the pain to the Lord and ask Him for what purpose this pain lingers on. Some days it may be still and silent, but if you listen beyond the beat of your own heart, you can hear the Spirit’s gently whispered words. Along with His comfort and the lending of a listening ear, He tells you what you did wrong or why perhaps He brought this situation to pass. But when you receive no answers, even though you are in tune with God’s own heart, that is the time that God is teaching you the greatest lesson ever told. He, though silent to our ears, is telling us, “Trust, trust in Me my child. Give Me your hand and I shall lead thee beside still waters. Entrust your heart to Me and I shall guide you on the path of the righteous and make your ways straight.”
 
Even when the pain is bearing down and the roaring waters drown out all other feelings and hopes, God’s words still shines out, with one word clearer and more beautiful than any other – Trust. For that simple word holds the key to the future.
  
Praise the ever loving Father above who looks down on His children in love, and trust in Him whether the path be strewn with thorns, or paved smooth by His loving hand.

Patience and True Joy

Isaiah 26:3,4
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord always, for in YAH the Lord is everlasting strength.”

When times became hard, it was so easy for me to fall into depression and despair, and I started to resign myself to the events going on in my life; however, God hadn’t planned for me to simply sit back, feel depressed, and moan over the various trials.  Instead, He expected me to learn something and to grow as a Christian.  Many lessons have been taught to me, but the one that I have needed every day and sometimes every hour is patience.

So what exactly is patience?  One day during my devotions, I found a description of patience that greatly inspired me.  It said, “Patience is the virtue that can endure, not simply with resignation, but with a vibrant hope.”  Vibrant hope?  That made me stop.  Sure, I had been able to accept my circumstances and I was trying to go on with regular life, but vibrancy and hope were not in my vocabulary at all.  To have enthusiasm for the future and excitement for God’s will was something I didn’t possess.  I was realizing very quickly that I didn’t have a very biblical outlook on patience.  I noticed how self-centered I was and how little I was trusting in the Lord.  Slowly, I started thinking more and more on God, trusting in Him, and looking forward to His will in my life, whatever that may be.

To be completely honest, even though I looked toward the future and was relying more on God, I still was not very happy.  Then I realized something else: Happiness, though good and wonderful to have, is not always going to be present in my life.  Happiness is so fleeting and dependent on circumstances.  Joy, on the other hand, is something that I can always have no matter what happens in life.  True joy comes from God.  Joy in His salvation, His continuous blessings, joy in knowing that He is always with me to comfort and uphold me.

1 Peter 1:8 states, “Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.”
 

Peace and joy, it all comes from the Lord.  I now know that God loves me so much that it is impossible to write it down.  I also realize that He has a perfect plan for me and that His plan is the best thing for me.  I have to admit that I still struggle with doubts and sometimes even depression, but one thing that I do know which will never change is – God’s love will never fail me.  His love will strengthen and uphold me no matter what trial or storm may come.

Joy is of the Lord
Poured upon the searching
Truth, not in excess of knowledge
But by faith, bestowed unto the believing

Sore Fingers or Sore Heart

“What?! I have to practice every single day?”
“Emily, if you don’t practice the piano every day you won’t improve your skills.” My mom explained patiently. And although I believed that my mom was a very smart person, I reasoned that she must be mistaken about this issue. Playing the piano every day would only give me sore fingers and a headache. So being the knowledgeable person I was at age eight, I concluded that practicing a few times a week was far more than enough time. After all, how hard could it be? After I learned the various notes, all I would need to do is play the right key with the correct timing. At the time I believed that my reasoning sounded perfectly reasonable, but I soon realized that to play anything consequential, I would need to work far more than I had previously planned.


In like manner, a unified relationship with God does not occur immediately but requires constant effort. However, many Christians fail to realize that continual time in the presence of God is vital for a meaningful relationship with Him. Just as I didn’t believe that practicing the piano every day was absolutely necessary to master the appropriate skills, so, in the same manner, many Christians believe spending time with God once or twice a week is sufficient enough for their spiritual needs. But as the months and years pass by, many believers begin to notice that their walk with the Lord is not maturing and also find that their joy and satisfaction in God are slowly diminishing. For when believers do not commune with the Lord, they deny themselves the nourishment of God’s word and in consequence, their relationship with God slowly becomes estranged and non-personal.

Christ has offered hope, however, when He stated,” … I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger…” Christ has provided all believers with the promise to satisfy their needs if they would come and trust in Him. However, God not only calls believers to trust in Him, but also calls them to draw near to Him, and in so doing He will also draw near to them, as is stated in James 4:8.

Therefore, a meaningful relationship with God does require effort, but if one truly desires a joyful and satisfying relationship with Him, he must grasp the opportunity to pursue personal time with God in order to draw closer to Him and also to nourish his spirit in His presence. God shall surely bless the time one spends with Him and will guide him on his life’s journey by bringing him closer to Himself and spiritual maturity.

When Wrong Looks Right

James 1:12-15

"Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."

Have you ever had that moment when you see something you really want and suddenly everything in the world seems to disappear except that one thing? You see it, you desire it, and you plan on how to get it. Now desire in itself isn't a bad thing, for God gives us desires for many things; it's a natural part of human nature. But when our desire is coupled with our sinful heart, desires can produce lust and covetousness, which is wanting something you can't have biblically or wanting something for the wrong reason. 


In James 1:12-17, it speaks of how all temptations we face are from our own natural desires. When those desires arise it is so easy to start thinking about them, wanting them, coveting them, justifying them, planning on how to get them, and then taking them sinfully. But it doesn't have to work like that, for we have a good and gracious God who desires that we live for His name and His glory. In v.17, James writes on how every good and perfect gift is from God. Our great God provides all our needs and often provides many of our wants, but sometimes He provides what we don't expect. At times, God may let adversity and trying times come into our life in order to shape and refine us to become more like Himself. Though it may be painful, we can also take joy in knowing that He loves us so much that He would individually craft out circumstances in our life in order to mature and perfect our faith. God is never to blame for our sin, for His nature is good. Fault then must rest on us, but God's goodness and grace for the fallen sinner can cleanse us from all our sin! 

Follow after God, Deny Temptation, Be Saved from Your Own Sinful Nature, Live in God.

While in the Valley

You never realize what you have and what a blessing it is until it’s gone, whether it’s someone’s trust, love, or simple companionship. When you’re mainly thinking about just pleasing yourself you lose sight of what really matters – pleasing God above all else and doing what’s best for others. When you lose what you once had, it’s as if you’ve been doused with ice water. You’re brought to shame by your selfishness, your grief is overpowering by losing something very precious to you. However, it also helps humble you, making you grateful for things that at times seem so trivial and simple. God uses these times to bring His fallen child into like-mindedness with Himself. He uses the loss to water and nourish young believers - making them stronger, and also more sensitive to the desires of Himself and the needs of other people. He may also use this time to show His will for His child’s life, to guide this wandering child onto a godly path.

While in the midst of the valley, it is so easy to feel sorry for yourself and think everyone, including God, is against you. But we must always strive to remember our part in where we are, and also remember that God is with us and that all this is happening for a purpose. God offers us a great promise that we can hold onto for all time, the promise never to leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). His love is eternal and if you ever feel alone, you can know for sure you’re not alone and also that God loves you with everlasting love. A love that even the deepest flood cannot drown. Praise God, all ye ends of the earth for His great and marvelous mercy. His truth shall never fail; His compassion renewed every day. His salvation, you can never lose, His promise holds forever. Just as you know the sun will rise and set, you can also know with greater assurance that God will never leave you. Praise Him for His ever loving presence.

Our Sin, God's Sacrifice

I’m not alone, what a wondrous thought. Often I feel so trapped, caught in the unwelcome circumstances brought upon by my own sinful choices.
 
How often when looked through our eyes
Our choices look wise
But when God provides insight
How soon we see the unsettling light.
 
How could any choice made in love be wrong? That is a question once asked by me, but how wrong I was. Love, a beautiful gift created by God, should not cause us to go against Him. Cut me, He did; but then and only then did I see my mistake - a sin so grave that it was the one time I was glad I could not behold my Saviour’s face. The anguish of being willfully ignored. The One who gave me everything, I turned my back upon and gave Him absolutely nothing. But when He wounded me, He opened my eyes. And I saw a more horrible sight than I could have ever imagined - my bleeding Saviour crying out my name in agony as I walked away without regret.

 O Father, please forgive Thy child. I confess my part in my Saviour’s death. My unworthiness and filth You have cleansed and have given me Thy Son’s righteousness, which has made me whiter than snow. I pray that I may serve You and You only forever. Never again betraying You to the cross. May Your holy name ever be praised for Thy unfailing love. Amen.