Seeking Him, and Seeking Wisdom

God tells us to seek Him. He will tell you great and unsearchable things. He will bless you with His Godly wisdom (rather than the 'street smarts' that the world cherishes). He will not hold back from you. He, God, says all this in scripture, below.

Seeking God

As for seeking the Lord God, our Father, the Book of Jeremiah, chapter 29, verse 13 (Jeremiah 29:13) says this:


"You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart." (NIV)

"You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." (NKJV)


Another beautiful reminder from the Book of Jeremiah is found in chapter 33, verse 3 (Jeremiah 33:3). It says:


"Call to Me and I will answer you
and tell you great and unsearchable things
you do not know." (NIV)

"Call to Me, and I will answer you,
and show you great and mighty things,
which you do not know." (NKJV)

Seeking Wisdom

Lastly, one of my favorite verses is from the Book of James. It’s something very specific that God tells us in His ‘God-breathed’ word (2 Timothy 3:16) that we can ask Him for. It’s found in James, chapter 1, verse 5 (James 1:5):



"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (ESV)

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (NIV)


Sometimes I enjoy the translation of The Message (MSG) with scripture. Here's how it states James 1:5-6 --


"If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father.
He loves to help. You'll get his help,
and won't be condescended to when you ask for it.
Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought."

A Prayer for You Today:

Thank You, Father, for your word to guide us, to grow us, to transform us.

Please enlighten the eyes of our hearts today with your Truth, Father. Bless us with your wisdom today. To lead others better, to lead ourselves and our loved ones better.

Please, Jesus, fill us to overflowing today, with your love, your grace, your joy, and your peace. That peace that transcends all understanding, Lord. Let others see You through us, and in us today.

Thank You, Jesus, and thank you, Father, for Jesus. Amen.

Taking the Gospel Everywhere It Is Not

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. MLK Jr. was a Godly man. He was a Christ-follower, not just a Christian by name. He lived his belief. He was a Missionary whose mission field was his own country, his own ‘back yard.’

As is often the case when you truly let Christ lead you through your life, Martin Luther King, Jr. was an inspiration to many.

In my own local church, one of our Mission points that we’re focused on says:

“An intense focus on taking the gospel EVERYWHERE it is not - John 20:21; Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:8.”

Why?

Why do some people go to the literal 'ends of the earth' to bring Jesus Christ to people? Why do some stand on street corners shouting out scripture hoping that some may listen and truly hear?

Those scriptures referenced above show why.

To help you get a clearer understanding of ‘why,’ here they are, written out for you:

John 20:21 --

"As the Father has sent me, I am sending you"

John 20:21 -- in the NIV says:

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

Matthew 28:16-20 -- "The Great Commission"

Matthew 28:16-20 -- In the NIV says:

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Acts 1:8 -- "To the ends of the earth"

Acts 1:8 -- In the NIV says:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

The Holy Spirit

That last verse brings some misinterpretation for some. So do several other verses throughout the Bible, regarding this topic. But Jesus makes it clear in various phrasing, that the Holy Spirit (or, "Holy Ghost") is in you if you are His. He ascended to heaven, and said he would send His Spirit back to us to be a helper. And so He did.

Confusion among many non-believers who just shake their heads at Christians comes from the fact that too many 'Christians' seem to have a head-knowledge of Christ, but not necessarily a true heart-knowledge. Meaning, they know of Him, fight to live for Him, strive for Him, but don't truly know Him.

Many are trying to live for Christ, but doing it of their own power rather than the Holy Spirit working through them and in them.

Jesus says that will be so, very clearly when talking of the Day of Judgment where He'll say to many, "I never knew you."

These verses -- and many other sections and verses in the Holy Bible that go right along with these points (Paul's, "Run the race to win" comments, as one example) are why you find many Christians giving up their time, their resources, their pride, their very lives, for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Because He commands us to share His truth, The Truth, with the world.

Today's Prayer for You:

Father, we thank you for your Inspired word, the Holy Bible. We thank you for The Living Word, Jesus Christ. We thank you for our very breath given us so that we may strive to glorify you.

Please strengthen our faith in you, and our understanding of you and your word. Please bless us with your Godly wisdom today.

Please, Father, inspire us, and motivate us now, today, for a lifetime. Show us exactly how you want us to live, where you want us to go, what you want us to do with our lives.

Put us each on your narrow path, Lord. Open doors for us where you want us to go, and close those doors on paths that are not truly fruitful for your glory, and not where you want us to be. Please, do not let us go astray any longer.

Lord Jesus, please, fill us to overflowing with your peace, your joy -- and your confidence. Fill us with love and grace that abounds, so that is what others get from us, more than the worldly influences that pound us and try to influence us every day.

Lord, please, grab hold of everyone that reads this prayer. Use them mightily, Jesus. Give them hearts of flesh today, and cast out their hearts of stone. Make us lovers of life, Jesus! Make us encouragers, inspirers, motivators, all for your plan and your glory, Lord.

Thank you for the heart to know that there is nothing that truly matters more to us, than you. Thank you, Jesus, for being our bridge back to the Father, so that we may spend eternity in heaven, with you.

Father, we praise you, we pray to you, we give our lives the best we know how to today, to you Lord. Please answer us in your beautiful way, so that we don't miss it. Thank you again Father, for Jesus. Amen.

Your Purpose In Life?

I sometimes sign-off on my e-mails with the phrase, “All for His Glory.” Someone asked me recently what I meant by that.

In this instance, what I mean is that I can't help but chuckle at all these people moaning about what their purpose in life might be. Since I've been blessed enough to learn the simple truth, that is. Because at some point, I was wondering the same thing.

Millions of people say they want to know, but then they don't actually go and read God's word, the Holy Bible, to get the answers they constantly ask for.

This is why millions of books were sold under the Christian-based title of,
"The Purpose-Driven Life." I’m not knocking the book. It has its place.

But as to what anyone's purpose is, if they are a Christ-follower, or at least claim to be a Christian, it's stated in the Bible.

Ephesians & Proverbs

In the Book of Ephesians I believe it is, God says pretty directly that we were created to glorify Him. In all that we do, whatever we do, we are to do our best to give Him the glory for it and through it.

And in Proverbs He specifically says that we dream and we plan, but He directs our steps.

So I say that whatever you do, if you end up actually doing it and not just dreaming or talking about it, He led you to it and through it, and we are to glorify Him through it all.

“All Scripture Is God-Breathed...”

Why do I say, ‘He said this’ or ‘He says that?’ Because the Holy Bible is clearly stated as being, “God’s Inspired Word.” Some versions call it, “God-breathed.” Check out the 2nd Book of Timothy, chapter 3, verse 16 (“2 Tim 3:16”).

To help save you time – and make sure you actually read it – I’ll just share it below. Here’s what the NIV says:


2 Timothy 3:16-17 --
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.


The New International Version (NIV) is both a word-for-word and thought-for-thought translation. The Message (MSG) is more of a paraphrase, looser translation.

But to read more than one version at a time can often help get the idea across better if you aren't sure exactly what a particular bit of scripture might be meaning.

Here's how the MSG states it:


2 Tim 3:16-17 --
Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

So God tells us, through the Apostles, pretty clearly I might add, that it is Him speaking to us through scripture, not 'mere humans' or human thinking.

What Does It Actually Mean?

That means whatever I do -- whether I'm a janitor, a plumber, a French-fry guy at Mickey D's, a factory worker, an Entrepreneur, a CEO of a Fortune 500 company, a Missionary changing lives, a doctor saving lives, a brain surgeon, or a true rocket scientist -- all glory should go to God.

Because He either led me or let me go down that path.

He gave me my very breath each day, gives it to me each day, and though most of us are not, we should be thankful, and give praise and thanks to the Almighty God.

What’s your purpose in life? Simply this:

To glorify God in whatever you do – in all that you do.


There's your answer. And all of that is wrapped-up in my sign-off when I say something like, "All for His Glory." ;-)

Strive On!

2 Great, Short Videos

Below are 2 great, short videos. The first talks some simple, clear truth about Jesus and the Gospel – easy to understand truth taken straight from the scripture.

It was shown at the beginning of my last church service, to help emphasize some points preached on.

Even for longtime Believers, this has some great points worth hearing. But it’s foundational for newer believers or for any who aren’t sure yet just what they actually believe.

The second video linked-to below is amazing. It’s a kid, maybe 12 years old, preaching about how God is called this or that in every book of the Bible.

He gives one name for each of the Books. It’s a neat 3 minute (?) clip. “In Genesis He is this, in Exodus He is this, etc.” Check it out!

The kid has GOT to be homeschooled! They sure aren’t teaching that in school these days. ‘Vacation Bible School’ (VBS) or not, any kids that care enough to memorize such things -- and any parents who encourage their kiddos to do so -- are amazing in this day and age. God bless ‘em.

Here are the video links:


Gospel Identity for Peter


Jesus in Every Book of the Bible


May God bless you mightily for the few minutes you may invest in listening to the videos at those links above.

Scriptural Examples andIdeas of What to Pray for

There are numerous examples in scripture of things we can pray for.

Yes, one can argue that you can pray for anything (Lord, give me that new car, please?" "Oh Lord, I'd love some ice cream right now. Please?").

But the Holy Bible shows again and again, instances in which the believers prayed to The Almighty God for specific things.

Their prayers are there for us in scripture as examples.

They also say specific things, and the Father himself says things at times, which we can also use as guides.

Today's example is taken from Ezekiel 36:26 --


"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;
I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
(NIV)

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;
I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
(NKJV)


My urging to you is to ask for this from our Father, for all those you pray for. Family, friends, ex's and enemies. Neighbors, co-workers, leaders of your country -- and other countries also.

Ask God to intervene and to give each of those you pray for hearts of flesh.

Ask Him to take away, to cast out, their hearts of stone. To break down their walls, to soften their hearts -- and to sharpen their minds with His Godly wisdom (James 1:5).


"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;
I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."

How awesome is that? And honestly, though we throw the word around like it’s nothing, God is the only thing n this world that is truly ‘awesome.’

So pray to the Lord, talk with Him, ask... and keep on asking.

And may the Lord bless your efforts mightily!

Harmless?

I don’t know about other countries, other cultures, but here in America, we’re well-packed and ready to travel when it comes to ‘emotional baggage.’

Normally the first part of Philippians 2:14-15 is what gets me. "Do all things without complaining or disputing." That's near impossible, seems like -- and is a great reminder. Today, though, what smacked me upside my noggin was one word: harmless.

I received that scripture recently as the ‘verse of the day.’ It put me on a contemplative path with that one word. This time the version that got my attention most was the NKJV:


“Do all things without complaining and disputing,
that you may become blameless and harmless,
children of God without fault
in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
among whom you shine as lights in the world.”
-- Philippians 2:14-15


Harmless.....

Harmless?

Harmless. That's a tough one. Tough word... Tough Word.

In my moments of frustration, of anger -- whenever I may lose my temper -- I probably do not appear 'harmless.' At least, not to some kiddos, I'm sure.

Ranting & raving scares some, scares many, even though many are calloused to it.

Harmless?

If I let myself spout-off momentarily now & then, I not only look foolish, I not only may scare those around me (such as my children), but I let down God, too.

In addition, it’s a case of Word Vs. World again.

The world tells us to be tough. To kick butt. To not be taken advantage of. To screw the other guy before he screws you.

Take no prisoners. Stand tall. Blah, blah, blah.

Harmless? Not quite yet. Not me. How about you?


Today’s Prayer:

Lord, I, we, need your help. Please, Jesus, let us appear, let us BE, harmless to those around us. We need you, Lord. Help us to be, “Harmless.”

Let it, let us, glorify you through it all, Jesus. Glorify You, Father. Thank you for your word to teach us, to guide us, to grow us.

Please strengthen us now. Bless us with your Godly wisdom. Thank You, Jesus, and thank You, Father, for Jesus. Amen.


Strive On--All for His Glory,