GodThoughtsWired! Archives: May 2006

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

The 5 Things to Seek: Part 4

The 5 Things to Seek: Part 4
Brad Reiches
May 31 2006 12:08AM

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

GodThoughts Wired!

"The 5 Things to Seek"

#4. Seek wisdom*. "I (wisdom) love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me" (Proverbs 8:17).

"A wise man will hear and increase in learning" (Proverbs 1:5). Why? Because the wiser you become, the greater your ability to invest in eternity. The more knowledge you have, the better able you are to instruct others in the ways of the Lord. "Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!" (Proverbs 4:5).

Seeking wisdom is something different than the pursuit of God's kingdom. Indeed, the kingdom of God can come without any increase in your level of "wisdom." To grow in wisdom you must pursue it. It must be a top priority in your life. The commitment to "lifelong learning" is invaluable. Why? With it comes the potential for becoming a better spouse, parent, and representative of Christ - all of which carry the potential for eternal gain!

"Seek her (wisdom) as silver,

and search for her as for hidden treasure."

Proverbs 2:4

Few things are as important as the quest for wisdom. Why? Wisdom is one of the few things that can impact your eternity**. And sharing your wisdom has the potential to influence the eternity of others.

Grow in your knowledge of God's word

and you become a resource of wisdom for others.

Hmmm...

*I am using the term "wisdom" here to include, "knowledge, wisdom, discernment and understanding."

**By "wisdom," I mean the wisdom of God. Being wise in the knowledge of God's way, will and word. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My word (wisdom) will not pass away.

The 5 Things to Seek: Conclusion

The 5 Things to Seek: Conclusion
Brad Reiches
May 31 2006 11:43PM

Thursday, June 1, 2006

GodThoughts Wired!

"The 5 Things to Seek"

CONCLUSION

"To this one I (God) will look;

to him who is humble and contrite of spirit,

and who trembles at my word."

Isaiah 66:2

#5. Seek humility. "Seek humility" (Zephaniah 2:3).

Humility: from the Hebrew, "anah" meaning, "to be bowed down."

Websters: "modest, lowly, unpretentious."

My own definition of Biblical "humility" is, "as opposed to pride; agreement with God." Godly humility is in contrast to "the boastful pride of life," from which the majority of all sin originates (see 1 John 2:15-17).

"Humble yourself in the presence of the Lord,

and He will exalt you."

James 4:10

Peter put it a little differently, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time." (1 Peter 5:6). In both cases "humility" is to be pro-actively pursued. "Humble yourselves."

Ironically, the world elevates pride...the very thing that God hates (see Proverbs 6:16) and opposes (see James 4; 1 Peter 5). In contrast, the sincere seeker of God yearns for grace...the grace that comes from humility.

"God...gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).

Monday, May 29, 2006

The 5 Things to Seek: Part 3

The 5 Things to Seek: Part 3
Brad Reiches
May 29 2006 10:46PM

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

GodThoughts Wired!

"The 5 Things to Seek"

III

#3. Seek God's righteousness. "Seek...His (God) righteousness" Matthew 6:33).

As I instruct my daughters, in the simplest sense, to live righteously is to "live the right way." God's way, according to the Bible. "Seek righteousness" (Zephaniah 2:3).

"Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness" (Isaiah 51:1). Some basic and practical reasons for living the right way include, the strong support of the Lord (see 2 Chronicles 16:9), and "no good thing does God withhold" (see Psalm 84:11) from those who live the right way, and, of course, "the fruit of righteousness" (Philippians 1:11).

"Pursue righteousness"

1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22

The essence of the lifestyle of the disciple is the quest for righteousness. Trying to figure out how to live the right way. Technically, it's called "walking by the Spirit" (see Galatians 5:16-17). Why? Because, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20).

Do you see it? "Christ lives in me." It's not us trying harder to be more righteous, it's allowing the Righteous God, ("Jehovah Tsidkenu," the Lord our Righteousness; see Jeremiah 23:6) who lives inside of every believer via His Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 1:13), to live through us.

It's why, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).

Actually, it's a pretty good deal. He lives through us, and we reap the "fruit of righteousness."

Friday, May 26, 2006

The 5 Things to Seek: Part 2

The 5 Things to Seek: Part 2
Brad Reiches
May 26 2006 01:02AM

Friday, May 26, 2006

GodThoughts Wired!

"The 5 Things to Seek"

#2. Seek God's kingdom.* "Seek first His (God) kingdom" (Matthew 6:33).

"And do not seek what you shall eat, and what you shall drink,

and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations

of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things.

But seek for His kingdom, and these things shall be added to you."

Luke 12:29-31

I'd say, "That's a pretty good deal!" Wouldn't you? The Bible clearly teaches here that the "nations" have it all wrong. They have replaced God, Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Our Provider), with themselves and reap the harsh consequences.

Question: To whom does the Lord speak the following? "Consider your ways...You have sown much but harvest little...He who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes...Consider your ways...You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away...I called for a drought...on all the labor of your hands" (Haggai 1:5-11).

That's right! The one who prioritizes his own kingdom ahead of God's. Because of My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house" (Haggai 1:9). There are only two options.

Live by God's design and reap the blessings, or

Hmmm...

Thursday, May 25, 2006

The 5 Things to Seek: Part 1

The 5 Things to Seek: Part 1
Brad Reiches
May 25 2006 01:09AM

Thursday, May 25, 2006

GodThoughts Wired!

"The 5 Things to Seek"

#1. Seek God. "Seek the Lord while He may be found" (Isaiah 55:6).

"Now set your heart and your soul

to seek the Lord your God."

1 Chronicles 22:19

There is nothing on this earth more important than seeking God. Nothing. "If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever" (1 Chronicles 28:9). Everything else in this life, and the life to come will be directly, and eternally impacted by the diligence, or lack thereof, with which we pursue God.

The only people who go to hell

are those who willfully choose

to not seek God wholeheartedly.

We know this because the Bible tells us so. "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). The seven greatest words ever spoken to mankind are those spoken by God Himself:

"And I will be found by you."

Jeremiah 29:14

Can anybody tell me what time it is? That's right! "It is time to seek the Lord" (Hosea 10:12).