Friday, July 30, 2010

The 5 Things to Seek! Introduction

GodThoughtsWired!                       Friday, July 30, 2010
An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!
The 5 Things to Seek!
INTRODUCTION

Certainly, there are many things that can be pursued on this earth, however, I suggest that there are only five that God would have us seek. All other noble or worthy pursuits are subordinate to these:
#1. Seek God. "Seek the Lord while He may be found" (Isaiah 55:6).
#2. Seek God's kingdom.* "Seek first His (God) kingdom" (Matthew 6:33).
#3. Seek God's righteousness. "Seek...His (God) righteousness" Matthew 6:33).
#4. Seek wisdom. "I (wisdom) love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me" (Proverbs 8:17).
#5. Seek humility. "Seek humility" (Zephaniah 2:3).
*There are many other wonderful qualities that the Bible encourages us to seek (i.e. "justice," Isaiah 1:17; "peace," Psalm 34:14, "the favor of the Lord," Zechariah 7:2, etc.), each of which is a bi-product of the kingdom of God (meaning, if we have God's kingdom, the bi-products come with the package).
Indeed, righteousness, wisdom and humility are surely a part of God's kingdom, however, their presence in our individual lives are in direct proportion to the diligence in which they are sought.
For example, God is peace, Jehovah Shalom (Judges 6:24), regardless of my own pursuit, but my individual levels of humility and wisdom are determined by my quest for such.
Over the next several days (beginning Monday), I'll discuss each one.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

The Lord Knows

GodThoughtsWired!                 Thursday, July 29, 2010
An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!
the lord knows
"Indeed, none of those who wait
for Thee shall be ashamed."

Psalm 25:3
Are you waiting for something that should have come to pass long ago?
The Lord knows.
"Who acts in behalf of the one
who waits for Him."

Isaiah 64:4
Are you weary of this season that has lasted far beyond all reason and hope?
The Lord knows.
"Wait for the Lord. Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord."
Psalm 27:14
The Lord knows our desire to please Him. However, our Lord also knows that without faith we cannot (please Him). Our Lord further knows that "pleasing faith" is the fruit of trials endured and temptation overcome.
Fear not, you child of God. Your prayers are being answered even now...and so shall the desires of your heart yet be fulfilled.
The Lord knows.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Your Future is BRIGHT!

GodThoughtsWired!                  Wednesday, July 28, 2010
An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!
YOUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT!
"I know the plans I have for you,
declares the Lord."

Jeremiah 29:11
The true follower of Christ has an aweful lot to look forward to. Their future is literally...GUARANTEED! Indeed, Jeremiah 29:11 goes on to tell us that these plans that God has for all who seek Him are plans that include "well-being," "hope," and "the fulfillment of the desires of our hearts" (see Psalm 37:4).
Not only is God committed to our future well-being, He literally "delights" in it. The Bible reveals to us that God "delights to give good gifts to His children," and "No good thing does God withhold from those who walk uprightly in Him" (see Matthew 7:13; Psalm 84:11).
And as if that weren't enough, our hope is applicable to both this life and the life to come. Consider the following:  Jesus said,
"Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and
brothers and sisters and mothers
and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life."
-Mark 10:30(bold mine)
When the great Bible character Abraham died, the scripture assures us that he died, "Well satisfied with life" (see Genesis 25:7). I love that, don't you? What an assurance! What a hope!  INDEED!
Our future looks awefully BRIGHT!