The 5 Things to Seek! 1

GodThoughtsWired!                  Monday, August 2, 2010

An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!

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

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.

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.

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!

Overcomers Get All The Good Stuff! 6

GodThoughtsWired!                     Tuesday, June 15, 2010

An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!

overcomers get all
the good stuff!
6

For an in-depth discussion of spiritual warfare click on, The Bible Says Series, Armor of God.

OVERCOMING...DEMONIC FORCES

"To him who overcomes..."
Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21

The fifth (no particular order) and final of the five key areas in which we must {attain the knowledge, develop the skills, and cultivate the will} to overcome is:

-Demonic Forces.

 "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Ephesians 6:12

As far as we are concerned, the skill is simple. "Don't give the devil an opportunity" (Ephesians 4:27). However, this is only half the battle because, "The devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). He is proactive!

So, when the devil (demons) come knocking on your door the key is to "resist him (them)" (see 1 Peter 5:9). James 4:7 promises, "resist the devil and he will flee from you." (see Jesus in the wilderness for a perfect model of this, Matthew 4:4-10).

And how do we "resist" demonic forces? By putting on the full armor of God.*

"Take up the full armor of God,
that you may be able to resist..."
Ephesians 6:13

*For an in-depth discussion on this topic, click on: The Bible Says Series: Armor of God.

Overcomers Get All The Good Stuff! 5

GodThoughtsWired!                    Monday, June 14, 2010

An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!

overcomers get all
the good stuff!
5

OVERCOMING...OTHER PEOPLE

"To him who overcomes..."Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21

The fourth (no particular order) of the five key areas in which we must {attain the knowledge, develop the skills, and cultivate the will} to overcome is:

-Other People.

 "'They will fight against you,
but they will not overcome you,
for I am with you to deliver you',
declares the Lord."
Jeremiah 1:19

Relative to the others, this is by far and away the greatest challenge (in my opinion). The following is what I call "The Grand Test:"

Let the positives in others point you
toward God, Without allowing the negatives  to pull you away from Him.-pastor Brad

I've been studying (and attempting to practice) this concept for a little more than 12 years now and I've identified three components. Three keys to becoming an overcomer in the area of other people. "The Grand Test" requires three attributes:

1.  Love. This kind of love, found only in God, "Does not take into account a wrong suffered" (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

2.  Humility.  "For this finds favor (with God), if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly..."
(1 Peter 2:19-20).

3.  Submission. "While being reviled, He did not revile in return, but kept entrusting Himself to the One who judges justly" (2 Peter 2:23).

Yes, I call it "The Grand Test," and we are given this test virtually every day...sometimes many times a day. Love, humility, submission. The highest of the "high roads."

But "To him who overcomes..."

Overcomers Get All The Good Stuff! 2

GodThoughtsWired!                  Wednesday, June 9, 2010

An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!

overcomers get all
the good stuff!
2

For further study click on The Bible Says Series, Sin & Salvation.
Also, check out pastor Brad's youtube channel:
GodThoughtsLive!

OVERCOMING...SIN

"To him who overcomes..."
Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21

The first (no particular order) of the five key areas in which we must {attain the knowledge, develop the skills, and cultivate the will} to overcome is:

-Sin.

"Sin is crouching at your door,
and its desire is for you, but you must master it."
Genesis 4:7

Yes, we must master sin. "His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). That being the case, it simply boils down to skills and choices. Is it fair for me to suggest that, "The time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries" (1 Peter 4:3).

So, skills and choices. First, the skills:

 "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no
provision for the flesh in regard to its lust."
Romans 13:14

Solomon put it this way,

"Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it and do not walk by it; turn away from it and pass on."
Proverbs 4:14-15

And then, the choices. "Choose for yourselves today, whom you will serve...But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself" (Joshua 24:15; Daniel 1:8).

Skills, choices, mastery over sin. And the overcomers get all the good stuff...

FOR ETERNITY.

For further study click on The Bible Says Series, Sin & Salvation. 

Also, check out pastor Brad's youtube channel: GodThoughtsLive!