Daily Seeking God

My Determined Purpose is to Know Him {Psalm 105}

12:04 PM

Scripture Reading: Psalm 105

What does it mean to "seek His face"?

Seeking God simply means seeking His presence. The word translated, “presence” can also be translated, “face.” Therefore, to be before His face is to be in His presence.
From reading Psalm 105 it seems the psalmist is encouraging his readers, who may be down and discouraged to seek the Lord - His presence, and it was that word presence that jumped out at me and sent me on a journey to find out why.  


Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;Make known His deeds among the peoples.Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;Speak of all His wonders.Glory in His holy name;Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad. Seek the Lord and His strength;Seek His face continually. Remember… (Psalm 105:1-5a) 

Why are we encouraged to seek God's presence? I found some really encouraging verses that give us a clue into the importance of seeking Him.

Exodus 33:14 “And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

 Moses discovered early on that we can find rest when in His presence; not so much physical rest, but I believe a heart felt rest, from worry or anxiety. Are you ever anxious or worried about impossible tasks, or things you can't control? Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His presence... (Ps 105:4)

 Genesis 28:15 “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

 Jacob knew he would find comfort, protection and provision as long as he remain in God's presence. Did you notice that our God is faithful because He swears by His own name, there is no one higher, therefore His promises cannot be impacted by our will.

Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

 David knew that in His presence he could experience the "fullness of joy"! BUT something much more important than being filled with joy is that God will “make know to me [us] the path of life” and that speaks of eternal life, because you’re going to be enjoying God’s presence for all eternity.

 Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

 David also knew he didn't have to fear evil, difficult circumstances, or the 'unknown' because the Good Shepherd would be there to give him all the comfort, guidance, direction and protection he would need. Are you facing any uncertainties in your life right now?

Psalm 34:10 says, "The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing." 

 We will lack no GOOD thing when we seek His face continually! So why aren't we?

 What hinders us and keeps us from seeking God's presence continually?
P.R.I.D.E. The greatest hindrance to seeking His presence is pride. “In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him” (Psalm 10:4). God's Word states that "He resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6)

Therefore, humility is essential to seeking the Lord.
Did you know that the greatest promise to those who seek the Lord is that He will be found?

  “If you seek him, he will be found by you” (1 Chronicles 28:9). 
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13)

 AND here's the clincher, when we do seek Him, there is great reward. “Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). 

 God himself is our greatest reward, for when we have him, we truly have everything. 

 Therefore, “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (Psalm 105:4).

1 Peter 5:5-9)

Humility, the Root of every Virtue (James 4)

12:00 AM


Today's reading: James 4:1-17
Growing in a dysfunctional home made me an insecure person. I felt that I had to become stronger trying to hide my flaws. Over the years, my accomplishments made me feel I had it! This brought pride into my heart. I became self-sufficient, independent and according to my personal standards, I considered myself a “good person”!  O my God, how mistaken I was!
All this apparent success could not fill the gap inside of me! All the hurt and the insecure child inside of me still haunted me, until I surrendered my life to Jesus!
“But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness]” (Vs. 6)

Through His Amazing Grace I was able to recognize who I really was and that only He could heal and fill my life completely from the inside-out!

" 7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]. 9 Be miserable and grieve and weep [over your sin]. Let your [foolish] laughter be turned to mourning and your [reckless] joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose]." (Vss. 7-10)



It was amazing for me to discover Jesus through the Bible! He revealed His nature when He described Himself as gentle and lowly of heart.(Matthew 11:29), and to discover His servant’s heart, displayed throughout His ministry which  qualified Him to be the “lamb of God”,  who took our place on that cross!  In Jesus we have a model for humility.  In Him we find the humble character that God expects from us!
When we submit our hearts and lives to God, He will lift you up in and give you a real Purpose in your life. Not in your own means, but by the power of His Holy Spirit dwelling in you! (Psalm 18:27)
“Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of the creature, and the root of every virtue. And so pride, or the loss of this humility, is the root of every sin and evil.” (Andrew Murray)
Pride: the root of every sin and evil! I had never thought of it this way!!
Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden (Gen.3:4), and she sinned following her self-will, and pride was at the heart of this sin: doing what she wanted, instead of what God had commanded. This same situation applies to us too and sadly, more often than we think!
We should not only live in humility in our personal relationship with God but also this same attitude should be reflected toward others (Phil. 2:3)!  
Here is a check- list that could help us –through prayer- to make a heart inventory, as we consider the following:
-       Do you question God, when you are afflicted or tested? When things don’t turn out how you planned? This is pride.
-       Every time we refuse someone forgiveness, we are acting in pride.
-       When you argue with our spouse (friend, family member), and insist you are right and he (she) is wrong, you are acting in pride.
-       When you believe you owe yourself the best modern accessories, perfumes, and clothing; the best car, or house, and you must have it even if you get into debt.
-       When you feel you are better than someone else, regarding your talents, opinions, attitudes, behavior, etc.
-       When by serving our Church, we feel: “I deserve a visit”, or “I deserve my opinion”, or “I deserve my way”, or “I deserve certain rights and privileges”, because of “my achievements”, we are also acting in pride.

I love Peter’s words on this subject:
5 Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and experience], be subject to your elders [seek their counsel]; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another [tie on the servant’s apron], for God is opposed to the proud [the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He defeats them], but He gives grace to the humble.
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time, 7 casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. 8 Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.]” (1 Peter 5:5-9)
When we live in humble obedience and cast all our cares (needs) on our Heavenly Father, holding firmly to our Faith, recognizing that He loves us and He knows what is best for us -and in His Perfect timing-, we will be able to resist the devil and his attacks.
Let me close with these final words: “Humility is our greatest friend. It increases our hunger for God’s word and opens our hearts to his Spirit. It leads to intimacy with God, who knows the proud from afar, but dwells with him “who is of a contrite and lowly spirit” (Isa. 57:15). It imparts the aroma of Christ to all whom we encounter. It is a sign of greatness in the kingdom of God (Luke 22:24–27). Developing the identity, attitude, and conduct of a humble servant does not happen overnight. It is rather like peeling an onion: you cut away one layer only to find another beneath it. But it does happen. As we forsake pride and seek to humble ourselves by daily deliberate choices in dependence on the Holy Spirit, humility grows in our souls.” (Jesusfilm.org)
Blessings!
Mari

Angie Benjamin

When Pride takes Over {Obadiah 1:1-21}

12:57 AM



The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you had done, it will be done to you; your evil deeds will return upon your head" {vs.15}

The struggle that began in the womb between twin brothers Esau and Jacob, continued to be a struggle between their respective descendants. The Edomites and the Israelites.

The Edomites were stubborn to the point they refused to assist Israel, first during the time of wilderness wandering (Numbers 20:14-21) and later during a time of invasion. Both events are totally condemned by Obadiah. A little- known prophet whose name means "Worshipper or Servant of Yahweh".

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament that contents a dramatic example of God's response to anyone who would harm his children.

Obadiah gave God's message to the Edomites. Because of their indifference to and defiance of God, their cowardice and pride, their treachery toward their relatives in Judah, they stood condemned and would be destroyed.

The book begins with the announcement that destruction was coming to Edom (vs.1-9). Despite their majestic cliffs and mountains, they were not able to escape from God's judgement.

Then in verses 10-14 Obadiah explains the reasons for this judgement and destruction: Their arrogance towards God and persecuting God's children.

The prophesy ends with a concise description of the "day of the Lord" when judgement will fall on all who have harmed God's people (verses 15-21).



I believe the key verse to the Edomites (and to us) is vs.2,3

"Behold, I will make you small among the nations [Edom]; you shall be despised exceedingly. The pride of your heart deceived you"

Obadiah's message reminds us that pride is deadly. The pride in our hearts can deceive us. Pride will cause us to mistreat other people and judgment comes as a consequence of it.

God wants us to live before Him and before others with a humble and tender heart. Pride on the other hand, whether in a nation or in an individual, will not escape God's judgement, but humility brings His blessing and favor.

For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.  {Matthew 23:12}



As we read Obadiah today, let us be reminded of what it means to be God's child, under his love and protection. Be encouraged to see how God reacts to all who would attack those whom He loves.


Humble

Humble Exultation {Luke 18}

12:00 AM



By Lisa Thayer

Sometimes I see on Facebook the quote, “No matter what life throws at us, at least we don’t have ugly children!”  I have often put my hand over my mouth when I read that.  And I have been convicted of holding too tightly to my children.  Many of you are aware that this season of empty nesting has been difficult for me – and I still have two children living at home!  Seriously, just look at the many, and I mean many posts on social media about our children’s accomplishments.  There are posts about sports achievements, academic achievements, health achievements, even religious achievements.  We are proud of our children.  We have spent 18-20 years attending every event and watched them grow and reach huge milestones. 

When I first read this chapter, verse 29 stood out to me.  But why is it included in the parable of the ‘Rich Man’?  Personally, it answered a prayer about why this season of empty nesting was so difficult for me.  I believe it is because we place what we hold dear to us first in our lives.  God, our Heavenly Father, our Creator, must be first. 

Job 1:21, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.  The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised.”  Verse 29 is included in the parable of the rich man because we may not always be attached to money or possessions, but people, especially our children or parents.

The end of chapter 17 ended with “Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left.  Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”  (17:33-35)  Which lead to the beginning of chapter 18 – persistence in prayer.  When we live by faith, we are not to give up (v. 1).  In the first parable of this chapter, a widow keeps coming before the judge.  In my current situation, I realized, I needed to remove my children from my grasp, and bring them before the Lord to have Him bless them.  And trust that the blessings He has in store for them may not be the same blessings I believe they deserve.  I learned that I need to humbly lay them before Him for Him to use them to further His Kingdom.  I have had to do this over and over, sometimes many times in the same day! 

This parable is followed by the humble tax collector.  The people I work with often grumble and complain about a lawyer they often have to work with on certain cases.  He truly appears to be a scoundrel.  Yet, occasionally I visit a different church, and there he is humbly wheeling his mother in a wheelchair up to communion.  And each time I see him, I see this humble man, not the unjust lawyer. 

I remember a sermon a few years ago about the blind beggar and it has stuck with me.  We encounter Jesus all day long and sometimes we think because He knows what we ‘need’, He should just grant it to us.  I mean after all, we are believers – He knows the number of hairs on our head, He certainly can see my present situation.  Yet there are obstacles in our way, especially in the world we live in.  If we can be persistent in faith, and come to Jesus with our specific requests, our eyes will be opened and we will see the way He intends for our lives to be lived.  Jesus asks us, “What do you want me to do for you?” (v. 41) – He wants us to be specific!


God is loving and He will respond to us, we have to believe He hears our cries for help.  And we receive healing because of our faith.  Persistence is not the means to earn salvation, but the by-product of a truly devoted life.  Every time there is a miracle, there is a conversion.   We must humble ourselves over and over.