We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers. Our weekly focus is: praying for hope for evangelization of every people. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of Europe and Central Asia. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of men, and for God to be revealed by answered prayer.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Seek God for the City - Day 27: He isn't hiding
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers.
Our weekly focus is: praying for hope for evangelization of every people. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of Europe and Central Asia. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of broken families, and for His Name to be honored among all peoples.
Seek God.
he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited, he says:
“I am the LORD, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right.
"Gather together and come; assemble, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood, who pray to gods that cannot save. " Isaiah 45:18-20
Seek God.
He wants you to. He has made things and moved things so that we would!
Our weekly focus is: praying for hope for evangelization of every people. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of Europe and Central Asia. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of broken families, and for His Name to be honored among all peoples.
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Seek God.For this is what the LORD says, he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it;
he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited, he says:
“I am the LORD, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right.
"Gather together and come; assemble, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood, who pray to gods that cannot save. " Isaiah 45:18-20
Seek God.
He wants you to. He has made things and moved things so that we would!
...the LORD...who created the heavens...did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited... God created all there is for you and I to be here!
And he says: ...I have not spoken in secret... I have not said...‘Seek me in vain.’ What He has said is open for us to hear, and He is not hiding.
He also says: Gather together and come...
God made the universe for us. He is not hiding. He asks us to come together and seek. He want us to come together with each other and to come together with Him. He is ready for us to fall into His arms.
He says so.
Seek.
Find.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Seek God for the City - Day 25: Oh...that's what Jesus looks like...
It is a weekend of celebration here in central Delaware, as Three Stones Church celebrates our six month anniversary tomorrow!
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers.
Our weekly focus is: praying for hope for transformation toward God's peace in our communities. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of Africa. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of the unborn, and seeking Him to work with for the fruit of His righteousness.
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Seek God.
See God.
"Lord, when did we see you...?"
The old guy at the table who obviously can't afford more than the cup of coffee.
The woman up the block, with three children who never seem to have warm enough clothes on.
The child on TV whose village needs a well.
The woman standing anxiously outside the clinic.
The kid smoking the cigarette behind the store, where is his father?
They aren't Jesus. You aren't Jesus.
But, when you respond to their need in His Name, you both can see Jesus.
Seek.
Find.
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers.
Our weekly focus is: praying for hope for transformation toward God's peace in our communities. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of Africa. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of the unborn, and seeking Him to work with for the fruit of His righteousness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seek God.
See God.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-39
"Lord, when did we see you...?"
The old guy at the table who obviously can't afford more than the cup of coffee.
The woman up the block, with three children who never seem to have warm enough clothes on.
The child on TV whose village needs a well.
The woman standing anxiously outside the clinic.
The kid smoking the cigarette behind the store, where is his father?
They aren't Jesus. You aren't Jesus.
But, when you respond to their need in His Name, you both can see Jesus.
Seek.
Find.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Seek God for the City - Day 23: יְהִי אוֹר
"יְהִי אוֹר" "Let there be light."
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers. Our new weekly focus is: praying for hope for transformation toward God's peace in our communities. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of Africa. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of single people, and seeking Him to grant repentance from our violent ways.
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Seeking God.
"Light".
Such an interesting topic. The first recorded creation was light. We can't see anything without light. When we are in total darkness we cannot see a thing.
But when light is introduced, so is vision.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6
Do you believe in the power of God? That He created the world? That He spoke light into being?
Well then, He made light to shine in your heart. It is there. Let it in.
Let it out.
That light shows us Him.
Seek.
Find.
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers. Our new weekly focus is: praying for hope for transformation toward God's peace in our communities. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of Africa. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of single people, and seeking Him to grant repentance from our violent ways.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seeking God.
"Light".
Such an interesting topic. The first recorded creation was light. We can't see anything without light. When we are in total darkness we cannot see a thing.
But when light is introduced, so is vision.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6
Do you believe in the power of God? That He created the world? That He spoke light into being?
Well then, He made light to shine in your heart. It is there. Let it in.
Let it out.
That light shows us Him.
Seek.
Find.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Seek God for the City - Day 21: Jesus revealed!
If you would like to join and follow this blog, click HERE!!!
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers Our new weekly focus is: praying for hope for transformation toward God's peace in our communities. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of Africa. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of news media, and seeking Him for the poor to be helped.
Seeking God.
Although there are plenty of good books and articles that begin Six Steps to... or Ten Habits Guaranteed to..., I often have a knee-jerk, negative response to them. It's just not always that easy.
Still, there are basic steps that are required to accomplish many things.
Eat right and exercise; lose weight.
Change your oil regularly; keep your car running well.
Study daily; get better grades. Click here for an interesting exercise.
Be still; know God.
Obey God; see Him.
Yep, that's right. Does that sound odd? It's not a promise from me, it's a promise from Jesus. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” John 14:21
Whoever has my commands... - pick up The Book, they are there. You know, love others, love God, feed the hungry, etc.
...and obeys them... - do what The Book says.
...he is the one who loves me... - This shows your love for God.
...He who loves me will be loved by my Father... - that's some good news, huh?
...and I too will love him and show myself to him. - Jesus will show Himself to you!
In other words, Jesus will be revealed through your obedience.
Seek.
Find.
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers Our new weekly focus is: praying for hope for transformation toward God's peace in our communities. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of Africa. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of news media, and seeking Him for the poor to be helped.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Although there are plenty of good books and articles that begin Six Steps to... or Ten Habits Guaranteed to..., I often have a knee-jerk, negative response to them. It's just not always that easy.
Still, there are basic steps that are required to accomplish many things.
Change your oil regularly; keep your car running well.
Study daily; get better grades. Click here for an interesting exercise.
Be still; know God.
Obey God; see Him.
Yep, that's right. Does that sound odd? It's not a promise from me, it's a promise from Jesus. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” John 14:21
Whoever has my commands... - pick up The Book, they are there. You know, love others, love God, feed the hungry, etc.
...and obeys them... - do what The Book says.
...he is the one who loves me... - This shows your love for God.
...He who loves me will be loved by my Father... - that's some good news, huh?
...and I too will love him and show myself to him. - Jesus will show Himself to you!
In other words, Jesus will be revealed through your obedience.
Seek.
Find.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Seek God for the City - Day 19: A timely meal
If you would like to join and follow this blog, click HERE!!!
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers. Our new weekly focus is: praying for hope for transformation toward God's peace in our communities. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of Africa. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of children, and seeking Him for devastated cities to be restored.
When I'm hungry, I head for the kitchen; I know where to go to get what it takes to satisfy that hunger. A stop by the refrigerator, a cabinet or two, and the pantry will result in some concoction, which along with a cup of coffee will replace the emptiness with satisfaction.
Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Deuteronomy 8:3 (Also quoted by Jesus in Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4)
God's Word, the Bible, is readily available to most of the world. They are His words. The men who wrote them down were inspired and guided to write.
If we are serious about seeking God, we must spend time reading Scripture. He can be found through His words! Every word. Think about that.
And think about the promise in Isaiah that when God puts forth His word it will never return void.
And so I ask you, what part does the Word of God play in your daily life? If you are seeking, take Him at His Word, read His Word, have it set forth in you. Feel it take shape, and change your shape. Feel it leave you and go out into the world; not empty and void, but teeming with life.
Seek.
Find.
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers. Our new weekly focus is: praying for hope for transformation toward God's peace in our communities. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of Africa. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of children, and seeking Him for devastated cities to be restored.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Deuteronomy 8:3 (Also quoted by Jesus in Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4)
God's Word, the Bible, is readily available to most of the world. They are His words. The men who wrote them down were inspired and guided to write.
If we are serious about seeking God, we must spend time reading Scripture. He can be found through His words! Every word. Think about that.
And think about the promise in Isaiah that when God puts forth His word it will never return void.
And so I ask you, what part does the Word of God play in your daily life? If you are seeking, take Him at His Word, read His Word, have it set forth in you. Feel it take shape, and change your shape. Feel it leave you and go out into the world; not empty and void, but teeming with life.
Seek.
Find.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Seek God for the City - Day 18:
If you would like to join and follow this blog, click HERE!!!
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers. Our new weekly focus is: spiritual awakening of lost and broken people. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of Asia and the Pacific. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of the poor, and asking Him to be praised by those who were lost.
Elisha's servant looked up with earthly eyes and saw that they were surrounded. This is not necessarily a lack of faith, but the very human response to a human problem, But he was with Elisha, "the man of God" and they were where God had sent them. When, what appeared to be, overwhelming odds bore down upon them, the truth of God's help, the truth of God's presence, the truth was revealed.
The servant's eyes, unaided by God, were unable to really see. The same is true for us. And the enemy will whisper lies into your ears that what you see is all there is.
But there is a view, a vision, better than what our eyes see alone.
We can often find ourselves in huge messes by our own lack of righteousness and our own disobedience. God's help is available then too, but that is a topic for another day. However, if we are living obediently, doing what God calls us to do, saying what He tells us to say, and going where He sends us, and we find ourselves surrounded by the overwhelming hordes we need to ask God to open our eyes...
...so that we may see the truth of His help...
...so that we may see the truth of His presence...
...so that we may see the truth.
Seek.
Find.
...
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers. Our new weekly focus is: spiritual awakening of lost and broken people. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of Asia and the Pacific. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of the poor, and asking Him to be praised by those who were lost.
"When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." 2 Kings 6:15-18
Elisha's servant looked up with earthly eyes and saw that they were surrounded. This is not necessarily a lack of faith, but the very human response to a human problem, But he was with Elisha, "the man of God" and they were where God had sent them. When, what appeared to be, overwhelming odds bore down upon them, the truth of God's help, the truth of God's presence, the truth was revealed.
The servant's eyes, unaided by God, were unable to really see. The same is true for us. And the enemy will whisper lies into your ears that what you see is all there is.
But there is a view, a vision, better than what our eyes see alone.We can often find ourselves in huge messes by our own lack of righteousness and our own disobedience. God's help is available then too, but that is a topic for another day. However, if we are living obediently, doing what God calls us to do, saying what He tells us to say, and going where He sends us, and we find ourselves surrounded by the overwhelming hordes we need to ask God to open our eyes...
...so that we may see the truth of His help...
...so that we may see the truth of His presence...
...so that we may see the truth.
Seek.
Find.
...
Friday, March 9, 2012
Seek God for the City - Day 17: I found out where God lives!
If you would like to join and follow this blog, click RIGHT HERE!!!
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers. Our new weekly focus is: spiritual awakening of lost and broken people. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of Asia and the Pacific. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of health care, and asking Him to bring victory over evil powers.
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers. Our new weekly focus is: spiritual awakening of lost and broken people. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of Asia and the Pacific. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of health care, and asking Him to bring victory over evil powers.
You are holy, enthroned in the praise of Israel. Psalm 22:3
God, the psalmist said, was enthroned in the praises of His chosen people, which now includes you and I.
Think of that for a moment, would you?
The Lord God dwelling in, inhabiting, living in, enthroned in, the praises of His people.
Hey, are you one of His people? If you don't think you are, go see someone or email me at EMAIL ME at pastorjim@threestoneschurch.org.
But if you are one...and if you are seeking Him...praise Him and see Him appear.
Seek.
Find.
Hey, are you one of His people? If you don't think you are, go see someone or email me at EMAIL ME at pastorjim@threestoneschurch.org.
But if you are one...and if you are seeking Him...praise Him and see Him appear.
Seek.
Find.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Seek God for the City - Day 15: See Him. Seek Him.
If you would like to join and follow this blog, click HERE!
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers. Our new weekly focus is:spiritual awakening of lost and broken people. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of Asia and the Pacific. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of elderly people, and asking Him to rescue the desperate.
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Man, they were close. Oh, so close.
After two years of travelling from Egypt(including some extended stays) the Israelites were on the cusp of entry into the Promised Land. It had been a long trip, but now they were here. God instructed them to send twelve spies into Canaan to check it out. Numbers 13 and 14 tell the story. The spies came back and all agreed that this place was awesome! It did indeed flow with milk and honey -- they all agreed...but...all but Caleb feared they (forgetting that it was God's promise) could not defeat the current residents. Afraid the people would follow Caleb's lead, the other eleven not only told the nation that they were afraid of the people living there, but they lied and said the land itself was bad (v. 13:32). And the people rebelled.
So instead of leading them to victory in Canaan, God pledges to keep them in the desert for forty years, until all who had left Egypt died, (save Caleb and Joshua) and only their descendants would enter the land.
Can you imagine? The same people who saw the Egyptians struck down by the plagues while they lived, who saw the Red Sea swallow up Pharaoh's army while they walked through on dry land, the same people who saw manna from Heaven, water from rock, who saw the very Presence of God in the cloud and fire, doubted He could lead them into Canaan.
And God stayed with them as they wandered.
They saw God - but didn't seek Him.
Had they sought the heart of the One whose miracles they saw with their own eyes the would have walked victoriously into the Land of Milk and Honey.
Instead, they wandered.
Choose to seek and see.
Believe what you see.
Have faith that His power is real for you.
Seek.
Find.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Seek God for the City - Day 14: Seeking You for the Kingdom
If you would like to join and follow this blog, click HERE!
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers. Our new weekly focus is:spiritual awakening of lost and broken people. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of Asia and the Pacific. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of fathers, and asking Him to display His mercy.
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3: 8-9
As you are, as I am, as we are, seeking God for the city, on behalf of people, places, and activities, this verse exploded in my ears from the lips of some pastor, as I heard a recorded message this morning.
God called to the man, “Where are you?”
I am pretty sure God knew exactly which bush Adam was hiding behind.
I remember asking many young man who worked for me in the Air Force, and to be honest, I'm sure some supervisors raised their voices and asked me, "Where's your head at?" It was not a question of geography -- it was a question of attitude, a question of focus, a question of intention. It's more like "What are you thinking?" And I think this is the question God was really calling out to Adam. Adam sinned, tried to hide from the Creator in His own creation, and God was asking Him, "Where are you?" In other words, 'Adam, where's your head at?' Or 'what are you thinking?'
OK, am I walking around as if God doesn't know what's going on in my life?
God isn't hiding from us; we need to make sure we're not hiding from Him.
Seek.
Find.
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers. Our new weekly focus is:spiritual awakening of lost and broken people. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of Asia and the Pacific. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of fathers, and asking Him to display His mercy.
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Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3: 8-9
As you are, as I am, as we are, seeking God for the city, on behalf of people, places, and activities, this verse exploded in my ears from the lips of some pastor, as I heard a recorded message this morning.
God called to the man, “Where are you?”
I am pretty sure God knew exactly which bush Adam was hiding behind.
I remember asking many young man who worked for me in the Air Force, and to be honest, I'm sure some supervisors raised their voices and asked me, "Where's your head at?" It was not a question of geography -- it was a question of attitude, a question of focus, a question of intention. It's more like "What are you thinking?" And I think this is the question God was really calling out to Adam. Adam sinned, tried to hide from the Creator in His own creation, and God was asking Him, "Where are you?" In other words, 'Adam, where's your head at?' Or 'what are you thinking?'
OK, am I walking around as if God doesn't know what's going on in my life?
God isn't hiding from us; we need to make sure we're not hiding from Him.
Seek.
Find.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Seek God for the City - Day 13; Seeing is not always believing
If you would like to join and follow this blog, click HERE.
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers. Our new weekly focus is: spiritual awakening of lost and broken people. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of the Asia and the Pacific. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of depressed people, and asking Him to draw the lost with His persistent love.
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Since the beginning of 2012, there have been a number of teen suicides in and around the community in which I live. When we began this forty days of prayer, that was heavy on many of our minds and we were arming ourselves to pray against that darkness.
I write this having just heard late yesterday that there may have been yet another, in a town just south of here.
My eyes tell me prayer is not working. Just look around.
My eyes (and ears) are sometimes easy targets for the enemy. We see all the bad that continues regardless of our best prayer efforts. And after all, seeing is believing, right?
Not so fast. We have something better than sight. 1 Corinthians 5:2 tells us we walk by faith and not by sight. Some people use the term "blind faith" and I have grown to dislike that term. "Blind faith" sounds like we can't make out what is around us, what is ahead, and that we are just jumping off a cliff with a desperate notion (thanks Indiana Jones) that something will be there when we land.
"Seeing is believing."
Hogwash.
Our eyes are limited and deceptive. Thanks to microscopes and telescopes and prisms I know all kinds of things exist that the naked eye fails to perceive and went unknown for the majority of history.
Our eyes try to tell us that a man's heart is different because he looks different. But faith tells us that there is a truth in the heart that God sees and will share with us.
Our eyes try to tell us that prayers don't achieve anything. But faith says that God hears and responds!
Imagine an island where everyone is born and remains blind. They would move about in their lives not knowing anything about vision. Then imagine a physician shows up on the island, and knows some simple procedure to bring sight. Only one man will try it at first. Can you imagine his response?
In this world, those with faith are like that man. We have something that allows us to move about "seeing" better than the rest of the world who remain spiritually blind! That is faith! And when we have difficulty "seeing" with our faith, we need to remember to grab tightly to the hand of God and walk with Him. Faith is that too -- holding the hand of, and walking with the One who can truly see!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Seek God for the City - Day 12: Getting in position to seek
If you would like to join and follow this site click HERE.
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers. Our new weekly focus is: spiritual awakening of lost and broken people. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of the Asia and the Pacific. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of government leaders, and asking Him to call people to sincere repentance.
So, seeking God? Where should we look?
How should we look? Can we better position ourselves to see?
Matthew 18:2-4 says: (Jesus) called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
So then, what does it mean to 'humble ourselves'? I recently listened to then read a sermon from John MacArthur, here's an excerpt: "The humility of a child, what do we mean by that? Well, children are humble. What do we mean when we say they're humble? They have no achievements. They have no accomplishments. They have no personal means to achieve or to accomplish. We're talking about infants, little ones. They have no ability to chart their own course, they have no wisdom to face the world. They have no ability to protect themselves, to provide for themselves. They are weak. They are dependent. They are immature. They are ignorant. They are simple minded. They are vulnerable. They are in desperate need of care and that's exactly how it is for those who enter the Kingdom. We recognize that we have no achievement, no merit, no accomplishment. We are weak, ignorant, dependent, immature, ignorant, simple-minded, vulnerable. We can't defend ourselves. We can't achieve anything by some accomplishment. We have no ability for those kinds of things. We have no credentials. We have nothing to offer. A baby has no personal worth or glory, having accomplished nothing.
That's what you have to be like or you won't even enter My Kingdom."
From John MacArthur's Grace to You.
The same principle applies to seeking God...after all, we are seeking His Kingdom first, right? So, in order to seek Him, to see Him, we must get into position; we must admit that we are "weak, ignorant, dependent, immature, ignorant, simple-minded, vulnerable. We can't defend ourselves. We can't achieve anything by some accomplishment. We have no ability for those kinds of things. We have no credentials. We have nothing to offer."
That is childlike faith. That is the position from which we can see our way into the Kingdom.
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers. Our new weekly focus is: spiritual awakening of lost and broken people. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of the Asia and the Pacific. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of government leaders, and asking Him to call people to sincere repentance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How should we look? Can we better position ourselves to see?
Matthew 18:2-4 says: (Jesus) called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. So then, what does it mean to 'humble ourselves'? I recently listened to then read a sermon from John MacArthur, here's an excerpt: "The humility of a child, what do we mean by that? Well, children are humble. What do we mean when we say they're humble? They have no achievements. They have no accomplishments. They have no personal means to achieve or to accomplish. We're talking about infants, little ones. They have no ability to chart their own course, they have no wisdom to face the world. They have no ability to protect themselves, to provide for themselves. They are weak. They are dependent. They are immature. They are ignorant. They are simple minded. They are vulnerable. They are in desperate need of care and that's exactly how it is for those who enter the Kingdom. We recognize that we have no achievement, no merit, no accomplishment. We are weak, ignorant, dependent, immature, ignorant, simple-minded, vulnerable. We can't defend ourselves. We can't achieve anything by some accomplishment. We have no ability for those kinds of things. We have no credentials. We have nothing to offer. A baby has no personal worth or glory, having accomplished nothing.
That's what you have to be like or you won't even enter My Kingdom."
From John MacArthur's Grace to You.
The same principle applies to seeking God...after all, we are seeking His Kingdom first, right? So, in order to seek Him, to see Him, we must get into position; we must admit that we are "weak, ignorant, dependent, immature, ignorant, simple-minded, vulnerable. We can't defend ourselves. We can't achieve anything by some accomplishment. We have no ability for those kinds of things. We have no credentials. We have nothing to offer."
That is childlike faith. That is the position from which we can see our way into the Kingdom.
Seek.
Find.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Seek God for the City - Day 11: A good place to seek God
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We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers. Our weekly focus continues to be praying through hope; revival of the church. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of the Americas and the Caribbean. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of those in gangs, and asking Him to manifest His presence and glory.
So, seeking God? Where should we look?
David said God was, well, everywhere. You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me...where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. (from Psalm 139)
Yet, still we seek. So, if we cannot find Him like David did, where might we look?
How about church? Is that too obvious an answer? Too trite maybe?
No! Christ established His church, in part, for just that purpose. He built it as the earthly institution which would house, affirm, and attend to His people. (see Matt. 16:18-19 & 18:15-20)
He stated that as the Father was in Him, He would be in His people, the church. (John 17:20-23)
His intent was that the wisdom of God be made known through the church. (Ephesians 3:10)
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers. Our weekly focus continues to be praying through hope; revival of the church. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of the Americas and the Caribbean. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of those in gangs, and asking Him to manifest His presence and glory.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
David said God was, well, everywhere. You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me...where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. (from Psalm 139)
Yet, still we seek. So, if we cannot find Him like David did, where might we look?
How about church? Is that too obvious an answer? Too trite maybe?
No! Christ established His church, in part, for just that purpose. He built it as the earthly institution which would house, affirm, and attend to His people. (see Matt. 16:18-19 & 18:15-20)
He stated that as the Father was in Him, He would be in His people, the church. (John 17:20-23)
His intent was that the wisdom of God be made known through the church. (Ephesians 3:10)
Christians are called to submit to their spiritual leaders. (Hebrews 13:17 & 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) Those leaders are found, yes, in the church. Not every church has those leaders, but the right church has those leaders.
And Hebrews 10:25 tells us to not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Being a part of Christ's Body, the church, is vital to seeking and finding God.
So, go to church. Make sure you become a church where the Word of God is taught, where Jesus is proclaimed as the only way to God, and where the work of the Holy Spirit is evident.
Seek.
Find.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Seek God for the City - Day 10: Steps
We are continuing to Seek God for the City, following this great plan laid out by Waymakers. Our weekly focus continues to be praying through hope; revival of the church. Under that umbrella, we are seeking God this week on behalf of the Americas and the Caribbean. Today, we are seeking God on behalf of ministries, and asking Him to restore our families.
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So, seeking God? The Seek God for the City book from Waymakers does a tremendous job helping us focus on seeking God on behalf of the people, places, organizations, geographic areas, and specific actions that it lays out each day. I have forayed into those once, but I really feel God is calling me, not to add to those specifics, but rather to talk about the "seeking" itself. 1 Corinthians 10: 32-33 says: Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God — even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
Paul says he is not seeking his own good.
Paul says he is "...seeking the...good of many..."
And he is seeking that good so that they may be saved.
The words "seek God" are not explicitly here, but they are here! OK, this is not THE three steps, not the only three steps to finding God - but they are three pretty important ones. Let's look:
1. Not seeking your own good above God and others. When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus said Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. And He said the second one was like the first: Love your neighbor as your self.
2. Seek the good for many. What is that? Jesus said no one is good but God.
3. Remembering the why we seek on behalf of others; so that they may be saved.
This is what I am saying. Putting Him and others before your self, and helping others find God for their own salvation, are ways to help each of us find God for ourselves.
Just remember...He is our Father and He's not hiding.
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