#seeking god

[walkswithmyfather]

Psalm 27:4 (NIV). [4] “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”

Psalm 63:1 (NIV). [1] “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”

“Seek the Lord” By In Touch Ministries:

“A close relationship with the Lord is built by dedicating time to spend with Him—day by day, year by year.”

“A close relationship with the Lord doesn’t happen accidentally. It requires continual, deliberate decisions to pursue Him. Intimacy can’t be achieved in an inspiring weekend conference, nor can it be accomplished by reading a chapter or two of the Bible and praying indifferently. Seeking God is a lifetime commitment—day by day, year by year.

Too many believers are satisfied to have a shallow, superficial relationship with the Lord. They’ll approach God for relief from suffering or fulfillment of other needs but are unwilling to sit quietly for an extended period of time just getting to know Him through prayer and His Word. Yet the most important pursuit in a believer’s life is building a relationship with God. (See Ps. 27:4.) To forfeit this great blessing is a tragedy.

God doesn’t need anything from you, but He desires your loving devotion and intimate fellowship. Ask yourself, Is this what I want, too? If your answer is yes, are you willing to make the necessary commitment? Seeking the Lord cannot be something you hurry through or approach casually (Psalm 63:1). It will cost you time and effort, but the rewards are worth any sacrifice.”

[Photo thanks to Mohamed Nohassi at Unsplash]

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

A Prayer for Restoration

Turn us back, O Jehovah, to thee, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old. — Lamentations 5:21 | Smith's Literal Translation (SMITH) The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments; Translated Literally From The Original Tongues by Julia E. Smith. Cross References: Psalm 80:3; Isaiah 56:6-7; Jeremiah 31:18-19; Hosea 14:1-2; Joel 2:12-13; Zechariah 1:3; Malachi 3:7

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Thoughts on Today's Verse When these words were first spoken, the prophet and his people were focused on God's restoration of Israel back to their place in Judea, their prominence in the world of nations, their beauty in daily life, and their worship and security in the Temple of the Lord. From our vantage point, this prayer can be our prayer as well. Restoration can mean Christ's return, which brings us home to God. On that day, every barrier standing between God and us will fall. Our mortality will be swallowed up in victory. We will see God face to face and walk with him in the cool of the day as his perfect children. Maranatha — O Lord come (1 Corinthians 16:22-24 NRSV). And may that day come soon!

The Thoughts on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

[your-heart-is-a-treasure]

Everything gets a little clearer, the closer you get to God.

[christianotome]

Even mind-readers want to have verbal conversations

God knows what we’re going to say or think much before we’re able to form a coherent thought. Psalms 139:4 says “For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.”

However He still expects us to actively talk to him (that is, to pray). The Bible instructs us to:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)

“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

[iamnotcoolenough]

I won't lie I've gotten into debates with people over misconceptions of the bible and often I am told "well you must be part of "God's" chosen people, and only they can understand the bible." And that's not verbatim but pretty much what they like to say at me and recently something popped I to my head regarding this.

Matthew 11:15

"Whosoever has ears, let them hear."

I don't pretend to understand even a fraction of what the bible means. Sometimes it's hard to sit through (lookin at you the numbers and the later half of genesis haha). But there are verses and things that stick out and understanding rains down like a warm hug upon my head. And that's awesome it's like a lil light bulb moment.

And with that said let me explain what was revealed to me.

"Whosoever has ears, let them hear."

Yes, let them hear the word of the Lord, but it also means let all those who are willing and wanting to not only listen but to understand.

James 1:5-8 "5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."

Meaning if you don't look in faith and don't look for God and look only for youurself you will find nothing but words that aggravate you. You will see a cage and a rule book you don't want to abide by. You will get the world and lose your life. James 4:4 "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." And with out God we are dead. John 15:5 "5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." And further in Ephesians 2:1-10: "1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

Without God sending Jesus down we would be dead in a grave and doomed to eternity in hell. So if we look for the Lord in faith, we will find him.

Jeremiah 29:13

"13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

[pumpkin-the-girlie-girl-vixen]

Down To The River To Pray: Alison Krauss

As I went down in the river to pray

Studying about that good old way

And who shall wear the robe and crown

Good Lord, show me the way!

O brothers let's go down

Let's go down, come on down

Come on brothers let's go down

Down in the river to pray

As I went down in the river to pray

Studying about that good old way

And who shall wear the starry crown

Good Lord, show me the way!

O mothers let's go down

Let's go down, come on down

Come on mothers let's go down

Down in the river to pray

As I went down in the river to pray

Studying about that good old way

And who shall wear the starry crown

Good Lord, show me the way!

O fathers let's go down

Let's go down, come on down

Come on fathers let's go down

Down in the river to pray

Ill Mind Of Hopsin 7

It's us, find power

Live life, mind power

It's us, find power

Live life, mind power

Yo, fuck anybody I might alarm

Life is a tour, I sit and ride along

Taking some notes and then I write the song

I'm staring down the road my life has gone

Is this where I belong?

Is it wrong to not believe in right and wrong?

My mental state is fucking me up

And I cried a pond while asking you for some answers

But we don't have that type of bond

That my desires gone with the way that I've been living lately

If I died right now, you'd turn the fire on

Sick of this bullshit, niggas call me a sell-out

Cause I hopped on Christianity so strongly then I fell out

Now I'm avoiding questions like a scared dog with his tail down

Feeling so damn humiliated because they looking at me like I'm hellbound

What story should I tell now? I'll just expose the truth

I'm so close to the fucking edge, I should be close to you

But who the fuck are You? You never showed the proof

And I'm only fucking human yo, what am I supposed to do?

There's way too many different religions with vivid descriptions

Begging all fucking men and women to listen

I can't even beat my dick without getting convicted

These ain't wicked decisions, I got different intentions

I been itching to get it, I've been given assistance

But the whole fucking system is twisted

Now I'm dealing with this backlash because Marcus isn't a Christian

And I've been told that my sinful life is an addiction

But I can't buy it, it's just too hard to stand beside it

I need an answer and humans can't provide it

I look at the Earth and Sun and I can tell a genius man designed it

It's truly mind blowing, I can't deny it

Is heaven real? Is it fake? Is it really how I fantasize it?

Where's the Holy Ghost at? How long it take Man to find it?

My mind's a nonstop tape playing and I can't rewind it

You gave me a Bible and expect me not to analyze it?

I'm frustrated and you provoked it

I'm not reading that motherfucking book because a human wrote it

I have a fucking brain, you should know it

You gave it to me to think to avoid every useless moment

It was a mission that I had to abort

Cause humans be lying with such an inaccurate source

It's gon' be hard to put me back on the course

Next Jehovah's Witness to come on my porch

I swear I'm slammin' the door

A lot of folks believe it though, but I'm not surprised

Humans are fucking dumb, still thinkin' that Pac's alive

I ain't trying to take your legacy and torch it down

I'm just saying: I ain't heard shit from the horse's mouth

Just sheep always telling stories of older guys

Who were notarized by you when you finally vocalized

Now I'm supposed to bow my head and close my eyes

And somehow let the Holy Ghost arise

Sound's like a fucking Poltergeist

Show yourself and then boom it's done

Every rumor's gone, I no longer doubt this shit, you're the One

I'll admit that my sinful ways was stupid fun

And all my old habits can hop onto of a roof to plunge

I'll donate to a charity that could use the funds

Fuck the club, instead of bitches I'd hang with a group of nuns

And everyone that I ran into would know what I came to do

I wouldn't take a step unless it was in the name of You

I hate the fact that I have to believe

You haven't been chatting with me like you did Adam and Eve

And I ain't seen no fucking talking snake unravel from trees

With an apple to eat, that shit never happens to me

I don't know if you do or don't exist, it's driving me crazy

Send your condolences, this is me reaching to you so don't forget

If hell is truly your pit of fire and I get thrown in it

I'mma probably regret the fact that I ever wrote this shit

My gut feeling says it's all fake, I hate to say it but fuck it, shit I done lost faith

This isn't a small phase, my perspective's all changed

My thoughts just keep picking shit apart all day

And in my mind I make perfect sense

If you aren't real then all my prayers aren't worth a cent

That would mean that I could just make up what my purpose is

And I could just sit in church and say "fuck" in the services

Man what if Jesus was a facade? Then that would mean the government's god

I feel like they've been brainwashing us with a lot

So much that we don't even notice that we're stuck in the box

Man everything is "what if", why is it always "what if"

Planet Earth "what if", the universe "what if"

My sacrifice "what if", my afterlife "what if"

Every fucking thing that deals with you is fucking suspect

I'm fucking done, I'm fucking done

This is my fucking life and I'm living it, I'm having fun

If you really care for me, prove that I need to live carefully

But I'll be damned if I put my own pleasure aside for an afterlife that isn't even guaranteed

We are you, and you're us, stop playing games

My life's all I got, and heaven is all in my brain

And when I feel I am in hell, my ideas are what get me through pain

Do as you please, and I'll just do me, I'm a human, I'll stay in my lane

Ill mind

It's us, find power

Live life, mind power

It's us, find power

Live life, mind power

Embracing the Duality: My Love for Two Powerful Songs

Music has a unique way of capturing the complexities of our experiences, emotions, and beliefs. I often find myself drawn to two songs that, on the surface, may seem worlds apart, but share a profound connection in my heart. "Down in the River to Pray" and the reflective piece that questions faith encapsulate my personal journey through belief, doubt, and the search for meaning.

Starting with "Down in the River to Pray," I find solace in its gentle melodies and lyrics that evoke a sense of community and tradition. There's a warmth in the call to come together, a yearning for guidance and understanding. Even though I may not subscribe to the beliefs presented in the song, the emotional weight behind it resonates deeply within me. It reminds me of the importance of connection—how we all seek a sense of belonging, especially during challenging times. I love the imagery of descending into the river, a metaphor for cleansing and renewal, which speaks to my own desire for growth and redemption.

Contrastingly, the other song lies in the realm of raw introspection, addressing the struggles of faith and doubt head-on. It embodies the frustration of questioning religious norms, feeling alienated, and grappling with the fear of being "hellbound." This song resonates with my own skepticism about belief systems that are often taken for granted. The artist's candid exploration of their internal conflict allows me to feel seen and understood. I appreciate the vulnerability in its lyrics, as it conveys the struggle of trying to navigate a world filled with contradictions and uncertainties.

Loving both songs simultaneously may seem contradictory, yet each fulfills a different need within me. "Down in the River to Pray" offers comfort, reminding me of the beauty in tradition and the search for divine guidance, while the other song provides an outlet for my doubts and frustrations, challenging me to think critically about faith and existence. Together, they create a balance in my life—a blend of hope and skepticism that fuels my personal growth.

Ultimately, these songs are not just melodies or lyrics to me; they represent different facets of my identity and my journey. They remind me that it's okay to embrace the duality of my feelings—loving the call for community while questioning the very foundation of that community. In a world that often demands certainty, I find peace in the uncertainty and the exploration of my beliefs. Music, in its many forms, allows me to express and understand my feelings, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

[dbcjr3]

It’s deer hunting season again! I’m not a hunter, but I’m a nature lover, and it can teach us a lot about spiritual things. In fact, a deer can teach us how much even the toughest man needs the Lord.

Psalm 42:1

As the deer pants for streams of water,

so my soul pants for you, my God.

Why is the deer panting? There’s only three reasons why deer pants:

He’s chasing after a female deer, a doe.

He’s fighting another stag over a doe.

He’s running for his life because of some danger, like a hunter or a mountain lion.

it’s the running for your life situation this psalmist is talking about. When you’re desperately needing God your soul “pants” for Him, whether you realize it or not. It’s like you have been running for your life and are heaving for your next breath. You’re excruciatingly thirsty - and the heaving breaths don’t help things.

The presence of God is like a “ stream of water”. A stream is running water, that’s pure, not stagnant. At that point we would probably drink stagnant water. In fact, in the past, we have drank stagnant water. We’ll get to that in a minute. But running water is pure water, which truly quenches our thirst.

The stagnant water? We have served other gods, chasing after love, excitement, acceptance, fulfillment, feeling good. All idols before God, maybe drugs, alcohol, sex, relationships, activities, even food. We’ve tried to comfort ourselves in many ways.

But what we need is the pure water.

David was a man among men facing Goliath as a mere boy yet he realized this. Real men know what they need to stay strong whether in the gym or at the stream.

In this case, the stream is our Lord. What we thirst for, what we are panting for, is the pure water, Jesus Christ!

In fact, the next verse says,

“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”

Jesus told the woman at the well that He was the living water and one who drinks from that living water will never thirst again. (John 4:14)

Verse 11 goes onto say:

“Why, my soul, are you downcast?

Why so disturbed within me?”

Are you feeling down, depressed, disturbed inside? Take a listen to the rest of the verse:

“Put your hope in God,”

for I will yet praise him,”

Even if you are down and disturbed he says praise Him. Why? Because David knows that the Lord is, as he puts:

“my Savior and my God.”

Jesus is our Savior. that Hebrew word for savior actually means deliverer. He not only delivers us from sin, he delivers us from the effects of sin.

I know this personally, friends. The Lord delivered me from a time when I was down, disturbed, and hopelessly addicted in many ways. We could compare my situation with yours, but that would be a waste of time. I would rather point you to the living water that quenches your thirsting soul.

My friends, that state of being down and depressed, addicted, was 40 years ago. Since then I have pastored and reached a place of leadership in addiction and mental health treatment in our state. How?

I started by panting at the Stream to reach some peace and sanity. Then I started panting at the Stream about problems in my family, then my work.

Then there was a major consolidation in the healthcare field that went on for years where mergers and acquisitions put me out on the street again and again because of layoffs - and I was the sole support of my family.

You better believe I did some painting at the Stream. Each time I got an even better job paying more because the Lord showed me at the Stream strategies that were new and more effective, and empowered me to do them.

And there’s nothing too small to come panting to the Stream about. The Lord just loves that you come and that you come panting.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTY4bLnFh/

[cherylreeves]

Poem - To Open Wide

To open wide,My mouth, my arms, my mind and heart.To spread my wingsThrough ordinary things.To dance and write and dare to sing.To abandon shame for better things.Little steps, my brave self now,For gentle motion any how.To move, to speak, to vibrancy.To see small steps as currency. At this life moment to embraceA youthful heart, a new bright race.I am not dead. I can still dance.I give myself a…

[biblebloodhound]

The Message of Palm Sunday (John 12:12-16)

Jesus made it evident he was not going to submit to what the crowd wanted. Christ had a different idea about what needed to take place.

Christ enters Jerusalem, by Hanna-Cheriyan Varghese The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—    the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: “Do not be afraid,…

[troubledontlast1]

It is simply not enough to know about God.

We must know God in increasing levels of intimacy that lifts us up above all reason and into the world of adoration and praise and worship.

[swatmark]

Acts 17.22-31 and John 14.15-21

Uncover the transformative power of a personal relationship with God through faith, obedience, and the Holy Spirit. Join us in exploring Acts 17:22-31 & John 14:15-21, deepening our connection with God. #Christianity #FaithJourney #HolySpirit #SermonNotes

Introduction Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we gather to reflect on a powerful message in the Bible passages Acts 17:22-31 and John 14:15-21. As we delve into these passages, let us explore the main focus of our sermon: the personal relationship with God through faith, obedience, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We will use our knowledge of Christian theology and the Bible to…

[walkswithmyfather]

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:7‭-‬14‬ ‭(NIV‬‬). “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

“Seek Bravely; Knock Boldly” by In Touch Ministries:

“Those who actively pursue God are never disappointed.”

“Yesterday, we looked at what it means to ask something of God and what we gain by doing so. But we are also told to do two additional things in our pursuit of God: “seek” and “knock.”

All three of the commands come with rock-solid promises: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7, emphasis added). Notice the Lord doesn’t say “maybe it will be given,” “perhaps you will find,” or “hopefully it’ll be opened.” He wants us to know that those who seek after Him will never be disappointed. The journey—however long or challenging it might be—will always be worth it.

But what kind of door does Jesus have in mind? It is Himself. In John 10:9 Jesus says, “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” Jesus is the door through which we find abundant, eternal life. When we knock, we trust that there is always more goodness in store for those who are in Christ. And when we walk through this open door, it is through faith in Christ on the path of salvation that He alone provides.

When you ask, ask for more of Jesus. When you seek, seek the path of Jesus. And when you knock, knock boldly in the certainty that Jesus will open Himself to you and welcome you home.”

(Photo by Edwin Andrade at Unsplash)

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving (Psalm 105:1–15)

Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. — 1 Chronicles 16:10 | Majority Standard Bible (MSB) The Majority Standard Bible is in the public domain. Cross References: Psalm 32:11; Psalm 34:2; Psalm 97:12; Psalm 105:3; Isaiah 41:16; Isaiah 45:25; Jeremiah 9:24; Romans 5:2; 1 Corinthians 1:31; 2 Corinthians 10:17; Philippians 3:3; Galatians 6:14

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Notes: 1 Chronicles 16:10 is a verse from a psalm of thanksgiving written by King David when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. The verse encourages believers to find joy and pride in God's name, and to seek Him wholeheartedly.

[your-heart-is-a-treasure]

I run from the chaos that is me
towards the Peace that is You.

– Rumi

[christianotome]

“When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”” (Psalms 27:8)

[tom4jc]

Psalm 109:4-5 Pray When Mistreated

In return for my love they are my accusers, but I give myself to prayer. Thus they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for love. Psalm 109:4-5 Everyday people are harmed or falsely accused by others. When this occurs, most, out of extreme anger, like to seek out revenge against the one who did wrong. There is often a desire is to make the person who did wrong to pay for it by one’s own…