F4S: How And Who Do Ya Seek?

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

How And Who Do Ya Seek?

What’s new? Making use of a few moments free just to say hi there! Hope your day is going good. Here are some devo-musings and questions that were running through my mind ..and perhaps might encourage or challenge you some..

How do you seek the One who knows and is the Answer?

May I ask you a few questions in an attempt to stimulate your pure thinking?

Just kinda wondering out loud.. are you real casual in all that you do, or are there times when you are more aggressive? How earnest are you—how proactively are you searching and after the One who sought you first?  

Been thinking about all the things that can be such a time-suck in our culture today.. stuff that can distract us away from the things that matter the most.

I love to learn and hear interesting facts a lot, but I never want my spiritual appetite to become spoiled due to excessive TV watching. How about you?

I’ve found that even when I watch too much info-programming or travel documentaries per se, on a free day at home, then my appetite for the Scriptures and the things of God has simply gone down the drain. But it starts to return when I confess this and go against how my flesh feels.. when I start aggressively sowing to the Spirit in prayer, in fellowship, in Bible study and in witnessing.

But when I hang with carnal minded believers or with unbelievers a whole lot (too much) instead of with spiritual Christians who are growing ..you know what I mean, trying to befriend them and all.. I also start being pulled down. It’s just wrong. We’ve got to be with em, but it’s wise to limit our time there some. Don’t get me wrong, we can’t win anyone to Jesus if we are always living like isolated hermits. I do want to be with irreligious people as long as I am being a positive influence on them for their spiritual benefit etc, rather than them being a negative influence on me. When they start tearing down the work of Christ in my life by contant trash-talk, that’s when it’s time for me to politely leave.    

I know a few believers who consider themselves properly spiritually aggressive, but in reality they come off as offensive, pushy, holier than thou and simply obnoxious. Been considering some of my other friends who aggressively seek the Lord  in prayer.. I mean in a biblical way. They love to get alone with Jesus the ultimate Fisher of people and they are actually becoming more and more like Him. They listen better and take their time with the people they care about. What great examples! This saved sinner (me) wants to be like em—earnest, respectful, committed, spiritually hungry with Christ’s perspective and keen insight! Who doesn’t need the wisdom, holy fear, the understanding and knowledge of the Lord during dark days like these?

Bottom-line: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands you sinners; and purify your hearts you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up” (Jam. 4:8). Sounds like an urgent command and an invitation huh, rather than a mere Western option. Makes me want to seek to know Jesus with all my heart, mind and soul! Christ was an is wisely zealous for the righteous becoming all that He wants them to be—a light for the nations (Zech. 8:2, Jn. 2:17, Rev. 18:23)!

“When He (Jesus) had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.” ~Matthew 14:23

To face life’s many challenges and overcome each spiritual test, Jesus Christ bids us to get down to business with the Father about taking the time to stop, to pray, and to rest!

Do you really deep down believe in your heart that God is a Rewarder of faithful believers who diligently, instead of half-heartedly seek Him (Heb. 11:6)? If we did, how much would we want to turn switches off and pray?

Considering how often we call out the names of our relatives, friends, fellow students and coworkers in prayer, do we believers really believe that fervent intercession actually avails much? Has our friendly conversational style on our knees become kind of a rut when there needs to be a bit more urgency? No condo really, but I want to challenge your mind in this area.

Man, I hate to see it when “things” that are not evil in and of themselves ..tools if you will.. start pulling a Christian downwards, just because he or she gives way too much attention to them. Fishers need effective tools, but those things and the use of them are not made for idolatry (see nets). Duh!

There are so many more hobbies these days that we can find, but who among us does not want to live balanced and wise. Who doesn’t want to make the most of their seconds, minutes and days?   

There are some people that can pull you down spiritually. You know how we become like those we hang around the most.

“The one who asks questions doesn’t lose his way.” ~African Proverb

“The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” ~ Psalm 34:10

“Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore!” ~Psalm 105:4

Candidly asking the Lord some questions won’t bother Him at all. And that kind of habit can be so helpful. Go see how David’s asked God some questions in the Psalms. He was clearly seeking God and His guidance for the exact way in which he should go.

Yeah, go check out some of David’s inquiries…

“My soul also is greatly troubled; But You O Lord—how long?” (6:3).

“What is man that You are mindful of him..?” (8:4).

“WHY do You stand afar off O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble?” (10:1).

“Lord who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?” (15:1).

David in the Old Testament had some pretty tough questions for God. He wasn’t stomping on the ground if you will, demanding that the Lord answer all his personal questions. But it sounds like he was earnest, humble, needy, waiting in expectation, and really desiring closeness with God huh. David was spiritually aggressive after his first love in a good sorta way!

He had discovered what it was like to lose his way before, when he excluded God and secretly followed after his own pleasures with a neighbors wife. But as he penned the Psalms, he was a diligent vigilant man in earnest search of vertical relationship, partnership, and godliness.. which meant he spent time probing God’s mind about difficult matters.

Questions. Hey, like David, you have them too. Don’t keep them on hold. Keep asking Jesus. Then, through bold faith in what God has already said, and through the work of His sinner-loving Holy Spirit, listen closely as the ultimate Fisher leads you in His evangelistic Way.

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.” ~Isaiah 55:6

“Seek the Lord all you meek of the earth who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness seek humility.” ~Zephaniah 2:3

“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground For it is time to seek the Lord till He comes and rains righteousness on you.” ~Hosea 10:12

“My mind cries its questions, my longing heart, joining: O Father, please hear me! O Spirit, keep teaching!” ~Verway

Do you say, “Yeah right Kurt, I’ve tried all that religious stuff before.. waste of time! Organized Christianity has failed me.” But listen; God hasn’t! Get in Christ first and then pray! There is no better use of time when the Spirit draws you in!!!!!!!!!!

If your family or roommates become too preoccupied with one TV show (or computer game, or social media, or movies etc) after another, after another.. simply excuse yourself and get to another room that’s more quiet for a bit. Make edifying use of that break. They might even come join you there for a simple impromptu prayer meeting or chat.

Jotted this down with a pinch of time, but I hope it makes some sense. To sum up.. it’s good to have candid questions and seek Jesus like you really mean it, rather than to always be casual or take Him and His ability to communicate for granted. This might sound kind of churchy-preachy, but why get yourself in a boring spiritual rut and not advance in your world-changing walk? Search, search, search—honestly.. keep on searching for God and His practical answers. He loves you too much to leave you in the dark. Getting alone with the Lord is thee primo spot to find the strength and guidance needed, as you press on in your upward call!