FINDER - SEEKERS

READING: 1 CHRONICLES 28:4-9

Verse 9: “...for the LORD searches all hearts and understands a all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you...”

Just prior to that part of his instructions quoted above, Solomon had also been told to know God and to serve Him with a loyal heart and a willing mind. Even until this day there are many who want to obey those directions, and to serve in that manner. However for some, their attempts to do so become a heavy load under which they labor; attempting to know and serve the Lord. Their efforts result in stress and pressure generated by the fear of failing to do well enough. That issue brings us back to the quote above. In that statement there is relief for any who are suffering from these stresses, pressures or fears. It prescribes the Lord’s response to those who desire to properly relate to Him. We find that the essential element to success in this most important relationship is not as much in our efforts and accomplishments as some suppose. Instead, the key is first of all in our hearts and our intentions. When we sincerely regard God with our hearts and our intentions, the pressure is off. That is where He Himself intervenes. The Lord has promised that it will be He who will cause Himself to be found. When that happens, He is the One who positions us for that much desired success in relationship. As we do the seeking, the Lord can be trusted for the finding. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Why would God not do well at the game of Hide and Seek?

2. Did you find the Lord or did He find you?

MODERN TORTURE

READING: MATTHEW 18:21-35

Verse 35: “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

This verse concludes what Jesus was teaching the disciples on this occasion. He wanted it to be ingrained in them that they had to forgive others when others offended them. Further, He wanted them to embrace that kind of forgiveness as something that had to come from their hearts. In other words, insincere expressions that just sounded like statements of forgiveness, would not be acceptable. Jesus drove home the seriousness of this teaching. He told them that if they did not forgive in this manner, His heavenly Father would turn them over to the torturers or tormentors. That sounds very scary. No person knows the complete mind of the Lord with regard to being turned over to tormentors. However, to some degree probably even to a significant extent, the torturers would be our own emotions. The direct results of unforgiveness are anger and resentment which can then escalate to hatred and bitterness. The Bible says that bitterness defiles a person. The effects that responses like these can produce in a person, are potentially devastating to the point where they may truly constitute torture. Therefore, in this verse of scripture there is a powerful lesson that was not just for the disciples. For them and for contemporary Christians equally, forgiving from the heart avoids emotional torment and promotes freedom and peace. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Do people who do so realize they are choosing torment?

2. What is it about forgiving that is difficult for so many?

GOD’S PROMISE – OUR HOPE

READING: 2 TIMOTHY 3:1-9

Verse 1: “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:”

This passage of scripture is a specific warning about the conditions that it prophesies. It provides a long list of predicted ungodly behaviors to be expected. It is possible, with very little effort, to observe these behaviors in abundance around us in the world today. For example, verse 2 says there will be disobedience to parents. We see behaviors that are much worse than disobedience. Children are taking their parents to court, divorcing their parents and, horrifically, even murdering them. Even so the Lord has not abandoned us to the conditions listed 2 Timothy 3 that now surround us. It is certainly not His nature to desert His people. Instead, in chapter 4 and verse 18 of the same book, the Bible promises, “And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.” Now, in the time that is upon us, it can not be denied that ungodliness abounds in the world. In addition to that, the same source that has accurately predicted today’s conditions, also further warns of worse to come. Even in view of that reality, the fact remains that we need not be discouraged. We can continue to trust in our faithful God. He has promised to deliver and preserve His people! That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What is most perilous about these times that are prophesied?

2. What is one way that you expect the Lord will deliver and preserve?

GIT ‘ER DONE

READING: JOHN 6:22-29

Verse 29: “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.’” 

Verse 29 above is the response of the Lord Jesus when He was asked, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” That question is common to many who sincerely desire to serve in the Kingdom of God. Unfortunately, at times the pressure to know how to serve works against Believers. Motivated by their eagerness to serve, people can get ahead of where the Lord would have them to be. They can even get into ventures that are far from those ordained as God’s best for them. For example, Moses attempted to assume leadership over the Israelites in a time and manner that the Lord had not willed. He found that to be a costly mistake. The response that Jesus gave to the question He was asked, was calculated to preserve us from those kind of errors. He revealed to them that the key to kingdom effectiveness is not knowing what and how to accomplish, then getting it done. Instead, the first work, the top priority, is to believe in Him. It is through fulfilled relationship with Him that the ability to work the works of God will be granted. Once again we are brought to the very basic reality that ultimately governs in every question and situation. That reality is, “Jesus is the answer!” That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Why do you think Jesus said “Him who He sent” rather than just “Me”?

2. What is the Lord’s response when we get off track?

LOOKING FORWARD TO IT

READING: HEBREWS 12:1-11

Verse 2: “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

The most remarkable feat of endurance that has ever occurred was Jesus on the cross. We are informed by this verse that the joy that was set before Him at that time, served powerfully to inspire His endurance. The promise of a joy that was to come, sustained Him! The source of that joy was His anticipation of returning to the Father to sit down at the right hand of God’s throne. You may know a shadow of this feeling. You have just completed some hot, hard and demanding work. Now you can sit down with a cold drink, relax and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done. That feeling, infinitely multiplied, must be like the joy that was before Jesus. How good it is to know that this experience of Jesus is a prelude to what we can expect. We too have eternal joy before us! We are promised to be able to sit in the heavenly places with Christ Jesus. Can you picture the scene? He is there at the Father’s right hand and we are there in place with them. Some would call this “pie in the sky bye and bye.” It is so much more! The actual truth is that this forward looking provision strengthened our Savior during the agony of the cross. Therefore, as we need it, it will also empower you and me! That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What earthly joy is set before you?

2. In what way has your expectation of heaven helped you in this life?

AT YOUR SERVICE

READING: MATTHEW 20:20-28

Verse 26: “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desire to become great among you, let him be your servant.”

In this verse the Lord Jesus tells the disciples how to become great. The Lord’s instruction is very pertinent for us today also. This principle is especially significant because what it grants is the opposite of what people naturally attempt to do. However, our Lord has proved it to be the way the Father has established for greatness to be reached. It is clear that Jesus is the greatest person who has ever lived on earth. This truth is so undeniable that many religions which fail to properly  acknowledge Him for who He is, do still give recognition to His greatness. This verse reveals to us that the key to this greatness. It is that He served completely and far more fully than anyone else has ever done. In His life on the earth He served mankind with every type of godly ministry. In His death He served even more powerfully by winning our salvation. In His resurrection He still serves with supernatural power in the process of bringing us into divine completeness. For our Lord it was, and is, the magnitude of His service that determines the magnitude of His greatness. For us also, the power of greatness is found in the humility of service. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How do you rate yourself as a godly servant?

2. How can you become a greater godly servant?

EARLY DOES IT

READING: PSALM 30:1-6

Verse 5: “...Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

The verse above is quoted frequently. Also Psalm 49:14 promises that the upright shall have dominion in the morning. In Psalm 92:2 the psalmist chooses the morning in which to declare the loving kindness of the Lord. Nearly 40 times the Bible specifically records that someone rose early in the morning for some purpose. Mornings are often designated as important. There may be many reasons that morning times are important, but Lamentations 3:22 and Zephaniah 3:5 are especially expressive. They state that His compassions are new every morning and that He brings His justice to light every morning. In the morning, the Lord’s presence is special to those who rise to meet Him. It is good to connect with God at any time night or day, however it should be noted that the Lord Jesus has set an example for us. In Mark 1:35 the Bible says the following about Jesus, “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out a departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” Sometimes sacrifice is required, but there are rewards to be had in the morning. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.”

RESPONSE

1. What is significant about mornings compared to other times of day?

2. What counsel would you have for someone who has difficulty with connecting with the Lord in the morning?