Recently I was rereading some papers written by one of my students nearly a decade ago. The following paragraph was included in his writing.

“After I became a Christian, I realized that being a Christian is a gift that we have to receive and we should receive it because he (Jesus) died on the cross for our sins, and going to heaven is a really good thing because there is no sin, death, or pain in heaven.  So I think whoever isn’t a Christian should become one because you never know when you are going to die.”

This student included the following verse in his writings.

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life …” (John 3:16 ESV)

This student’s writing showed that he had a basic understanding of a number of Biblical truths.

• Salvation is a gift from God.
• Jesus paid the penalty for our sins.
• We need to believe Jesus died for us.
• Heaven will be a good place to spend eternity.
• We need to accept God’s offer of salvation while we still have the chance.
• Most of us do not know when or how we are going to die.

It was very encouraging to me to be reminded of how well some of my students understood and responded to the message of salvation.

I was saddened to hear that this former student was recently killed.

If you have never accepted the gift of salvation you need to seriously reflect on this student’s challenge to you. “So I think whoever isn’t a Christian should become one because you never know when you are going to die.”

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,  so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.  (Hebrews 9:27-28 NLT)

Click here to view previous posts on the Seeking His Kingdom website.

If you liked this post, share it with a friend.

We just celebrated the 239^th birthday of our nation.  As we reflect on the past 239 years it is easy to become discouraged.  Looking back over the history of our nation, America does not appear to be the great world power it once was.  Attacks from terrorists seem to be more and more likely to occur. Our national debt is going through the ceiling.  Numerous politicians think that it is o.k. to tell lies. Morality seems to be at an all-time low. Violent crime is part of our everyday news.   A large portion of our nation is experiencing a severe drought.  Unemployment is an ongoing issue.  It really appears that things are out of control in America.

Know this.  The events occurring in America and throughout the world are NOT out of control.  We have a sovereign God and He is very much in control.

Rather than becoming discouraged, we need to remember God’s promises to His people.

 “… Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” ( John 16:33 NLT)

God is not asleep.  Take time to reflect on the following passage of scripture.

 I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!

 He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.

 The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.

 The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.  (Psalm 121 NLT)

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.  (Isaiah 41:10 NLT)

Click here to view previous posts on the Seeking His Kingdom website.

If you liked this post, share it with a friend.

 

“It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor”   

President George Washington

 

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD … (Psalm 33:12 ESV)

Enjoy your 4^th of July Holiday.

Click here to view previous posts on the Seeking His Kingdom website.

Do you want to be a good leader in your home, at school, at work, at church, in your community?  Do you want to be a good local, state, or national politician?  Do you know what it takes to be a good leader?

Listed below are some of the qualities of a good leader.

• A good leader is strong and courageous.

 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people ….”                                           (Joshua 1:6 NLT)

• A good leader knows that his strength comes from the Lord.

The Lord is my strength and shield.
    I trust him with all my heart. (Psalm 28:7 NLT)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT)

• A good leader knows and adheres to Biblical principles.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8 ESV)

• A good leader is not fearful or easily discouraged.

…. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 ESV)

•  A good leader is just and hates wrongdoing.

A just king gives stability to his nation … (Proverbs 29:4 NLT)

It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness. (Proverbs 16:12 ESV)

• A good leader is diligent.

The hand of the diligent will rule… (Proverbs 12:24 ESV)

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is … to lead, do it diligently.…. (Romans 12:6 & 8 NIV)

• A good leader is honest.

But select from all the people … honest men who fear God …. Appoint them as leaders … (Exodus 18:21 NLT)

If a king judges the poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever.  (Proverbs 29:14 NASB)

The Lord detests lying lips,
but he delights in those who tell the truth. (Proverbs 12:22 NLT)

• A good leader has a servant heart.

… the leader should be like a servant. (Luke 22:26 NLT)

• A good leader is humble.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3 ESV)

• A good leader is wise, understanding, and experienced.

Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.’ (Deuteronomy 1:13 ESV)

• A good leader seeks wise council.

.Without wise leadership, a nation falls;
there is safety in having many advisers. Proverbs 11:14 NLT

Because of me (wisdom), kings reign,
and rulers make just decrees. (Proverbs 8:15 NLT)

• A good leader leads by example.

 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12 ESV)

A good leader:

A good leader is strong and courageous.

A good leader knows that his strength comes from the Lord.

A good leader knows and adheres to Biblical principles.

A good leader is not fearful or easily discouraged.

A good leader is just and hates wrongdoing.

A good leader is diligent.

A good leader is honest.

A good leader has a servant heart.

A good leader is humble.

A good leader is wise, understanding, and experienced.

A good leader seeks wise council..

A good leader leads by example.

How do you measure up as a leader?

How do those who lead you measure up?

How do the leaders that you want to put into political office measure up?

Happy is the land whose king is a noble leader …  (Ecclesiastes 10:17 NLT)

Click here to view previous posts on the Seeking His Kingdom website.

If you liked this post, share it with a friend.

Just because something is right in our eyes doesn’t mean that it is, in fact, right.

Many people believe they are capable of making good decisions without God’s help, and believe that their behavior is appropriate.

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes… (Proverbs 16:2 ESV)

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes… (Proverbs 21:2 ESV)

However, in reality, what they believe or how they act is contrary to the will of God.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT)

Believing we are right when in fact we are wrong is a behavior that applies to individuals as well as to nations (even to Supreme Courts).  This was true of the nation of Israel.

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6 ESV)

 

Doing whatever seems right in our own eyes is doing evil in the sight of the Lord.

What happens when we do things our way rather than God’s way?

• We lack success.

Thus says the LORD of hosts, …. ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’   But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward. (Jeremiah 7:21-24 ESV)

• We are conquered by our enemies.

And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD …. And they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, …. And they provoked the LORD to anger. …. So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers, who plundered them. And he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies, so that they could no longer withstand their enemies. Whenever they marched out, the hand of the LORD was against them for harm, as the LORD had warned, and as the LORD had sworn to them. And they were in terrible distress. (Judges 2:11-15 ESV)

• We experience death.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 16:25 ESV)

“So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. …. Serve the Lord alone.  But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. …. But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”  (Joshua 24:14-15 NLT)

(You may want to reread the posts entitled “Living the Life God Planned for You to Live”)

Click here to view previous posts on the Seeking His Kingdom website.

If you liked this post, share it with a friend.

Sing for joy, O heavens!
Rejoice, O earth!
Burst into song, O mountains!
For the Lord has comforted his people
and will have compassion on them in their suffering.
(Isaiah 49:13 NLT)

 

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they (we) have no excuse for not knowing (worshiping) God. (Romans 1:20 NLT)

For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind,
and declares to man what is his thought,
who makes the morning darkness,
and treads on the heights of the earth
— the LORD, the God of hosts, is his name!
(Amos 4:13 ESV)

(Be sure to read future posts that will discuss worshiping God.)

Click here to view previous posts on the Seeking His Kingdom website.

If you liked this post, share it with a friend.

 

Recently I was kayaking through some tidal marshland in southern Georgia. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, of Fiddler crabs were scampering around in the mud.  Larger crabs, turtles, and fish were swimming in the water. Numerous oyster beds were scattered throughout the marshes. Tiny snails were seen clinging to the marsh grass. I observed different species of birds. Dragonflies were darting back and forth.  The list of living organisms could go on and on.

As I was paddling through the marshland, I realized that this was becoming a genuine and meaningful worship experience for me.

Godly worship is a 24/7 lifestyle of both knowing God and responding to Him.

I was reminded of the fact that there is a sovereign God.  I knew that this marshland was part of His creation. Dragonflies, one small part of God’s creation, are amazing.    Scientists tell us that the head of a dragonfly has two large compound eyes.  Each eye has as many as 30,000 lenses. A dragonfly has nearly 360 degree vision.  A dragonfly has a wider spectrum of color than humans.  Wow!  God’s creation is awesome.

My response:

“You are worthy, O Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
(Revelation 4:11 NLT)

Then God said, “Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.”  So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that scurries and swarms in the water, and every sort of bird—each producing offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.  (Genesis 1:20-21 NLT)

(Be sure to read future posts that will discuss worshiping God.)

Click here to view previous posts on the Seeking His Kingdom website.

If you liked this post, share it with a friend.

Scripture clearly teaches that the worship of God needs to be a priority in the life of every Christian.  We were created to worship.  If we choose not to worship God, we are not living the life God created us to live.  We have no excuses for not worshiping God.

We have no excuses for not worshiping God.

 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.   

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.  (Romans 1:20-21 NLT)

The heavens declare the glory of the Lord

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.  (Psalm 19:1-2 NLT)

All of God’s creation has been instructed to worship God.

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! 
Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
Let the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord, for he is coming! …  (Psalm 96:11-13 NLT)

Praise the Lord! 
Praise the Lord from the heavens!
Praise him from the skies!
Praise him, all his angels!
Praise him, all the armies of heaven!
Praise him, sun and moon!
Praise him, all you twinkling stars!
Praise him, skies above!
Praise him, vapors high above the clouds!
Let every created thing give praise to the Lord,
for he issued his command, and they came into being. …
Praise the Lord from the earth,
you creatures of the ocean depths,
fire and hail, snow and clouds,
wind and weather that obey him,
mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all livestock,
small scurrying animals and birds, …
Let them all praise the name of the Lord.
For his name is very great;
his glory towers over the earth and heaven! (Psalm 148:1-13 NLT)

Even if we don’t worship God, His creation will worship Him.

The rocks will recognize God for who He is.

He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”  (Luke 19:40 NLT)

Conclusion:

You were created to worship God.  If you want to live a fulfilled and joyful life, develop a lifestyle of worshiping God 24/7.  You have no excuse not to do so!

(Be sure to read future posts that will discuss worshiping God.)

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11 ESV)

Click here to view previous posts on the Seeking His Kingdom website.

If you liked this post, share it with a friend.

Scripture clearly teaches that the worship of God needs to be a priority in the life of every Christian.  Godly worship is a 24/7 lifestyle that can be manifested in various ways.

What happens when worshiping God becomes a daily routine in our lives?

Worshiping God enriches our lives in many ways.

Worshiping God helps us experience a closer relationship with Him.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. … (James 4:8 ESV)

But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29 ESV)

Worshiping God helps our prayer life to mature. (Prayer is a part of worship)

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. (1 John 5:14 ESV)

Worshiping God helps us experience more of His blessings. (Giving is a part of worship)

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” (2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT)

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. (Malachi 3:10 ESV)

Worshiping God helps us delight in Scripture.

 I will delight in your decrees
and not forget your word. 
Your laws please me;
they give me wise advice.
How I delight in your commands!
How I love them!
Your laws are my treasure;
they are my heart’s delight.
Psalm 119:16, 24, 47, 111

 Worshiping God brings us joy.

 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, …
You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!
I sing for joy because of what you have done.O 
O Lord, what great works you do! …                        
Psalm 92:1-5

 Worshiping God (focusing on Jesus) energizes us.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, … (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)

 

What happens when worshiping God becomes a daily routine in our lives?

Worshiping God helps us experience a closer relationship with Him.

Worshiping God helps our prayer life to mature.

Worshiping God helps us experience more of His blessings.

Worshiping God helps us delight in Scripture.

Worshiping God brings us joy.

Worshiping God (focusing on Jesus) energizes us.

(Be sure to read future posts that will discuss worshiping God.)

 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11 ESV)

Click here to view previous posts on the Seeking His Kingdom website.

If you liked this post, share it with a friend.

Scripture clearly teaches that the worship of God needs to be a priority in the life of every Christian.  Godly worship is a 24/7 lifestyle that can be manifested in various ways.

When is the best time to worship God?

Scripture tells us to worship:

Always

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (Philippians 4:4 ESV)

… giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 5:20 ESV)

Without ceasing

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 ESV)

All day long

That is why I can never stop praising you;
I declare your glory all day long.  (Psalm 71:8 NLT)

Constantly

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, (1 Thessalonians 1:2 ESV)

Forever

For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.  (Romans 11:36 NLT))

When you are at home,

when you are on the road,

when you are going to bed,

and when you are getting up.

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.  And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. (Deuteronomy 6:5-7 NLT)

 

Worship “always”.

Worship “without ceasing”.

Worship “all day long”.

Worship “constantly”.

Worship “forever”.

Worship “when you are at home”.

Worship “when you are on the road”.

Worship “when you are going to bed”.

Worship “when you are getting up”.

 

Godly worship is a 24/7 lifestyle.

Worship God always.

 

(Be sure to read future posts that will discuss worshiping God.)

 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11 ESV)

Click here to view previous posts on the Seeking His Kingdom website.

If you liked this post, share it with a friend.