On 4th of September, Pastor Vernon Falls, Founder and President of Lifeline Ministries International Ministries, shared a poignant message about seeking the Lord in Renewal Lutheran Church in Petaling Jaya.
This topic has convicted me to write a commentary following Pastor Vernon’s sermon.
#1 Keep your eyes in the Word
We seek the Lord by learning about Him in His Word. Knowing the Word is important to discern His voice, as His voice never contradicts the Word.
“Why is that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make but slow advances in the divine life? Because they neglect their closets, and do not thoughtfully meditate on God’s Word. They love the wheat, but they do not grind it; they would have the corn, but they will not go forth in the fields to gather it; the fruit hangs upon the tree, but they will not pluck it; the water flows at their feet, but they will not stoop to drink it.”
– Charles Spurgeon
Some of us go to church, but we have not wrestle and contend with Scripture, to wholeheartedly embrace the Word.
We do not personally know the Word of God as the absolute truth (John 17:17; Psalm 119:104-105), thorough sanctifier (John 17:17; Hebrews 4:12) and powerful weapon against the dark forces (Ephesians 6:17).
Because of that, we miss out on the great promises of God in the Bible, which are all “Yes” in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Sometimes, we sabotage ourselves when we speak about failures and sicknesses in faith, which are against the Word of God. That is why ‘ death and life are in the power of the tongue’ (Proverbs 18:21).
Instead, we need to speak about success, health and other promises in faith, according to the Word of God.
God is faithful and He will do what He says.
We also need to do our part and act out our faith. Although David prayed for success in his war, he went out to fight in the war and gain victory. Faith is made complete by works (James 2:22).
#2 Keep your eyes on the Lord
Seeking the Lord also means keeping our eyes on Him. When we have God at the centre of our lives, everything is kept in perfect balance and harmony.
However, if this centre is replaced by anything else either than God (even if it appears noble), it will wreck havoc in our lives.
That is why we are called to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all things will be added to us as well (Matthew 6:33).
Keeping our eyes on God also means focussing on Him, regardless of our circumstances. Like David who wrote psalms for every season of his life, we are to look to God in every season of our life too.
One of my favourite psalms written by David was this: “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 27:4).
As we gaze upon Jesus, we are transformed into His image from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). We become what we look at and trust in (Psalm 115:8).
#3 Keep your eyes in the relationship
Seeking the Lord also means developing intimacy with Him through fellowship. Like how we develop a relationship with a person, fellowshipping with God comes from spending time with Him, talking to Him and hearing from Him.
All of us can hear from God and God speaks to us. Jesus says, , “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).
God’s voice can come in a form of impression, words, dreams and visions, which are always consistent to His Word.
Jesus woke up early in the morning to seek God. Mark 1:35 says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” We want to start the day with God.
Conclusion
Hence, seeking the Lord involves keeping our eyes on His Word, the Lord, and our relationship with Him. When we set these pillars in place, we will grow to know Him more and more.
The greatest blessing in accepting Christ is to know Him personally and intimately (Hebrews 9:11).
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