Words

"Looking, reading, searching, listening, asking, seeking."  This group of words is from Angela Thomas-Pharr's Redeemed study that we are doing in Ladies Bible Study.  (I seem to be in this study, including seeing the taping of it, for over a year now!)  But for some reason, these words, strung together wound their way into my mind, setting off a burst of thought and desire.  

This is what I want to do with God.  I want more of Him.  More of His ways, His love, His Presence in my life.  More knowledge, more intimacy, more display of His character and power.  More of everything that comes with being a child of the Most High God, the Creator, Sustainer and Savior of my soul.   These words, all though not known to me at the time, cradled the "follow Me" desire of my heart I've experienced lately.  That need to know Jesus, to literally sit at His feet and learn.  

And how do I get to the place of more?  I look, I read, I search, I listen, I ask, I seek.  Digging into the Bible, reading books and commentaries from trusted, insightful, Spirit-led authors.  Prayer, lots of prayer and quiet time before the Lord.  Sitting under gifted teachers, sound doctrine, whether it's in my church on Sunday, conferences or via video or audio.  I so want more time, more hours in my day for this!!  

I love the small things that light a fire in our hearts.  The God visits that wake us up and set us on a new path toward the Father's heart.  Renewing our energy, our focus.  And it only takes a word, an idea, a sentence to cause  a spark....how cool is that!

LOOK:  to turn one's eyes toward something or in some direction in order to see:  to glance or gaze in a manner specified:  to use one's sight or vision in seeking, searching, examining, watching, etc.

READ:  to look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of (something written, printed, etc.):

to utter aloud or render in speech (something written, printed, etc.):  to have such knowledge of (a language) as to be able to understand things written in it:

SEARCH:  to go or look through (a place, area, etc.) carefully in order to find something missing or lost:  to look at or examine (a person, object, etc.) carefully in order to find something concealed:  to explore or examine in order to discover:   to look at, read, or examine (a record, writing, collection, repository, etc.) for information:  to look at or beneath the superficial aspects of to discover a motive, reaction, feeling, basic truth, etc.:  to look into, question, or scrutinize:   (of natural elements) to pierce or penetrate:

LISTEN:  to give attention with the ear; attend closely for the purpose of hearing; give ear.  to pay attention; heed; obey (often followed by to):  to wait attentively for a sound (usually followed by for)

ASK: to put a question to; inquire of:  to request information about:  to try to get by using words; request:  to solicit from; request of:  to demand; expect:  to set a price of:  to call for; need; require: 

SEEK:  to go in search or quest of:  to try to find or discover by searching or questioning:  to try to obtain:  to try or attempt:   to go to:  to ask for; request:  Archaic. to search or explore.

The definitions are great.  Those words show the depth of how we are to find and maintain our relationship with our God.  It's like a never ending well, deep, mysterious, refreshing.  Just putting these words together with our relationship with God, reading the definitions and getting the depth of meaning for how we are to approach this relationship, is so exciting.  I'm not sure if that makes sense, but its caused a glow in my heart, and I hope you get the same stirring!  

1 Chronicles 28:9  “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.  

Our desire for the Lord is to be whole-hearted.  I know I am not always feeling it.  But I can decide to push forward with or without emotional coaxing.  And I know that within myself, where the Holy Spirit has renewed my spirit, I need and desire this intimate relationship with Jesus more than anything else.  

Thank You Lord for words that encourage us, spur us on to a deeper, closer, more vibrant and living relationship with You.  Help us to keep the fire of that need burning in our hearts.  We need more of You!!  

2 Chronicles 15:12   Then they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul.

Make a covenant with God today to look, read, search,, listen, ask, and seek.