“I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”
John 14: 6
12 “Look, I AM coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 22: 12-13
Pastors Noreen & Henry Kevern
Seek The Lord While He May Be Found
Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God,
for He will surely pardon.
Isaiah 55:6-7
Sounds easy, doesn’t it, seek the Lord. But sometimes the Lord seems to be hidden from us. We seem to thrash about, searching and searching but never seeming to find Him. But just where are we looking for Him? Are we searching for Him in the world around us or are we searching for Him within ourselves? Many times people are looking for God in all the wrong places. We become caught in the trappings of sin and don’t know how we can find our way out. We hide thinking that God doesn’t see us or know we exist, but God always sees you and He loves you. That is why He places before us things to catch our attention, but so often we miss what’s right before us. We run off into the wrong things being led astray by the devil and lose our way. So where then is God? Will He forgive me of the things that I have done in my life? Will He teach me what I need so that I too can live with Him?
As Christians we have to remember that God’s Spirit lives within us, and that is where we must search for God. We have to build our relationship with our Lord in order to hear what God is saying. Jesus said: “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27).
There are a lot of people hurting, struggling, and wondering if they are loved or if it is even worth it. Life piles up and somehow we get lost among all of it. We get so overwhelmed that we don’t know what to do. We groan, “God help us,” and then rush off and we don’t even take time to listen to what He has to say. God waits. He waits for us to decide to come to Him and pray. He sends us reminders of His love to get our attention; a beautiful sunrise or sunset, the song of birds, children’s laughter, a smile, the list goes on and on. But we often are so caught up in the material things that we forget God.
So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin
which holds on us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for Him, He thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross,
and He is now seated at the right side of God’s throne.
Think of what He went through; how He put up with so much hatred from sinners!
So do not let yourselves become discouraged and give up.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Our goal in this life is not earthly possessions, but heavenly rewards. That is why Jesus tells us to store up heavenly things that do not rust. But we place too much on the type of car we drive, or the house we live in, what kind of clothes we wear or how many toys we have. These things will rust and fade away. But God’s love will not. We are here to build our personal relationship with God. It is a personal commitment to God that brings us to know His voice. You have to listen in order to hear Him call. Only then will you be able to hear His still small voice. That is why we must live out in our lives God’s will for us, changing ourselves from the old man of sin and into a new being in Christ. We have to learn to put off, overcome sin. When we are reborn, our spirit is without sin because it is one with God. It is up to each of us to change our bodies and souls from the sins of our past and grow in the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord. This requires a commitment from each of us to take time with the Lord, talking with Him, reading His Word and listening for what He wants us to do in His will. Those whom the devil controls, will not be able to hear God’s voice because they have hardened their hearts and have blocked themselves from hearing Him. But there is always hope for those who don’t know God.
I willingly surrender my life to God and I do ask that the Father’s will be done through me. And no, I am not perfect. But each day, I give myself to the Lord and through it all, the trials and the blessings; I see God’s hand in all of it. Sometimes I get frustrated, but then God whispers to me, “Be patient, be a guide, let my Spirit work through you. That’s My job for you.” I ask God to help me to say the words that He wants me to say. I keep myself eyeing the prize – heaven, and I thank God for all things. I know that this life only has meaning because I know that I am working towards my home in heaven. I know that I am the righteousness of God and that His blood covers me.
So how do we get through everyday life? How do we get through not having enough money to pay bills, buy food, to take care of our needs? Of not having a job, of being homeless, divorce, a child’s rebellion in drugs or alcohol, or death, of losing your home, adultery, or disease?
Lift up your tired hands, then, and strengthen your trembling knees! Keep walking on the straight path, so that the lame foot may not be disabled, but instead be healed.
Try to live in peace with everyone, and try to live a holy life, because no one will see the Lord without it. Guard against turning back from the grace of God. Let no one become like a bitter plant that grows up and causes many troubles with its poison.
Hebrews 12:12-15
Come to the Lord each day and ask Him to fill you with His strength for that day. God will supply abundantly if you ask. And take time everyday to read the Word of God. The Bible is our instruction book and only if you read it will you be able to grow in the knowledge of the Lord. When things get overwhelming, pray to God in the moment, even if it’s only “God help me!” Pray through each moment and pray for those around you as well. Minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, you will find yourself building that relationship with God and growing in His wisdom and knowledge. If you don’t understand it ask for help. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the wisdom to understand before you begin reading, and you can ask your minister, or myself to help you and guide you. We are here for you. God loves you and wants you to choose to come to Him. In order to know God, we must read His Words, to learn His ways. We must put into practice the Way of the Lord. We must be satisfied with what we have and to build our relationship with the Lord. Let us choose to learn what is right and of God so that the devil does not keep you away from the Salvation that Jesus gave to you with His cross. Jesus always knew that the cross was at the end of His journey here on earth. He kept His eye on the cross and journeyed three years bringing the Good News so that we can learn to follow Him on our journey.
For God has said, “I will never leave you, I will never abandon you.” Let us be bold, then, and say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?”
Hebrews 13:5,6
