Seek God and Live!

Amos 5:4-8
4 For thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:

5 But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought.

6 Seek the Lord, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.

7 Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,

8 Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The Lord is his name:

This word spoken by the prophet Amos can be applied to any child of God.  He is telling his people to seek him and do not turn to other false Gods.  Seek the Lord, Jesus Christ and live.  We know that the bible teaches us that the wages of sin is death and the gift of God is eternal life. So many times God has warned his children that death is coming, that destruction is coming, that JUDGEMENT is coming and yet they continue in their sin.  It is not God's desire to destroy you.  He loves you, but judgement is coming.  Jeremiah the prophet warned the people not to listen to false prophets.  He let them know that God wants peace for his people.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

There are many false prophets and teachers in the world today that have twisted the word of God to make it what they want it to be.  They are leading thousands astray from the truth but it is up to each Christian to speak the truth to their fellowman and stand true to the word of God.

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the only true God and he is a JEALOUS GOD.  He gave us ten laws to live by and because he is a jealous God one of those laws is that we shall have no other Gods before him. Man will try and tell us that we must be tolerant of other religions, that we must even go so far as to allow them to worship their Gods in our churches and will in fact go so far as to say that their God is the same God that we worship, that they just call him by another name.  We must stand upon the word of God and refuse to bow down to these false teachings.  

Exodus 20:4-6

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Jesus Christ used the word against Satan when he was tempted by him.  He did not hesitate to let him know that we are to worship the Lord God and him only.  

Mathew 4:10

10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

I am redeemed!

Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalm 106:10
And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

I love that song, "I know my redeemer lives".  It blesses the heart to know that Christ loved us so much that he chose to die on a cross in order to redeem our souls to God the Father.  I played a little game this morning that reminded me that God redeemed me, that he knows my name and I am his. Sometimes it's little things that draw us closer to the Lord.  I began reading scriptures about our redeemer and there are so many, but I am sharing just a few.

Isaiah 43:1
But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

This should be enough to make you shout the victory.  God knows your name, you are his.

Isaiah 44:6
Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

The truth of the Trinity is revealed in so many scriptures, but you see it so clearly in all those that speak of the redeemer.

Isaiah 44:22
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

God said he would never leave us.  We may stumble and fall, but he is always waiting for us to come back to him.  His love never fails.

Isaiah 52:9
Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is the only city on earth where God declared that he would put his name.  His name is with Jerusalem forever and it will always be a part of Israel. He redeemed Jerusalem! 

Kings 9:3

And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

Job 19:25
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

One day Christ will step out of the clouds and set his feet upon the mount of olives and he will rule this world.

Galatians 4:4-6
4 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

What a wonderful thought to know that we gentiles have been adopted into God's holy family.  We are heirs to the kingdom and we can call upon our Abba Father at any time.

And this last one is one of my favorites.  Christ was the only one worthy in heaven to take the book and open the seals.  This scripture reminds me of the song "A search was made in heaven".  It goes like this, A search was made in heaven for one who would go, to redeem God's children for he loved them so.  Then Jesus said, I will go down, he laid aside his robe and his crown, for none there in heaven was found, worthy to be God's dearest lamb.

Jesus Christ was the only one worthy to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.  God knew that nothing created could be 100 percent pure or perfect and the sacrifice had to be without spot or blemish so he had to do the job himself.  Jesus Christ laid aside his diety and became a man to redeem the world. He is worthy to be praised!  

Revelation 5:9
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Have you been redeemed by the blood of the lamb.  It's not to late.  He is standing with outstretched arms waiting and willing to bring you into the family of God.  Jesus loves you and nothing you have done will change that fact.  

He sees the blood

1 Peter 1:16-20

16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

When God looks upon man he sees one thing, either they are covered by the blood of his precious son or they are not. One day we will all stand before the judgement seat and we will be judged according to our works here on earth, but our works will never determine whether or not we make it to heaven. Our works will determine our heavenly rewards. One may have more jewels in their crown than the other, but one thing every single one will have in common is that they are covered by the blood. We have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ and his blood is the only thing that will never fade away. You may wonder how could God ever forgive me, you may believe your sins are so bad that nothing can save you, but you are wrong. Jesus died while we were yet in our sins. He loves you and all you have to do is seek him. The bible teaches us that if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that you shall be saved.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

When you make this confession, you will be covered by his blood and God will no longer see the sin, he will see the blood. Paul was chief among sinners, he persecuted the children of God, but once he was covered by the blood, he became a new man. You can too. I am so thankful this morning for the blood. Thankful that Christ will never leave me. It's my blessed assurance and it's what gives me perfect peace. If you have been searching for answers and nothing seems to work in your life, let me encourage you to take it all to Jesus. Talk to him, invite him into you life and find true peace and happiness. God bless you all this morning.

It's all up to you!

Isaiah 1:11-20

11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?

13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.

15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Isaiah was speaking to the children of Israel but his words hold true for any one of God's children.  I believe that God is seeking a people that will simply be obedient to him.  Rituals mean nothing to God.  Church meetings mean nothing to him.  None of these things matter to him if you are simply doing a routine.  What matters is your heart.  Is it pure with love for your fellowman?  This morning my reading is still leading me to learn more about the importance of a personal relationship with Christ which will instill this love in your heart.  Only by building a relationship with him can you learn to love your neighbor.  We must learn to be obedient to God's word or we will perish.  We have to quit judging those around us and begin to judge ourselves.  We must begin to look at our own lives and make sure that we are obedient, that we are showing love, that we are seeking a relationship with him and if each of us will do that, then as a whole, we will be one nation under God.  

Get Personal with God

Micah 6:7-8

7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

These two little verses say so much about God Almighty. I do not believe that God sits back and gets joy and entertainment from ceremonies, from rituals or even from modern day church services that just go through the motions of serving him. God is so much more than that. We can't even begin to truly understand who and what he is, but verse eight gives great enlightenment if we would only see. His joy comes from seeing his creation showing love to one another, having mercy on those that are not deserving of it. It comes from seeing us live humble lives knowing that no matter how much wealth we accumulate that we are still made from the dust of the earth and are no better than our neighbor. It comes from a one on one relationship with you and with me. Assembling ourselves together to worship him is wonderful, but I do not believe it is for God's benefit. I believe it is to build up our faith and strengthen us. I believe if we as Christians want to be pleasing to the Lord, then we must have a personal relationship with him. My son could come to all the family gatherings and things like that and it would be nice to see him doing that, but what truly pleases me is when he comes just to me, to sit and talk with me, just the two of us. I believe God as our creator is so much like a parent and that when we go to him one on one, that is what is pleasing to him and that is what will bring him joy. In fact, he even told us we would be rewarded for coming to him in secret.

Mathew 6:6
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

I want to encourage you today to begin to build that relationship with Christ that will truly make your life complete and be pleasing unto God.

What's wrong with living right?

Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

We sing a song at our church titled, "What's wrong with living right" and this scripture just brings it to my mind this morning. I see so much going on in the world today and I can't help but wonder how God must feel looking down upon his creation. People have turned so much to the world and even find fault in the ten commandments; something that only tells us to do good to one another. Let me give you something to think about this morning. God Almighty is the creator of all and when he made mankind, he gave them "FREE WILL" he loved his creation so much that he let them decide if they would love him in return. On the other hand, Satan is ruler of this world. The bible teaches me that he walketh to and fro seeking whom he may destroy.

Job 1:7
And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Job 2:3
And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

Satan always has been and always will be a destroyer. He knows there is no hope for himself so he seeks to destroy the thing that God loves trying to prove something to God, but let me assure you that God has given you power to resist Satan. If we will submit our lives to God and live by his laws, Satan has no power over us.

James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The laws of God are filled with love for his creation. They are good for all man kind.  Those that seek to destroy these laws from our land and twist them into something they are not are being led by Satan.  Satan will lead you to believe a lie and cause you to be damned.  I encourage you this morning to read God's laws.  Jesus Christ brought salvation to this world for all man, not just a select few.  He loves you and wants a relationship with you.  Satan will destroy you for his own purpose, but I encourage you this morning to resist the devil and watch him flee.


1: Thou shalt have no other God's before me. (God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob)
2: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. (No worship of idols or false God's)
3: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. (Do not use God's name in anger and vulgarity)
4: Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. (Set aside the sabbath for rest and worship)
5: Honour thy father and thy mother. (God even attached a promise to this one. He promised long life to those that honor their parents.)
6: Thou shalt not kill. (Intentional killing of another person)
7: Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Let every person have their own husband or wife)
8: Thou shalt no steal. (If you didn't work for the money that paid for it, then you have no right to it.)
9: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. (Do not gossip and lie on others.)
10: Thou shalt no covet. (Do not sit back and constantly wish what belongs to your neighbor could be yours. If you want something, then work for it.)

God's word is forever

Psalms 90:11-14

11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.
12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
13 Return, O Lord, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.
14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

King David prayed for God to repent of his anger towards his people and rather show his mercy. As I look around this morning I am led to do the same. I see what is happening in the world and pray that God show mercy upon my country and love toward my people. When we as a nation through the actions of our leaders do harm to Israel, we bring God's wrath upon our own country. I am comforted with the fact that God's word also teaches me that his mercy endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:13

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.


I am thankful to know that God is all knowing and that he knows what the future holds. He knows that as a nation that we will again be a blessing to his people. He sets up kings and he brings down nations according to his own will. Our leaders would have the American people to believe that our election was hacked. That someone was in control and that Donald Trump only won the election because of this. I say they are 100% correct. Someone was in control. Someone did interfere. Someone did see that Donald Trump won this election in 2016. That someone was God Almighty, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I believe that God saw a man that would bless his people. I believe that God is in control and his word will stand no matter what else happens in this world.

Daniel 2:21

And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

When God sent Abraham out from his land, he made him a promise. That promise still stands today.  The word of God is forever.  

Genesis 12:1-3

1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.