Everyone Who Seeks Finds

16 decembrie 2009 la 19:02

By Francis Frangipane

It is not hard to recognize one who has spent extended time at a newsstand: his conversation overflows with the drama of current affairs. And, it is not hard to discern a person who has come from a sporting event, as their face reveals the outcome of the game. Likewise, people can tell when an individual has spent extended time seeking God. An imperturbable calm guards their heart, and their countenance is radiant with light, as with the morning dew of Heaven.
Beloved, to seek and find God is everything.

The Eternal Imprint
It is to our shame that, in our era, church services do not focus more on actually seeking God. Yes, we do honor God and thank Him for what He has done. We hear a sermon and, perhaps, enjoy a time of fellowship with others. Yet only rarely do we depart a congregational meeting with the fire of eternity reflecting off our faces. Instead, we fill up with information about God without actually drawing near to Him. Most of us are still largely unaware of God's presence.

While we rightly need church programs, fellowship, and times for ministry training, we must not automatically assume that religious indoctrination is the same thing as actually seeking God. And while I am often blessed listening to contemporary Christian music, even godly entertainment is no substitute for my own worship encounter with God.

Therefore, let us ask ourselves: Is there a place and a time set apart in our spiritual lives where we can give ourselves to seeking God? What if the Spirit of God actually desired to manifest Himself during our worship service? Would the Lord have to wait until we finished our scheduled program? I respect and recognize the need for order; we need the scheduled times for announcements and the defined purposes that currently occupy Sunday mornings, but have we made room for God Himself?

"He Knew Not That His Face Shone"
When we first determine to draw near to God, it may seem we have little to show for our efforts. Yet, be assured: even the thought of seeking God is a step toward our transformation. Still, we often do not notice the first signs of our spiritual renewal, for as we grow increasingly more aware of God, we simultaneously grow increasingly less aware of ourselves. Though we may not see that we are changing, others certainly will.

Consider the experience of Moses. The Lord's servant had ascended Mount Sinai, and there stood before the living God. The eyes of Moses were actually filled with God's sun-like glory; his ears actually heard the audible sound of the Lord's voice. Yet, when Moses returned to the people, the Bible says he "did not know that the skin of his face shone" (Exod. 34:29). When the Israelites saw the fire of God's glory on the face of Moses, "they were afraid to come near him" (v. 30). They saw he had been with God.

The church needs more people who have, like Moses, climbed closer to the Almighty, people who have stood in the sacred fire of God's presence. Instead, we exhaust ourselves arguing over peripheral doctrines or styles of music in our song services.

Perhaps there are benefits to constantly debating the nuances of our doctrines, but are we not more truly thirsting for the reality of God?

Our goal is to, day by day, draw nearer to God. He has commanded that we come boldly to His throne of grace. To receive the help we need, we must arrive at His throne. Remember also that our confidence comes from Christ Himself. He promised,

"Everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened" (Matt. 7:8).

We are seeking a lifetime of increasing devotion, though it may certainly begin in a season of drawing near. In spite of natural and spiritual obstacles, as we persevere, the Lord assures us, "How much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!"
(Matt. 7:11).

If we do not cease seeking and knocking, we will discover unfolding degrees of intimacy with God. Even now, He's drawing near. The Lord promises, "Everyone who … seeks finds" (Matt. 7:8).
Master, to possess more of You is the heart-focus of my existence. Draw near, blessed Redeemer, fulfill Your desire for me by fulfilling my desire for You.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The preceding abridged message is taken from pastor Frangipane's newest book And I Will Be Found By You. This significant work will be a powerful companion for those hoping to step into the new year focused upon God.
More information

If you are financially unable to purchase a book from Pastor Frangipane, he would love to give you your choice of any one of his books for free, or for whatever you can afford. (Visit our FAQ page for more information.) Sorry, U.S. addresses only at this time.

The Christ Pattern

9 decembrie 2009 la 16:39

By Francis Frangipane

The seeking heart habitually looks to God. Was not this the inner working of Christ's heart? Yes, consider the perfections of Christ. Though He was the embodiment of God in Heaven, He laid aside His privileges of equality with God. Instead, He "emptied Himself" taking the appearance of a man, and as such patterned for us the way of a perfect man with God (Phil. 2:6-8). What we see in Christ is, in truth, not merely the perfection of one’s talent or leadership abilities; in Christ we see the perfection of a surrendered heart. His life is the maturation of spiritual dependency. Christ’s incomparable righteousness, His stunning virtue and unparalleled strength of character all had to be appropriated from God the Father.

Christ shows us how God, manifested as a Son, submits to God, ruling as the Father. In so doing, Jesus also reveals how man, made in the image of God, draws spiritual strength and substance in seeking God as his life source.

It staggers me that the Son of God said of Himself, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone" (Mark 10:18). Of course Jesus was good! He was perfect. He who gazed upon Christ, feasted upon God. Yet, even here, Jesus models the pattern we must follow if we would find true spiritual fulfillment.

Christian, let us grasp this one great truth: attaining righteousness is the result of seeking God. Jesus had no plan of action other than to mirror the things He saw His Father doing. Everything we see Jesus accomplish on earth was, in fact, the result of His times of seeking God. We see the boldness of Christ and assume He moved in great faith and authority - and He most certainly did. Jesus was bold, but He was never self-willed. His faith came from seeing and hearing the Father. Whether by intuition or by physical sight or by hearing God's voice, Jesus had an inner "radar" that kept Him continually tracking and following the Father's heart.

Jesus did nothing on His own initiative (John 5:30; 8:28). The pattern He set for us is not one of a man wielding unlimited power, but a man pure in heart, seeking God as both a Son and servant. In so doing, He perfectly demonstrates that, when we ask for power or virtue from God, we are, in fact, asking to be nearer still to God the Father. The pure in heart see God; the work of power is, in truth, an act of obedience to what God revealed beforehand.

Lord, walking close to You is my plan. Hearing Your voice is my strategy. Knowing Your heart is my confidence. Master, I pray the prayer patterned by Your Son: not my will but Thine be done!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This message was adapted from a chapter in Pastor Frangipane's newest book, And I Will Be Found By You. This new book can be ordered using coupon code NOW to receive $4.50 off your total order through December 16. More information

If you are financially unable to purchase a book from Pastor Frangipane, he would love to give you your choice of any one of his books for free, or for whatever you can afford. (Visit our FAQ page for more information.) Sorry, U.S. addresses only at this time.

www.frangipane.org

I Will Be Found By You

3 decembrie 2009 la 12:59

IN STOCK AND READY FOR SHIPPING

Available with free shipping and handling
Now through December 16, order Francis' new book using coupon
code NOW and receive $4.50 off the total order.

From the introduction to the book . . .

I can honestly say I feel I’ve been writing this book my entire adult life. This was not the case with any of my previously published themes. The books on spiritual warfare or church unity, or even the vision of attaining Christ’s likeness, all came further down the path. However, the reality of seeking God has been different. The fabric of this truth has been woven into my spiritual life since I first came to Christ in 1969.

Perhaps, it is because my inherent skills are generally average that I am frequently compelled to seek God’s help. In this regard, my insufficiencies serve me well. But, beyond my frequent need of divine intervention, I have also hungered to truly know the Lord. I believe that the real goal of Christianity is not to create a religion about God, but that we would actually know Him, experiencing firsthand the wonders and power of His incomparable life.

Thus, I have discovered that each time I seek the Lord, the deliberate movement of my heart toward Him leads me into far more than a simple answer to my need. In seeking God, I actually find Him. I reconnect with the living One - my rescuer, my redeemer, and the restorer of my soul. I have an answer, but I also have an ally whose wisdom is all-encompassing and whose incalculable power can transform all things with just the look of His gaze.

I am aware of many in the church who are pining away spiritually. It is obvious to me: the great need of Christians is for more of God. Even as the psalmist wrote,

"God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there is anyone who understands, who seeks after God" (Ps. 53:2).

Seeking God - possessing a heart after God - this is what God is looking for. It is the key that unlocks everything.

---Francis Frangipane

More Information at www.arrowbookstore.com

Vezi mai multe notițe

Notiţele lui Ministries of Francis Frangipane

Everyone Who Seeks Finds16 decembrie 2009

The Christ Pattern9 decembrie 2009

I Will Be Found By You3 decembrie 2009

Happy Thanksgiving26 noiembrie 2009

The Nearness of Our God ~ By: Francis Frangipane25 noiembrie 2009

One Message21 noiembrie 2009

~ New Book ~20 noiembrie 2009

Emergency Prayer for El Salvador10 noiembrie 2009

When the Morning Star Rises in Our Hearts6 noiembrie 2009

Come and See27 octombrie 2009

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