Seeking God

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Seeking God:

God’s desire is that all people should seek after him and find him. Those who seek God with all their heart are rewarded, but those who fail to seek him do so to their eternal loss.

Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.

Hindrances to seeking God

Unrighteousness ()

It means: not upright or virtuous; wicked; sinful; evil.

Pride/arrogance- ()

English Standard Version Psalm 10

4 In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him;

all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”

In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him;

all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”

c. Trusting in materialism ()

d. Idolatry ()

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Idolatry- worship of idols or extreme adoration of materials over god.

e. Superficial Religion ()

This is where we know about God, but not truly know Him. To know Him is to allow the knowledge of God to penetrate our hearts.

God’s Heart is for people to seek Him (Jer. 29:11-14)

God wants people to seek Him, He wants a relationship. (Acts 17:27)

God promises to be found by those who seek Him. (v13)

Seeking God is a issue of the heart ()

Wholeheartedness in seeking God is required (v13)

God promises to be found by those who seek Him. (v13)

Seeking God and His Kingdom is a priority ()

English Standard Version Chapter 6

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

English Standard Version Chapter 6

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

The Rewards to seeking God

It leads to eternal life in Christ ()

Leads to forgiveness ()

English Standard Version Chapter 7

14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land

c. Leads to blessing ()

d. Leads to protection ()

e. Leads to understanding & wisdom ()

f. Leads to Renewed Strength ()

g. Leads to rejoicing ()

H. Leads to a new heart

English Standard Version Chapter 11

19 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh

Application

Our heart was always meant to mirror God’s own heart and seek His, but sin entered our life distorting our view and desires. When we are born again, God performs a heart transplant, as it were. He gives us a new heart. The power of the Holy Spirit changes our hearts from sin-focused to God-focused. May we seek God and His righteousness in all that we do.

May we trust in the Lord to heal our hearts. May we tear down the walls we have built to hide our sins, wounds, and insecurities. The Lord is not seeking to help you escape your issues, but He is looking for you to trust in Him to get you through your issues.

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