Seek the Face that Satisfies

"Seek the Lord and His strength;

Seek His face continually."

1 Chronicles 16:11

Americans, as well as many other people around the world, seem to continually seek after things that have no eternal value. I certainly fell into that category for the first third of my adult life. The desire for material things was more important to me than my Savior. I thought a bigger home, a nicer car, better clothes and more "stuff" would satisfy me. But they didn't. They never do. It's like physical hunger; no matter how much we eat today, tomorrow we'll be hungry again. I think that's why Jesus called Himself the "Bread of Life". He satisfies our soul -- our very life. We go after stuff because our souls are hungry. So it really comes down to making a choice. What is more important to us? God or things? The Lord said we can't serve two masters, we'll end up hating one and loving the other, or we'll be devoted to one and despise the other. We can't serve God and wealth. (Matthew 6:24) Now that doesn't mean we have to be poor to serve God. Lot's of wealthy people serve God, using their money to further His kingdom. No, it's when we love money more than God that our souls starve. But when we seek the Lord and look to Him for satisfaction (which He supplies by His mighty strength), when we allow Him to continually fill us with His love, then we know peace, and joy, and contentment.  "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:11-13)

True Riches

"Better is a little with the fear of the Lord

Than great treasure and turmoil with it."

Proverbs 15:16

A Christian may be poor financially, but he is rich spiritually. For the fear of the Lord brings spiritual wealth that will last eternally. His future is secure in Christ. "A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that's enough." 1 Timothy 6:6-9 The Message. When we preoccupy ourselves with getting more, we miss the joy of what God is giving us now.

Risky Business

"in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

Philippians 4:12b-13

When we are submitted to the Lord, He puts it in our hearts and minds to serve Him in a particular way. Our response to His call is only to move forward in obedience. Never try to do God's job. Just do what He has put in front of you and then trust Him to bring the results. The outcome may not be what you expected, but rest assured that in God's eyes it is exactly what He intended. Think of the freedom that comes from doing "all things through Him who strengthens [you]". When you fully understand that God calls, God performs, and God is responsible for the bottom line, then you are free to take risks you may never have considered in the past. And whether you then have little or have much, you can be content in knowing that you are in the center of God's will. 

Eternal Success

"But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.

For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either."

1 Timothy 6:6-7

From the time we are born until we die the message of the world is "be successful". But what is success? Is it measured by the number of initials we have behind our name? Or the square footage and location of our home? The size of our bank account, or the make of our automobile? We may spend our lives attaining wealth and material possessions, but as the saying goes, "I've never seen a hearse pulling a u-haul." There is nothing wrong with pursuing education or living in a nice home. It's not wrong to have money or belongings. But when we are never content with what we have, but are constantly striving to get more, then we grieve the Lord and miss the true measure of our worth. That is that we belong to Him. If we have a relationship with Jesus Christ, if we can say that He is our Savior and we are content with whatever we have, as long as we have Him, then we are truly successful.

Seven Principles for Living

"Trust in the LORD and do good;

         Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 

    Delight yourself in the LORD;

         And He will give you the desires of your heart. 

    Commit your way to the LORD,

         Trust also in Him, and He will do it."

Psalm 37:3-5

When I look at these verses I see seven principles for living a life that pleases God. First, put all our faith in the Lord and Him alone. He wants to be first in our lives. Second, show integrity; continue to do good to others, even if they do not do good to us. Righteousness trumps unrighteousness every time. Third, bloom where we are planted. Learning contentment whatever our circumstances is honoring to God. Fourth, joy is to be found in loving the Lord. If we look for things or other people to bring us happiness, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. Only Christ can satisfy the deepest longing of our hearts. Fifth, make sure our desires align with God's word. God wants to give us the desires of our hearts, IF they agree with what He says. We should look at scripture and ask ourselves, "Is what I'm asking of God in agreement with what He has said is good?" Sixth, commit to follow Him no matter if He gives us what we want or not. Seventh, trust that He is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. Faithfulness, integrity, contentment, joy, alignment, commitment, trust. Seven scriptural principles for a God-pleasing life.