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Do you desire God the way God wants us to desire Him? What does it feel like? What does it look like to truly yearn after God?
We can learn how it feels to desire God by comparing it to the way a person might become desperate for fresh air or some other necessary factor we need to sustain our lives. The Psalms liken this intense longing for God to a thirsty deer panting for the relief and refreshment of water.
Psalm 42: 1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
In every day life, a person truly desiring God will look focused and determined. That person will watch closely for God. He will listen carefully to what He says and will eagerly be anticipating doing what God directs.
That person will search for God diligently in the study of Holy Scripture and will seek God whole-heartedly in frequent prayer. That person will want God to be pleased. And, that person will want God to know He loves God. Therefore, he will do what God says, not because it is a burden, but because it is a joy.
John 14:15, If you love Me, keep, My commandments.
Knowing about God versus knowing God!
Millions of people have sought knowledge about God, but there have been only a relatively small number who have actually sought for God and known Him – that is, who have sought to really know the true God in a close, intimate relationship.
In general, knowledge puffs up. The Bible says so in 1 Corinthians 8:1, Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
Even knowledge about God can puff up. In too many instances, a man’s knowledge about God has turned to self-righteousness. And, man’s arrogance has pushed him away from God.
The relationship God seeks to have with us is not based principally on how much knowledge we have about Him, but on how much we KNOW Him, love Him, and desire to be with Him. It is about wanting to be close to Him.
Knowledge about God must never substitute for our awe and respect for God. Desiring knowledge about God must never eclipse a yearning, even a burning desire to be with Him – to know Him and to be known of Him.
James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
If we desire to be near God, we can know He desires to be near us. It is this desire for God’s presence that motivates us to move in His direction. And, with the navigation God provides through His Holy Spirit, God can be found. Jesus Christ has already cleared the path.
Where is God? Is God truly in your life?
Have you ever gone to Church and yet felt like you “missed” God? That He somehow passed you by? Have any of us played Church and “heard” about God so long we have lost sight of God? It IS an IMPORTANT question to ponder.
Man can study and learn where God has been historically. What we need is a revelation of where God is now! Especially, where God is in OUR LIVES!.
Will God be found of those who do not seek Him or do not passionately desire Him?
There are untold treasures, pleasures, benefits, and rewards in God’s presence. And, to have them, one must seek God’s face – not the “goodies.” God wants to be loved. He wants to be worshipped in spirit and truth.
And, God can easily detect humans just wanting the rewards, without wanting His presence.
So, what is the way to closeness with God? What are the steps to seeking and finding Him?
Start by simply desiring God. Sometimes, we must begin by desiring to desire God. When there is a doubt about feelings or motives, just ask God to give you this right desire for Him.
Then, determine to give God time. Stop all of the excuses. Place your focus on God instead of this world. Invest your time reading, studying, and praying about this relationship you desire.
Memorize and meditate on Galatians 2:20. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Christ is always in the Father’s presence. When Christ is in you, you can be there, too. The amount of time you invest in God is a good indication of how much you truly desire to be with Him.
You can experience living faith by awaking each morning to beautiful thoughts of God. Think about His blessings, and thank Him! Live throughout the day aware of God. Look for Him in all you do. Expect God in all of your life, not just when you attend Church.
Access to God has been provided to you through Jesus Christ. God’s magnificent plan for you included every provision you will need to find Him and please Him. It’s all available: the faith of Jesus Christ and the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is our help, our hope, our righteousness. Seek God and you WILL find Him.
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
Are you among those who are beginning to really hunger for God? Millions have heard of God, but few have met the Father and the Son.
Here at the Church of the Sovereign God, we are willing to help you. We can tell you ABOUT God, And, we can pray with you and for you. And, the crucial step will be up to you. While we are here to help, support, and encourage you, it will still be up to you to seek God’s face for yourself.
We invite you to begin the process!
If you would like encouragement and further details on knowing and serving the God Who made you and loves you, please contact us.