What Do You Seek ?
"My God; I shall seek You earnestly; my soul thirsts for You..Your loving kindness is better than life." Psalm 63:1,3
What will you seek in the new year? There was a time in my life that my every thought was to gain more wealth, a strong portfolio, new car and more possessions. Maybe, you've been there...maybe you are there now. If so I can offer a few words of advise. Seek not the possessions of the world for they are an illusion. They give you false feeling of worth and importance.
If you are like me you have a profit and loss statement. Now a P&L does not have to be a detailed business document. It can be something as simple as your check book. You start at the beginning of the year with profit (income) and you have losses (debt) and at the end of the year you either fall into the plus or minus column. When we look closely at our debt we find out what is important to us.
If you are like me you have a profit and loss statement. Now a P&L does not have to be a detailed business document. It can be something as simple as your check book. You start at the beginning of the year with profit (income) and you have losses (debt) and at the end of the year you either fall into the plus or minus column. When we look closely at our debt we find out what is important to us.
Dependence On Religion Is A LOSS
We cannot depend on religion to bring profit. J.D Greear in his book "Gospel Revolution" suggest that "religion brings about an external change in our lives. It layers on more things for us to do; read our Bible more, go to church more, increase our tithe." [1] Although all these things are important they are not what brings in the windfall of profits in life. Religion just gives us more to do and in time we grow weary trying to gain profit.
Dependence On What We Have Done Is A Loss
All of us have a a "Glory" moment. We have stood in the limelight and been praised for a job well done. For me it was success at work, manager of the year, community service and certifications. Oh, I had a great "I love me wall". I valued myself highly to the point of arrogance. Those who know me well will testify to the truth of those words. Billy Graham says it best, "Self-centered indulgence, pride and a lack of shame over sin are now emblems of the American lifestyle." [2] The higher the pedestal that we put ourselves own the longer the fall.
Dependence On Anything Other Than Christ Is A Loss
We all have our idols. I am not talking about bronze gods that we bow down before and sacrifices to. Answer this question, "What in your life can you NOT live without?" Common answers might be family, employment, financial security or that vintage 1957 Chevy. Anything that you cannot live without other than your relationship with God is idolatry.
Dependence On Christ Is Our Only Profit
In Matthew 22:37, Jesus taught us of the only profit " 37 He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." When we place anything between us and Christ we will experience loss. Loss of blessings, the ability to truly love others, peace, and comfort. The list is endless. "Within the heart of every man and woman there is a place that only God can fill. We may try to satifsy our longings with different thing; but until we come to a point of full surrender to Him we will remain vulnerable to fearful thoughts, feelings of discontentment, and selfish desires, as well as pride and lust." [3] (Charles Stanley) Seek God over everything and you shall be blessed.
Bibliography
[1] Greear, J. (2011). Gospel Revolution. Nashville: LifeWay.
[2] Billy Graham. (n.d.). Brainy Quote.com.
Retrieved December 23, 2014, from Brainy Quote.com Web site:
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/billygraha446511.html
[3] Stanley, D. (2015). Every day in his presence. Place of publication not identified: Thomas Nelson Pub.
[3] Stanley, D. (2015). Every day in his presence. Place of publication not identified: Thomas Nelson Pub.
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