Jeremiah 29:13 (NKJV) 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
With any relationship, we get out what we put in.
Our relationship with God is no different. It will grow on the same scale as the effort we put into it.
If we truly desire to know Him and serve Him wholeheartedly, we will intentionally make the time needed to grow and mature as a believer.
This isn’t something that we always think of or understand when we first become a child of God.
In fact, it is something that is not taught nearly enough.
While the forgiveness of our sins is monumental, if we do not feed our spirit with the word of God, it will be in danger of withering and dying.
Jesus taught about this when He shared the parable of the sower and the seeds.
Matthew 13:20-21 (NLT) 20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.
This is why we need to be sure to put forth the required effort to keep ourselves fed and growing.
It is something that no one can do for us. Yes, we can have people help us, lead us and guide us, especially in the beginning of our new walk with God. But in the end, we are the ones who are responsible for whether we grow or not.
Think of it like a newborn baby. When the baby is small, it requires constant help and nurturing. But as it grows older and older it must learn to take what it has been taught and use that knowledge to grow and mature on its own.
This is why it is paramount for each of us to do whatever is necessary to feed ourselves with the word of God.
God tells us that as we make the effort to seek Him, we will find Him if we seek Him with all our heart.
The key lies in the phrase, “with all your heart”, since God spells it out for us right there.
Suffice it to say that effort on our part is required. And that effort is something that we must be willing to put forth.
It may not always be easy or comfortable, but we need to keep in mind the incredible sacrifice that Christ made for us on the cross. This will usually put things into perspective and help motivate us to do what it takes to mature and grow as a believer.
And as we do this, let us liken ourselves to a runner in a race, disciplining ourselves, shaking off all that tries to hold us back, and doing all that is necessary to claim the prize at the finish line.
For the prize we race toward is eternal.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Amen
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443
401-439-3780
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