PURSUE HIM with all your heart, mind and soul:

I don’t know about you, but I know exactly where I desire to be in these days:

“In the center of the heart of the LORD, for HIS plan and purpose for my life"

 That is a warm fuzzy thought isn't it? CAN it HAPPEN??

Sometimes it is through our struggles and trials that we often don’t feel so much like we are in the CENTER of LORD'S HEART.

We often worry and are concerned because HE doesn’t seem to be making HIS presences known to us during those times.

BE ENCOURAGED and COMFORTED:

I find it encouraging and comforting that during these times of trials and troubles, that the LORD is more often, in  PURSUIT of ME, far more than I realize at the times of my sufferings and trails. 

Truthfully, it took me YEARS to realize this "TRUTH",  And I desire to OFFER you this same encouragement and comfort.

HE is TRULY seeking to get our attention, but we are often too frail and too weak to realize it at the time of our SUFFERINGS.

HOWEVER, if we HOLD ON TO THE TRUTH, of HIS TRUE PURPOSE and PLAN for us, we can begin to walk in confidence and in PRAISE of What HE is doing in our lives.

HE is JUST and FAITHFUL and INTIMATE LORD.

“it is often THROUGH OUR SUFFERING our TRUE BLESSING is found”

Through that INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP, we can understand that the LORD doesn't always JUDGE us according to our ‘failures”, seeking to "CONDEMN" us for what we do not know or our lack of knowledge or wisdom.

But rather is in PURSUIT Of us so that we can be CONFORMED and TRANSFORMED into HIS IMAGE.

HE is in PURSUIT Of REVEALING HIMSELF TO US MORE FULLY!!!

HE IS JUST and HE IS GOOD, Without GOD, good would not exist:

LUKE 12: But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes]. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

MAL 2: 5  My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him [for] the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name

We can have CONFIDENCE that HE is “NOT SEEKING” our “CONDEMNATION”, but is SEEKING a HUMBLE and SUBMITTED people that will WILLINGLY surrender themselves to be CONFORMED and TRANSFORMED into the IMAGE OF JESUS CHRIST, that we can be PARTAKER’S of HIS PROMISES and BLESSINGS.

Our journey begins and ENDS with ONE PURPOSE, a PURE BRIDE, to be CONFORMED into THE IMAGE OF JESUS CHRIST as a BODY OF KINGDOM PEOPLE.

And our trials and tribulations are often more about HIS EFFORTS to produce that FRUIT in our lives to bring GLORY and HONOR TO HIS NAME and to entrust unto us the PROMISES OF JESUS CHRIST.

PHIL 1: 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:

 HE is seeking and desiring ways to DEVELOP and ENCOURAGE our faith, and encourage our growth, that we CAN live as participates in the PROMISES of JESUS CHRIST.

ARE you beginning to have an ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT YET??


DO YOU SEE THE "LOVE OF CHRIST being revealed in your SUFFERING?


BE a GOD CHASER IN YOUR LIFE!!!

OUR SUFFERING, TRIALS and TRIBULATIONS are NOT for CONDEMNATION but to bring about HIS  PRAISE, HONOR and GLORY...

So that WE WILL PURSUE HIM!!!! 

OUR suffering reminds us of our HUMANITY, our conformity and transformation reminds us that HE IS LORD and SAVIOR and WORTHY TO BE PRAISED and HONORED!!

I am WEAK but HE is STRONG.
I am LIMITED, but HE IS LIMITLESS...

If we desire TRUE VICTORY and to be  OVERCOMERS, we must submit in attitude and in lifestyle. 

DWELLING in the LIGHT, that we may be HEALED, rather than Dwelling in the darkness that will remain in our suffering.

LET us HUMBLE OURSELVES before HIM,  that we can be  CONFORMITY and TRANSFORMED into the IMAGE OF  JESUS CHRIST!!! That we can be PARTAKERS of HIS PROMISES and have ABUNDANT LIVES.

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LET’S SEEK to BREAK this SCRIPTURE down this MORNING:

CONSIDER the MATTERS before HIM!!

Deut 6: 24

And the LORD commanded us:

1. to do all these statutes,

2. to fear the LORD our God,

3. for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as [it is] at this day.

PSALMS 111: 10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments]: his praise endureth for ever.

DO FEAR the LORD, for HE IS HOLY/SET APART? 

WHY IS JESUS CHRIST SO SPECIAL and LIKE NO OTHER GOD?

Because HE is our MEDIATOR, and HE IS INTIMATELY working  with each of us for our GROWTH and CONFORMITY..

HE is HOLY and RIGHTEOUS, and  HE is also “JUST” and, UNIQUE because HE is an INTIMATE LORD.

Rather than SEEKING ways to CONDEMN US, He is searching and seeking for ways to CONFORM and TRANSFORM US.

During our trials and tribulations we need to remember, He is more likely seeking ways to make an “ADJUSTMENT” in our life and lifestyle (our character and behaviorism through the STAFF, if we would allow,  than seeking to PUNISH us with a ROD of correction.

HE is so INTIMATELY connected to HIS BODY as the HEAD, these adjustments through suffering are made in our lives, are often meant to produce and bring ABUNDANT LIFE into our lives, according to our faith, our attitude, and our desire to be an obedient BODY PARTS.

Thus the MORE we SUBMIT the MORE we are BLESSED through the conformity and transformation into JESUS CHRIST as participates of HIS KINGDOM and HIS PROMISES.

HERE are a few statements that you might keep NEAR your heart during times of TRIALS and TRIBULATIONS:

(this is not to say that ALL suffering is about "DISOBEDIENCE". HOWEVER, our lives are being transformed one way or another through SUFFERING.. rather it be an ATTITUDE of PEACE during the suffering or an ADJUSTMENT in our lives: character or lifestyle)

PSALMS 111: 10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments]: his praise endureth for ever

TO do all these statues, and to fear the LORD our GOD!!!

1. GOD IS A JEALOUS GOD.  (You would do WELL to receive this, because it will bring REVERENCE towards GOD and HIS WORD into your heart, mind and soul)

GOD IS A “JEALOUS” GOD. 


To TRULY LOVE JESUS with all your heart, mind and soul: one must have a REVELATIONS of WHO HE IS, and acknowledge HIS CHARACTER AND HIS IMAGE.

HE is partial and particular towards HIS own CHARACTER and BEHAVIORISM. IT will be TRUE to HIS NAME and HIS CHARACTER....for HE IS HOLY!!!!

He is GOD the CREATOR of ALL things, what do we really expect? Do we expect HE is going to CONFORM HIMSELF TO US?

HE is SEEKING a people that are WILLINGLY SUBMITTING themselves to be conformed and transform into the IMAGE of HIS SON, that they too can HOLY/SET APART. 

Thus we have the COMMANDMENT:

EX 25: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;

(well you can afford to arrogant if you are GOD, but the real purpose behind this is, that we be not CONFORMED or INFLUENCED by the image or character of another god.

We must hold TRUE and FAITHFUL  to the ONE TRUE GOD, who is JEALOUS of HIS OWN CHARACTER and MANNEREISMS)

SO HOW DO WE GET THERE??? HOW do we get into the CENTER OF GOD’S HEART?

BY PURSUING HIM WITH OUR MIND, BODY, and SOUL, while HE is in pursuit of US!!!

A..  THROUGH HIS WORD and THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH.

MOST of you know that some of my FAVORITE quotes are:

***What is OF GOD is empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT.

***Do what is RIGHT before the LORD and HE will bless it.

I do say that often, not only on paper but I truly make this a practice in my own life.

But I think that I need to Explain what I mean when I say

“DO WHAT IS RIGHT BEFORE THE LORD and HE will bless it”

First allow me to say what I DO NOT MEAN by this quote:

I am not referring to a PHYSICAL BLESSING, as in PROSPERITY.

PROSPERITY is having GOD’S PRESENCE in our LIVES, no matter what the circumstances or situation in our lives maybe. (IN sickness or in health)

DOING what is RIGHT BEFORE THE LORD, means SUBMITTING to HIS WORD and HOLY SPIRIT, that we can be TRANSFORMED and CONFORMED into IMAGE of JESUS CHRIST, and the promises of JESUS CHRIST.

For that is the OVER ALL GOAL. HE is “JEALOUS” of HIS OWN CHARACTER and MANNERISMS.

   

When a “DIFFICULT” situation occurs in my life, times where I am not certain of the path I should be taking. MY first thought is:

What does the WORD OF GOD say concerning these matters?

I  SEEK to ALLOW the HOLY SPIRIT to DO HIS WORK in my heart and mind before I make forward movements in my life.

The SWORD is ‘twoedged” both WORD and SPIRIT, and is a “DISCERNER of thoughts and intents of the heart"

Heb 4: 12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

“DO as the LORD would have me do, and I shall be blessed for it” There is NO DOUBT in my mind, heart or soul. that the LORD'S INTENT on my life is to conform me into a worthy vessel of HIS SERVICE.

I can ALWAYS count on the “WORD OF GOD, and the HOLY SPIRIT” to work in HARMONY with the FATHER, to bring about the MIND OF CHRIST/conformity/transformation into my life.

B.  I can always COUNT on the HOLY SPIRIT to EMPOWER/bring to LIFE what is “OF” GOD.

THE WORD OF GOD and the HOLY SPIRIT work in HARMONY with the FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST:

THEY are in HARMONY for ONE PURPOSE, to bring CORRECTION and ADJUSTMENTS into our life, leading us towards the path of RIGHTEOUSNESS, towards the HIGHER CALLING of GOD.   “A PURE BRIDE”

It isn’t always easy but if WE LOVE GOD, as we say we do, WE must PREPARE our HEARTS to SUBMIT, to be EMPOWERED to CHANGE.

Our “FLESHLY MIND” seeks to “ REBEL” against what is SPIRITUALLY MINDED.

OUR fleshly mind can not always be trusted, it can DECEIVE us. It is very persuasive to its needs and desires and we can not TRUST our flesh to do the WILL of GOD, unless the ground has been prepared to SURRENDER to the SPIRIT OF GOD.  ONCE surrender comes, transformation comes, and a REVERENCE towards GOD and HIS WORD begins to CONFORM our lives into the “MIND OF CHRIST” concerning the matters of life we are confronted with.

The WORD of GOD is PURE and HOLY, offering instruction and sanctification into the RIGHTEOUSNESS PATH of GOD’S ways, precepts and principles.

The HOLY SPIRIT: convicts, mortifies the flesh, and transforms our lives into LIFESTYLES and the CHARACTER of JESUS CHRIST.

 SO we can be a HOLY/SET APART, KINGDOM PEOPLE.

You can TRULY count on the HOLY SPIRIT to EMPOWER the WORD of GOD, in your LIFE, character and lifestyle, even when that path is difficult.

ROMANS 8: 13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

The overall END of our suffering is the MORTIFICATION/death to the flesh, and LIFE in the SPIRIT, for HIS GLORY and for our CONFORMITY and TRANSFORMATION into the IMAGE OF JESUS CHRIST.

A good saying  “DON’T LEAVE home without THEM”

THE WORD and the HOLY SPIRIT… AMEN and AMEN!!!

CONCLUSION:

MAY we ALLOW the LORD to have HIS WAY with us!!

MAY the LORD break up the fallow ground of our  HEARTS, as it is tilled and plowed, that the  SEED/WORD of GOD is planted to bring about the FRUIT of our salvation..

MAY GOD give us INCREASE!!!!

THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT DEAD it was RESURRECTED TO LIFE and is a LIFE BEARER!!!!

REV 19: 13 And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

LUKE 8: 11 the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

LUKE 8: 21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

LUKE 11: 28  But he said, Yea rather, blessed [are] they that hear the word ofGod, and keep it.

Romans10: 17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

EP 6: 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

1 Tim 4: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

1 Peter 1: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, bythe word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

HSA 10: 12  Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for [it is] time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

I SEE LOVE