Watch Ye Therefore And Pray Always; For Your Redemption Draweth Nigh - Part 2023

"Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day." (Psalm 25:5)

"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple." (Psalm 27:4)

Too often, we rely on the wisdom and knowledge of this world. Sadly, this applies to not only those who are in the world, but to those also who profess to believe. Somehow, we have swallowed the myth that in order to succeed in this world, we must seek the accreditations and certifications that attaches letters to our name. What does our Lord God and Saviour say about this? The Lord Jesus said to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33) 

Not just some things, but rather, ALL of these things, and more! Unlike the powers that exist in the world, whose desire oft hinges on seeking a kingdom for themselves, the Lord is willing to lift us out of the miry clay and move us into the heavenly, changing our focus from the things of this world to the heavenly. 

Indeed, when we think of the very first commandment in both the old and confirmed again by Jesus in the new -- "Hear ye O Israel, the Lord thy God is One Lord" and we are to love the Lord thy God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength, we have to ask -- what is left? If we are giving 100% of ourselves to the Lord Jesus, and in so doing, becoming that city on a hill to the dark world around us, we learn quite quickly that there isn't anything else left to pursue. 

Why? Because like so many named within the scriptures, we have decided in our hearts and minds to seek His wisdom and knowledge. And, as a consequence, we who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith, are learning how to become a disciple of the Most High King. Each step being a new step in faith, wherein, as James points out, we begin working toward perfection. His purposes for our life becoming our purpose on this earth going forward. 

Perhaps, this is why apostle Paul instructs us, writing, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." (Colossians 3:17)

Because we who believe can be so easily be led away from the Word that sanctifies us. The Word that was with God and was God and was made flesh, dwelling among us so that we could behold His glory. Yes, He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11; John 1:1-18) 

Our hope and joy and peace that surpasses all human understanding. Yes, this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) This same Jesus whom ye have crucified -- having been taken up, after that through the Holy Ghost giving commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, has declared that He is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending! (Revelation 1:8) 

He -- our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ being the King of kings and Lord of lords, wherein His love and kindness toward man led to the shedding of His precious holy blood on the cross. Once and for all, He paid the price for our sins to be cleansed. And thus, He should be our all in all.

But to get there, we have to first say yes to Jesus as both Lord and Christ in our hearts. Not as another, or a lesser god, or one third of an omnipresent God, but rather that He -- as our Lord and God, as Thomas points out when he saw Jesus after He rose from the dead -- wants to wholly commune with us. This is why God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. (II Corinthians 5:19)

The mystery of godliness -- God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16; Titus 2:13)

So again, in example after example, we learn that those who admitted to a void existing in their heart sought after Jesus, so that they could worship Him in Spirit and in truth. The following scriptures should serve as a starting point for us as well to seek after His wise counsel and guidance in everything we do. His leading through the Holy Ghost, so that we could fulfill His purpose in us.

And when they had found Him [Jesus], they said unto Him, "All men seek for Thee." (Mark 1:37) And the multitude sat about Him, and they said unto Him, "Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren without seek for Thee." (Mark 8:11) "And when they found Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him." (Luke 2:45)

You see, when one seeks Jesus, He becomes their all in all. 

"Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord." (Acts 11:23)

And as Jesus said unto you, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened." (Luke 11:9-10)

"That the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (II Thessalonians 1:12)

Stand in the offering plate.