March 12, 2026

Follow Me

April 3, 2015 by

encouragementbloggraphicromans15

Jesus’ first words to Simon Peter were “Come, follow Me” (Matthew 4:18-19).  Jesus’  last words to Simon Peter were “Follow Me” (John 21:22).  Every step of the way between these two challenges, Peter never failed to follow…though he often stumbled.  When Jesus came into Peter’s life, this everyday fisherman with nothing special about him, grew into  a new person with new goals and new priorities.  He was far from perfect but he was always himself.

What did Jesus see in Peter?  Only Jesus knew.  He even gave him a new name—Peter the rock.

Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’) and upon this rock,
I will build My church, and all the powers of hell  will not conquer it.
Matthew 16:18 NLT

He didn’t always live up to that name, and he was quite impulsive sometimes. But Jesus wasn’t looking for perfect…He was looking for real. And Peter was a real follower of Jesus.

Peter was known for a lot of things but the one we think of at this time of year was his part in the Crucifixion.  First he defends Jesus when they come to get Him to arrest Him.  He cuts off the ear of one of the officers with his sword. Then Jesus tells Peter that he will deny Him three times before the rooster crows.  Of course Peter says there is no way he would do that. (But he does.)

Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard.  A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.”  But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.  Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”  Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said.  A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.”  Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.  Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.

Matthew 26:69-75 NLT

Can you imagine how Peter felt after he realized that he not only had denied knowing His leader, the Messiah, but he turned away from knowing his friend.  Jesus had loved him and taught him and believed in him before he ever believed in himself.  But Jesus never turned away from Peter.  Peter knew he had failed.  But Jesus knew, when He asked Peter to follow Him, that this would happen.  But it didn’t stop Him from asking.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

He is asking you today, too.  He is saying, “Will you follow Me?”  He knows you will make mistakes and you may even live a little like Peter.  You may not tell all you come in contact with that Jesus is your Lord, but He always will love you and He will always forgive you and He is your friend.  So if today you want to answer the call, I ask that you pray this simple prayer with me.

Dear God, I know that I am a sinner.  My life isn’t what I want it to be and something is missing.  I need a Savior.  I believe that Jesus is Your Son, and He came to die for me.  I ask that You come into my life and be my Lord.  Forgive my sins.  I don’t know all that I need to know about You but I want to know.  Please walk closely with me.  Thank You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Filed Under: encouragement Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

One Path

April 3, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Recorded in the Gospel of John, our Lord made seven statements referring to Himself as I AM…

I AM The Light of the World
I AM The Bread of Life
I AM The Door
I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The True Vine
I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life
I AM The Resurrection and The Life

Each week during this season of Lent, here on the Seeking Him blog, we will be focusing our devotionals on a different aspect of Jesus’ revelation of Himself as I AM.  The aim of Lent should be to prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice—His trial and torture, the Crucifixion and His death…and above all, the celebration of His Resurrection from the dead.  We pray that this will be a great encouragement to each of you who read them.  And that all of us will consider the significance of Jesus’ words and, through them, be helped as we remember and are thankful for all Jesus went through during the last few weeks of His life on this earth.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Jesus said to him, I AM the Way and the Truth and the Life;
no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.
John 14:6 AMP

In this verse, Jesus makes a very bold statement—one that forces us to make a decision.  It is an all-or-nothing deal.  There is simply no middle ground. Either Jesus is the only Way to the Father or Jesus is not telling the truth.  (That was so hard for me to type!)

Consider the following verses:

Jesus said to her, “I AM the Resurrection and the Life.
The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live.
Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever.
Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26 HCSB

“Do you believe this?”  That is the crux of the matter.  Those four words sum it up in a nutshell.   What do you believe?

I believe that God revealed Himself in Jesus.  I believe that Jesus is the perfect human revelation of God.  I believe that without Christ on the Cross, we would only be able to come before God as our Judge and not as our Father.  I had never considered that Jesus wasn’t telling the truth.  As I pondered that question, I went looking for Scripture that supports what I believe.  Here is what I found:

For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead)
continues to dwell in bodily form
[giving complete expression of the divine nature].
Colossians 2:9 AMP

Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest
Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him].
Hebrews 4:14 AMP

He went once for all into the [Holy of] Holies [of heaven],
not by virtue of the blood of goats and calves
[by which to make reconciliation between God and man],
but His own blood, having found and secured a complete redemption
(an everlasting release for us).
Hebrews 9:12 AMP

But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins,
good for all time.
Then He sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
Hebrews 10:12 NLT

God in bodily form.  Doesn’t that just blow your mind?  Jesus is our High Priest, a willing sacrifice as an atonement for all our sins.  Jesus secured eternal redemption for us.  All we need to do is believe that He is who He says He is—the only Way to the Cross, the Truth of the Word in an earthly body and the Giver of eternal Life.

As John 8:32 (AMP) states:

And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

We know the Truth when we have a relationship with Jesus and believe solely in Him…that is what sets us free.  Truly free.  That’s what I want—to be free indeed!

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Father, thank You for sending a perfect representation of You in bodily form.  Thank You for providing Your Only Son as the only Way for us to have eternal Life.  I truly desire to be free.  Only Jesus can set me free.  I firmly believe He is The Way, The Truth and The Life and the only Way I can call You ‘Abba’ is through Him.  In His Holy name I pray, Amen – It is so!

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Your Compass

April 2, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

 

Recorded in the Gospel of John, our Lord made seven statements referring to Himself as I AM…

I AM The Light of the World
I AM The Bread of Life
I AM The Door
I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The True Vine
I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life
I AM The Resurrection and The Life

Each week during this season of Lent, here on the Seeking Him blog, we will be focusing our devotionals on a different aspect of Jesus’ revelation of Himself as I AM.  The aim of Lent should be to prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice—His trial and torture, the Crucifixion and His death…and above all, the celebration of His Resurrection from the dead.  We pray that this will be a great encouragement to each of you who read them.  And that all of us will consider the significance of Jesus’ words and, through them, be helped as we remember and are thankful for all Jesus went through during the last few weeks of His life on this earth.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

 Jesus said to him,
I AM the Way and the Truth and the Life;
no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.
John 14:6

What’s true…or not…is not for us to decide.  Truth is truth.  The Lord helps make this simple by being that Truth.  If ever we wonder what we should do, we have a Compass to point us in the right direction.  Jesus said that He is “…The Way, The Truth, and The Life.”  So, when we come across new teachings we need to be diligent in comparing this teaching to the Word of God that we know.

Anyone can look at the Bible and interpret it the way they want; but that doesn’t mean that you should blindly follow every interpretation of the Bible.  Go to it and read for yourself.  What does God say to you about what you are reading, and what does He say to you about the teaching you just heard?

There are concepts and things in the Bible that we KNOW for a fact.  We would know it immediately if we were to hear a teaching that contradicted what we KNOW to be true from our time spent in the Word.  I myself have encountered instances where someone was preaching and what they said directly went against what I KNOW to be true from the Bible.  I have also heard teaching that I was uncertain about. But everything in my spirit screamed, “This is not correct…run! Run quickly!”

Pastors are awesome.  They help teach us and guide us and share knowledge about the Word of God.  However, your Pastor cannot KNOW the Word of God for you.  You must KNOW it for yourself, so that you can live it and apply it and discern what you are being taught.

The Bible says that we should, “…not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world” (1 John 4:1).

There is only one Truth and one Way—the Way of our Lord Jesus Christ.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Lord, help us to have discerning minds.  Let us not be critical or cynical, but discerning.  We desire to be good stewards of Your Word and teaching.  We do not desire to lead anyone astray.  Help us to clearly interpret Your Word and spread nothing but Your Truth to one another that we may grow to be a truth-loving and -following people of God.  Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

There Is A Beautiful Terrible Cross

April 2, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

There is a beautiful terrible Cross
Where though You committed no sin
Savior, You suffered the most wicked fate
On the cruelest creation of men

Yet on that beautiful terrible Cross
You did what only You could
Turning that dark-inspired evil of hell
Into our soul’s greatest good

We see the love that You showed us
We see the life that You lost
We bow in wonder and praise You
For the beautiful, terrible Cross

There on that beautiful, terrible Cross
Though darkness was strong on that hill
You remained sovereign, Lord, still in control
As Your perfect plan was fulfilled

Oh, we gained the riches of Heaven
Jesus, You paid the horrible cost
We stand forgiven and praise You
For the beautiful terrible Cross

In the Cross, in the Cross
Be my glory ever
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river

Selah
Songwriters: Todd Smith, Chad Cates, Tony Wood
Additional lyrics to ‘Near The Cross‘ by Fanny Crosby and William Doane

*  ~  ♥  ~   ✞   ~  ♥  ~  *

Despite the utter depravity, the evil, the darkness and destruction which was intended by the enemy of our soul’s on that dark, dark day…there truly never was nor ever will be any thing MORE perfect, pure, and beautiful than the Cross on which the Christ accomplished God’s perfect plan.  When the time came, Jesus willfully, intentionally, purposefully gave up His life.  All because of love.

And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit.
And at once the curtain of the sanctuary of the temple was torn
in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split.
The tombs were opened and many bodies of the saints
who had fallen asleep in death were raised [to life];
Matthew 26:50-52

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three,
because the sun’s light failed. The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle.
And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit.”
Luke 23:44-46

When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
And at three Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lemá sabachtháni?”
which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “Look, He’s calling for Elijah!”
Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, fixed it on a reed, offered Him a drink,
and said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to take Him down!”
But Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last.
Then the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom.
Mark 15:33-38

Magnificent, incredible, beautiful acts of nature happened at the exact  moment of Jesus’ death.  As He laid down His life and offered Himself as the perfect, spotless Lamb—

  • the sky became as dark as night for three hours
  • the massive (60 foot high and four inch thick) curtain in front of the Holy of Holies in the temple at Jerusalem tore in half from TOP to bottom
  • the tombs opened and many believers were raised to life
  • there was an earthquake

There was nothing…at all…beautiful about the Cross itself.  But there is no denying the beautiful awesomeness, the absolute perfection in the events surrounding Jesus’ death on the Cross.

*  ~  ♥  ~   ✞   ~  ♥  ~  *

The love that Jesus proved by His sacrifice of Himself…is beautiful.
The redemption of all mankind back to God the Father…is beautiful.
The mercy and grace that was poured out on each of us…is beautiful.

What can be more beautiful than the Hope of spending eternity
in the presence of Almighty God and our Lord, Jesus the Christ?

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jesus is The WAY, The TRUTH, and The LIFE

April 1, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Recorded in the Gospel of John, our Lord made seven statements referring to Himself as I AM…

I AM The Light of the World
I AM The Bread of Life
I AM The Door
I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The True Vine
I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life
I AM The Resurrection and The Life

Each week during this season of Lent, here on the Seeking Him blog, we will be focusing our devotionals on a different aspect of Jesus’ revelation of Himself as I AM.  The aim of Lent should be to prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice—His trial and torture, the Crucifixion and His death…and above all, the celebration of His Resurrection from the dead.  We pray that this will be a great encouragement to each of you who read them.  And that all of us will consider the significance of Jesus’ words and, through them, be helped as we remember and are thankful for all Jesus went through during the last few weeks of His life on this earth.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Jesus answered, “I AM The Way and The Truth and The Life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.
If you really know Me, you will know My Father as well.
From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.”
John 14:6-7 NIV

The topic this week reminds me of a song we used to sing in my Sunday school days, here are the lyrics.

I am The Way and The Truth and The Life;
That’s what Jesus said
Without The Way there is no going,
Without The Truth there is no knowing,
Without The Life there is no growing,
I am The Way and The Truth and The Life;
That’s what Jesus said

Very true!  Without The Way?  There is no going…where can you go if there is no way through?  We cannot go to the Father except through Jesus.  The Way give access to wherever we want to go.  Therefore Jesus is the True Access to the many blessings the Lord has in store for us. We need to accept that Jesus is the only access and that sure way to everything.

Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand
and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God
Romans 5:2

Without The Truth? Wow, just having Christ in us and us in Him we are assured of having knowledge of the truth of the great things—for Christ knows all.  For it means we know God, too!

If you really know Me, you will know My Father as well.
From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.”
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know Me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?
Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me?
The words I say to you I do not speak on My own authority.
Rather, it is the Father, living in Me, who is doing His work.
John 14: 7-10 NIV

Jesus is life.  Without The Life?  Well,  “no Jesus=no life”.  Accepting Him as the Lord and Savior gives us eternal life.  We thank God for giving us life through Christ Jesus.  Otherwise there was no one to pay for our sins if it was not for Christ.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Lord, we thank You for giving us Christ Jesus to be our Way, our Truth, and our Life. We are able to access abundant blessings through Him. We are able to know Your Word through Him.  And we have life through Him.  He is a blessing to our lives.  We pray for the grace to remain in Him and Him in us!  We pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

He Loved Me To The End

April 1, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I won’t give up, He loved me to the end
I will press on, He loved me to the end
I set my mind on things above, He loved me to the end

And so will I love Him
I have to give Him everything
Be faithful unto death
Oh, He loved me to the end

To be with Him in paradise, He loved me to the end
I’ll be clothed in a robe of white, He loved me to the end
I’ll cast my crown at the feet of Christ, He loved me to the end

We have overcome
We have overcome
We have overcome…by His blood
Oh, He loved me to the end

International House of Prayer-KC
written by Jenny Powell
*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *
The Lord God Almighty, our Heavenly Father, had it in His heart to provide a Savior for all mankind.  A Redeemer who would save us from eternal damnation and would be THE Way to eternal life and grace for all time.  God purposed throughout mankind’s history to bring His plan into existence.  Nothing ever thwarted or deterred our God from bringing His perfect plan—a plan of love and grace—into fruition. And His Son, our Lord, willingly sacrificed Himself to execute His Father’s plan.

From early in His earthly ministry, Jesus told His disciples about this.

…but there is One Who has come down from heaven—the Son of Man
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole],
so must [so it is necessary that] the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross],
In order that everyone who believes in Him [who cleaves to Him, trusts Him, and relies on Him]
may not perish, but have eternal life and [actually] live forever!
For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world
that He [even] gave up His only begotten Son,
so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him
shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
For God did not send the Son into the world
in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world,
but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
John 3:13-17

God’s Son came to the earth and lived His life on this earth single-mindedly to do His Father’s Will.  God’s plan was one of Love, and Jesus’ life was all about Love—Love to the end.

[Now] before the Passover Festival began, Jesus knew (was fully aware)
that His hour had come to depart from this world and return to the Father.
Having loved those who were His own in the world, He loved them to the end.
John 13:1

Jesus purposed to share a final last meal and communicated many important things with those closest to Him.  The Gospel of John, chapters 13 through 17, records just some of Jesus’ words to them (and to us) that He spoke during this Last Supper just prior to His betrayal, His persecution, and His death.  He spoke to them (recorded in chapter 13) about loving one another in the same way that He had shown His love to them (verses 2-19), and demonstrated it through the lowly task of washing their feet…He clearly pointed out exactly who His betrayer was (verses 20-31)…He again commanded them to love one another (verse 34).

In chapter 14, Jesus shares with them about the Comforter—the Holy Spirit—Who He was sending to take His place.

In chapter 15, Jesus shows the importance of dwelling with Him and abiding in Him.  He talked with them in so much detail about His and the Father’s love…and how our love toward Them is proven by our obedience.

In chapter 16, Jesus is deeply concerned that they will be prepared for His leaving.  He communicates, with encouragement as well as admonition, as He tells them again about the Comforter.

And in chapter 17, Jesus prays for them.  We ‘hear’ as He speaks with the Father of His great concern and love that He had for them.  How beautifully and compassionately He asks the Father to care for them.  He truly loved them to the end.

And, wondrously, He even spoke of us:

Neither for these alone do I pray [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching,  That they all may be one, [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me. (verses 20 and 21)

Our Lord, Who knew exactly what was transpiring and how His betrayal was imminent prayed these final words for them:

I in them and You in Me,
in order that they may become one and perfectly united,
that the world may know and [definitely] recognize
that You sent Me and that You have loved them
[even] as You have loved Me.
Father, I desire that they also
whom You have entrusted to Me [as Your gift to Me]
may be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory,
which You have given Me [Your love gift to Me];
for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
O just and righteous Father, although the world has not known You
and has failed to recognize You and has never acknowledged You,
I have known You [continually];
and these men understand and know that You have sent Me.
I have made Your Name known to them
and revealed Your character and Your very Self,
and I will continue to make [You] known,
that the love which You have bestowed upon Me
may be in them [felt in their hearts]
and that I [Myself] may be in them.
(verses 23-26)

Perhaps this coming week as we are contemplating and considering just what it took for God to fulfill our redemption through our Lord’s suffering and death, you could read the Gospel of John, chapters 13 through 17.  Nowhere else in the Scriptures, is so much communicated to help us know beyond a shadow of a doubt of our Father’s and our Lord’s unconditional love for us.  Our Lord’s entire life was all about love…and He truly and completely and perfectly loved us to the end.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Quinoa-Veggie Salad with Citrus Honey Vinaigrette

March 31, 2015 by

This simple salad is so refreshing!  The first time I made it, I made just enough for supper.  THAT was a mistake!  Hubby loved it…so i included it in our menu plan for the next week.  This time, I made a double batch (quantities below).  This salad stays very well kept in the ‘fridge for up to a week (my experience).  The vinaigrette is tart and sweet at the same time making this refreshing.

This salad is a great basic and can easily be adapted to your loved ones’ tastes.  Here are a few additional serving suggestions:
– add another orange, segmented and chopped, is delicious in here
– this is even better (as seen in the picture) with some roasted asparagus or steamed green beans tossed in
– you can use agave instead of the honey to make a vegan salad
– try a different nut or seed (pine nuts, slivered almonds, etc.)

I think this is a good one to keep in the rotation all year long!  Equally enjoyable wintertime  alongside a piece of salmon as it would be on your picnic buffet during the summertime!  Enjoy!

Quinoa Salad with Citrus-Honey Vinaigrette

2014-11-27 14.19.10

ingredients:
salad
1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut up into 1″ cubes
olive (or coconut) oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper, for seasoning squash
2 cups multi-color quinoa
1 teaspoon olive or coconut oil
4 cups water
pinch of salt
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

vinaigrette
2 large oranges (zest 1 first; and then juice both of them)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

directions:

  • preheat oven to 400
  • line a baking sheet with parchment paper
  • place butternut squash cubes and oil in a large bowl; season well with salt, pepper and pour onto the lined baking sheet
  • roast the squash for 20 minutes, turning once, ‘til tender and slightly caramelized
  • while the butternut is roasting, cook the quinoa: in a medium saucepan, heat 1 teaspoon of oil and then stir in the quinoa, making sure to coat all the grains w/the oil.  then add the water and salt; stir well and bring to a boil over medium heat. cover pan, turn heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes or so ‘til all the water is absorbed. remove from heat and fluff with a fork. let quinoa cool to room temperature (I spread it out on a baking sheet)
  • and this is a good time to get the vinaigrette together… in a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, zest, olive oil, and honey (I used an immersion blender) ‘til emulsified.  season well with salt and pepper, to taste
  • when the squash is done, let that cool for a few minutes, too. then combine quinoa, butternut, dried cranberries, and pepitas in a large serving bowl
  • drizzle the vinaigrette over quinoa salad. toss until ingredients are well dressed.  taste again for additional seasoning

 

   ♥      ♥      ♥      ♥      ♥ 

God loves you!   ♥  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen

Filed Under: At Home w/ GCH Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

The Map to Salvation

March 31, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Recorded in the Gospel of John, our Lord made seven statements referring to Himself as I AM…

I AM The Light of the World
I AM The Bread of Life
I AM The Door
I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The True Vine
I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life
I AM The Resurrection and The Life

Each week during this season of Lent, here on the Seeking Him blog, we will be focusing our devotionals on a different aspect of Jesus’ revelation of Himself as I AM.  The aim of Lent should be to prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice—His trial and torture, the Crucifixion and His death…and above all, the celebration of His Resurrection from the dead.  We pray that this will be a great encouragement to each of you who read them.  And that all of us will consider the significance of Jesus’ words and, through them, be helped as we remember and are thankful for all Jesus went through during the last few weeks of His life on this earth.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where You are going,
so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I AM the Way and the Truth and the Life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.
If you really know Me, you will know My Father as well.
From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.”
John 14:5-7

Have you ever been given directions on how to get somewhere?  I have, and sometimes they are hard to follow.  I get lost just trying to follow the GPS on my husband’s phone.  If I don’t know the area, I will get lost with the simplest of directions.  I have to have landmarks; they help me know exactly where I am going.  If you give me directions, make sure to give me landmarks, too, to look for while I am driving.

I must know the way if I am going to get where I am going.  Here on Earth, directions can be very confusing.  Directions can especially be confusing when landmarks are similar, or the person giving them can confuse me if they start describing landmarks or road names when I have never been in the area.  It is probably this way for a lot of people.

Yet, when it comes to eternal life, we have a great road map for directions!  Jesus gave us this road map when He spent His last moments before the Crucifixion with His disciples.  He told them that He is the way to God.  He is the truth from God.  Jesus brought God’s truth to us and gave us life.

And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive;
he was lost, and is found.
Luke 15:31-32

Remember the parable of the prodigal son?  We are the prodigal sons and daughters of God.  Just like the prodigal son in Jesus’s parable, we have wandered away…thinking that we know what is best for ourselves.  And we mess up.  We sin.  We get away from God.

When we finally hit rock bottom, we come back.  We are like the prodigal son who goes looking for his father’s help.  We seek our Father’s (God’s) help in turning our life around.  Jesus told us that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  By accepting Him, we are reconciled with God and given a new life.  God rejoices when we come back to the True Way.  We were once lost, but now we are found.

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Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the way back to You.  Thank You for the truth and the eternal life that became ours when Jesus sacrificed Himself on the Cross.  Without it we would be forever lost.  We rejoice when we find you again and You rejoice as well.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Know The Father Through His Son Jesus

March 30, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Recorded in the Gospel of John, our Lord made seven statements referring to Himself as I AM…

I AM The Light of the World
I AM The Bread of Life
I AM The Door
I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The True Vine
I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life
I AM The Resurrection and The Life

Each week during this season of Lent, here on the Seeking Him blog, we will be focusing our devotionals on a different aspect of Jesus’ revelation of Himself as I AM.  The aim of Lent should be to prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice—His trial and torture, the Crucifixion and His death…and above all, the celebration of His Resurrection from the dead.  We pray that this will be a great encouragement to each of you who read them.  And that all of us will consider the significance of Jesus’ words and, through them, be helped as we remember and are thankful for all Jesus went through during the last few weeks of His life on this earth.

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Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  Jesus answered, “I AM The  Way and The Truth and The Life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.  If you really know Me, you will know My Father as well.  From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.”  Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”  Jesus answered: “Don’t you know Me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.  How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?  Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me?  The words I say to you I do not speak on My own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in Me, who is doing His work.  Believe Me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.  Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it.

John 14:5-14 

Jesus loves me.  Jesus loves you.  When you and I study the Bible, we are learning about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  The words we read are inspired by the Holy Spirit.  Nothing is written where the power of God did not move the people to write, translate, and compile the book we know as the Bible.

Can you hear Jesus’ frustration with Philip?  (Though I am not sure I may not have asked the same question.)  Through their training and living with Jesus, the Apostles may have just looked at him as just a man with an anointing from God.  Not as Who He truly is—Jesus being the image of God.  This thought is pretty cool though.  Just think of being around Jesus, who is the image of God, for three years.  I would imagine I might  just take for granted Jesus being with us everyday, not thinking He was going to ever leave.  I would, not intentionally, not listen as intently. I would hear, but not really.  Then once He was gone I would regret not having been more intentional in listening, as well as noting everything being said…watching the miracles being performed…wishing I had asked for God to anoint me in much the same way as His Son.

This reminds me of Elisha and Elijah in the Old Testament.  In this record, just before Elijah was taken up to be with God, Elisha asked for the anointing of Elijah’s power, to do God’s work with His people. Just by taking up Elijah’s robe, Elisha was able to continue to do God’s great work among the Jewish people. In reading about the prophet, I just realized the young boy Elisha healed through God…was Habakkuk. Just amazing how God works in everyone’s life!!!

God is wonderful.  He coordinates, orchestras our lives in ways we never realize.  This Easter season, look for ways to bless others and to be a blessing.   Ask the neighbor if they want to go to an Easter celebration with you, or if they would like to have lunch or dinner with you and your family this year.  If you do this already, expand and invite others.  Be a blessing. God will reward you greatly.

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Thank You, Father, for Your love.  Thank You for watching over us and keeping us safe in all areas of our life.  Give us opportunities to be a blessing in other’s lives.  Help us to be a willing vessel to be used by you to further Your Kingdom.  In Jesus’s name, amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Because He Lives

March 30, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives

How sweet to hold a newborn baby
And feel the pride and joy he gives
But greater still the calm assurance
This child can face uncertain days because He lives

And then one day, I’ll cross the river
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain
And then, as death gives way to victory
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives

Alabama
Writer(s): Bill Gaither, Patrick Standfast, Arnthor Birgisson, Christian Karlsson, Alceu Alvez Damico, Gloria Gaither
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In choosing the songs I’ve been blogging on, I’ve been taking it old school recently.  Don’t get me wrong…I love the contemporary Christian music.  But there is something about Easter that takes me back to the gospel songs I grew up on.  I actually heard the Bill Gaither Trio perform this song live.  (Now I’m dating myself!)

This song has been on my mind the past couple of weeks.  There are things in my life that are a bit uncertain right now.  That’s tough on a recovering control freak with an “I can fix this!” complex.  So I find the words of this song comforting and reassuring.  Simply because  ‘…an empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!’

2 Chronicles 20:17 (HCSB) is one of my favorite Scriptures. This is why I can face my tomorrows without fear—Yahweh is with me.

“You do not have to fight this battle.
Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.
He is with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
Tomorrow, go out to face them, for Yahweh is with you.”

Jesus didn’t remain in the tomb.  Hell had no power over Him.  Acts 2:31b (NASB) states “He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay.”  Romans 6:9 (AMP) puts it this way “Because we know that Christ (the Anointed One), being once raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has power over Him.”  Or better yet, look at Jesus’ words in Revelation 1:18 (NKJV).

I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.
Amen.  And I have the keys of Hades and of Death!

(I love this emphatic statement!)  The unequivocal truth is Jesus overcame death and conquered hell.  So what do we have to fear?  Nothing!  One day, when we see the ‘lights of glory’ we will confidently say:

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
1 Corinthians 15:55

Because then we will KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that He Lives!

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Oh Lord, I will never be able to thank You or praise You enough for the wonderful things You have done for me.  Because You live, I truly can face each day without fear—knowing You came to love, heal, and forgive.  You lived and died to buy my pardon, something I would have never been able to obtain on my own.  Remind me of this when uncertainty threatens to overwhelm me.  In Your Holy name I ask this – Amen, It Is So!

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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