• Giving God Glory by seeking His heart

A Seeking Heart

~ Hearing God's Voice in the Chaos.

A Seeking Heart

Monthly Archives: April 2015

We Want More

24 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by Melissa G in Encouragement

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, encouragement, enjoying God with all five senses, feeling God's touch, fragrance of God, hearing God, more of God, poems about God, seeing God, tasting God

Our eyes see You dimly,

But, You are still glorious!

Our ears hear only a tinkling charm of Your voice,

Yet, You are still the sweetest sound we have ever heard.

We have caught the slightest scent of who You are,

And it is still to us the most beautiful fragrance of all.

We have opened our mouths wide and You have filled them,

Yet, our hearts know there is so much more of You.

We have felt the slightest pressure from Your touch and fallen to our knees;

We know no mortal can feel more and live

Yet, we want more of You.

We want more of You, O God.

Visit our website at –  http://www.seekinghearts.org

Advertisement

Tongues of Grace

10 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by Melissa G in Christian Growth

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

back biting, bad words, basics, Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, complaining, control, controlling our tongues, controlling our words, fussing, God in control of our tongues, good witness, good words, gossip, light in our world, mouths, our mouths, our testimony, testimonies, tongues, words

Honeybee Image 2

Galatians is an awesome book of the Bible filled with such insight into our freedom in Christ. I love all the passages that teach that we are free in Christ and no longer slaves to the law. For this former Pharisee, that’s groundbreaking. There are other parts of Galatians though that cut me deep with conviction. Galatians 5:13-15 is just such a passage. It says: “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”

I don’t know about you, but that last verse makes me cringe. It makes me cringe because I have often been guilty of biting and devouring others and because I have been bitten and devoured myself. Painful stuff. What in the world causes people, especially Christian people, to bite and devour each other? What makes us think that it’s okay to tear someone up with our words? Why is this sin so acceptable when so many others are not?

Maybe we ignore this depravity because we view it as too hard to control. After all, James 3:8-10 says, “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” James also says in verse two of this same chapter: “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” Sounds like poor James had been in church awhile.

Another translation of James 3 says that the tongue is a “restless evil.” Have you ever had to deal with a restless toddler? How fun was that?! When you need a toddler, or young child to be still, the more restless they become. This is especially true if a new boundary is being established. So it is with our tongues. When we are determined to tame our tongue, the more restless it becomes. At this point, we often give up thinking that it is of no use to deal with, or we start to make excuses that what we are saying out loud is true so it can’t really be wrong to say it, or we didn’t really hear God tell us to stop hurting people with our tongues. We can also convince ourselves that we aren’t really hurting anyone. After all, we only told our friends, or wrote an anonymous post. We make excuses because it’s easier to deny the truth than to deal with our restless toddler, better known as our words (written or spoken).

So, if our words cause such pain, but it’s imperative that we change, what can we do? Is there hope?

I believe there is. When God gives us a command in Scripture, He always provides the resources. After all, Jesus Himself said some things are impossible for men, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). When we are submitted to the Holy Spirit, He abides in every part of us, including our tongues. When He abides with us, His fruit shows in us…even in our speech.

Colossians 3:1-3 says, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” These verses clearly say that when we are in Christ, we are dead. Our new lives are hidden in Christ. So, I ask you, “Can a dead man bite?” I think not. Our tongues are a restless evil, but when they are put to death, no more harm can take place. Dead men, no matter how powerful when alive, have no power once they are put to death. Was Dorothy scared of the Wicked Witch once she melted into oblivion in The Wizard of Oz? No! Why? The Wicked Witch had no more power of her. She was dead. So it is with our tongues. Once we allow God to crucify our flesh, we are dead and now we have new life. We can still speak only because new life has been given to us. We are free in Christ to then use our new lives for His glory (Galatians 5:1, 13).

We must ask ourselves minute by minute if we are allowing our new life to shine in our tongues. We must ask ourselves if the Holy Spirit has the reins, or have we tried to take matters into our own hands once again? A good litmus test for this is Colossians 4:6. It says, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” If my speech is graceful, the Spirit has control. If my tongue is fiery, I have let the dead man rise again. If I have a tough situation where I have no answer, when that beautiful answer filled with wisdom pours forth, it is not my old man coming to my rescue, but Christ in me. In order to have a tongue of grace, Christ must be in control.

Our world needs to see grace in action, not bitten, scarred up individuals who have been beaten and bruised by their own kind. Who wants to be a part of that? When we have tongues of grace, strangers notice. Our families notice too. Our spouses, our children, our moms and dads will all notice that we are not the same. They will pay attention to our teaching, our testimony and our words of love because they will want to hear what we have say. They won’t be dreading what comes out of our mouths next; they will want to hear. Why? Because having a tongue of grace is a rare thing in this world. Philippians 2:13-15 tells us that we will shine like stars in a dark world when we simply don’t complain and fuss. It’s crazy that such a small thing can have such a testimony, but it’s the truth. Our tongues are the key to our testimonies. Let’s give them to Jesus. Let’s allow Him to change us into beautiful women and men of God who are determined through His Spirit to have a tongue of grace.

Seeking Hearts Ministries

When He Says Your Name

03 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by Melissa G in Encouragement

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

calling, calling your name, Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, Easter, encouragement, God says your name, He knows your name, He speaks your name, Jesus calling your name, Jesus saying your name, Jesus says your name, Mary in the garden with Jesus, names, Resurrection, your name

As a bee searches for pollen, Lord help us to faithfully seek You alone.

As a bee searches for pollen, Lord help us to faithfully seek You alone.

John 20:11-16 says, “But Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher, and seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.”

Have you ever wondered how Mary knew that the man she assumed was the gardener suddenly was recognizable as Jesus? We see in this passage that it was simply because He said her name. Don’t you wonder if something changed in His voice? Did her perception simply change? Was a miraculous understanding given to her in that moment? Or, was it simply because no one ever said Mary’s name like Jesus?

I think it’s the latter. I think He said her name and she simply knew. Why? Because no one says our names like Jesus. Once we have heard our name on His lips, we never forget the sound. When our names are on the lips of someone who loves us, we know.

I can’t say exactly why our names being spoken by someone who loves us matters so much, but it does. It is a special thing when our names are being called by our spouse, our children, our grandchildren, or even a dear friend. Our names on a loved ones’ lips is precious. But, nothing can compare to our names being called by the King of kings.

Names are not just important to us, but to God as well. God assures us so many times throughout Scripture that our names are significant to Him. Why else would He have changed Abram’s name to Abraham, Jacob’s name to Israel and commanded that the forerunner of Christ be named John? He changed Peter’s name as well. Our names are important to God and when we have been in God’s presence, we know how He says our names. We recognize His voice. Exodus 33:17 says, “And the LORD said to Moses, ‘I will do this thing of which you have spoken for you have found favor in My sight, and I have known you by name.’ ”

He not only knew Moses’ name, but you can be assured He knows your name. Psalm 139:13-18 says, “… thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!”

Every part of our being matters to God. Our names represent our whole selves, who we are, so of course they are significant to God. Isaiah 43:1 says, “…Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!”

When is the last time you have you heard Jesus call your name? Was it just one time many years ago? Was it last week when you were in church, or when you were praying with a friend? What about today? Have you heard Him say your name today? Have you been in the Lord’s presence and heard Him say…

“Melissa”

“Beverly”

“Vickie”

“Mark”

“Hope”

“Joy”

“Michael”

“Eliza”….

No one says your name like Jesus. He is saying your name this very minute. Be like Mary and turn your attention fully to Him. Recognize who He is. Listen closely and hear Him say your name today, because no one can say your name like Jesus.

Seeking Hearts Ministries

Subscribe

  • Entries (RSS)
  • Comments (RSS)

Archives

  • October 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • August 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • December 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • June 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013

Categories

  • Christian Growth
  • Encouragement
  • Fasting
  • Guest Bloggers
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • A Seeking Heart
    • Join 76 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • A Seeking Heart
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...