The Seeker's Reward
Focus Scripture
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” — Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Introduction
Like young lions roaming through the Serengeti, many people in the world are suffering from the pain of inexperience (Psalms 34:10). So many find themselves searching for that which will satisfy them spiritually among things that are not. This has led us into a lifestyle of worry and lack, with a hunger that cannot be satisfied. However, the psalmist gave us the key to overcoming this painful state of worry, lack and hunger and that is seeking God. In other words, the answer to the problem of inexperience is to have an experience with God. This can only be accomplished through seeking His face.
The reward for seeking God is God himself. He is the reward, and He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Often, we seek God in pursuit of material things such as money, cars, houses, a promotion on the job and a spouse, among other things. The truth is God owns everything; it all belongs to Him (Psalm 24:1). Therefore, if we get God, the things will come (Matthew 6:33). He’s the prize, He’s the goal, He’s the reward. This week, we will walk through five ways we can experience a God encounter. My prayer is that you would join me in this pursuit so that you can receive The Seeker’s Reward.
The reward for seeking God is God himself. He is the reward, and He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Often, we seek God in pursuit of material things such as money, cars, houses, a promotion on the job and a spouse, among other things. The truth is God owns everything; it all belongs to Him (Psalm 24:1). Therefore, if we get God, the things will come (Matthew 6:33). He’s the prize, He’s the goal, He’s the reward. This week, we will walk through five ways we can experience a God encounter. My prayer is that you would join me in this pursuit so that you can receive The Seeker’s Reward.
This Week's Devotionals
Day 1: His Word
One of the first places I encountered God was His word. For years I grew up with a false idea of who God was. Things we said playfully as a child shaped my perception of who God was. For instance, if a person were to lie or say something inappropriate, we’d back up and say to that person, “God is about to strike you down!” Although this was all fun and games, without realizing it, the lens I saw God through became soiled with inaccurate claims of His character. The truth is God is not waiting for a moment to destroy you. Instead, His love for us is everlasting and He uses it to draw us to Him. This truth wasn’t clear to me until I read it in His word:
“The Lord has appeared [a]of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”— Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV
The Message translation made it even more plain to me: “God told them, “I’ve never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love!”
This truth is not new news, but it’s good news. God loves me and I want you to know that He loves you. Begin to seek the face of God through His word. Learn His character, how He moves, and how He loves. I believe that as you search for Him in the Word, you will begin to experience God for yourself in a special way.
“The Lord has appeared [a]of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”— Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV
The Message translation made it even more plain to me: “God told them, “I’ve never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love!”
This truth is not new news, but it’s good news. God loves me and I want you to know that He loves you. Begin to seek the face of God through His word. Learn His character, how He moves, and how He loves. I believe that as you search for Him in the Word, you will begin to experience God for yourself in a special way.
Day 2: Prayer
Is there a particular food that you enjoy so much that you would go out of your way just to experience those flavors again? I remember a time where Chanell began craving some ribs from a particular barbecue restaurant and she wanted to drive out to get some. I would tell her no because it was too far from our house. She remained persistent so eventually I gave in and we made that drive into West Tampa to get her some barbecue. Nevertheless, she was satisfied.
Just as our flesh experiences cravings, there’s a singular craving that our souls experience day in and day out and that is for an experience with God. This craving can only be satisfied through the earnest pursuit of God. Just as we were willing to leave the comfort of our neighborhood in order to experience those smokey barbecue flavors, we must be willing to stretch beyond comfort to experience the richness of God’s presence.
Several years ago, I was observing the life of one of my spiritual fathers and I was amazed at how God moved through him and the congregation, how they were able to achieve such great success over the years. Finally, I asked him “How did you do it?” I expected a complex formula that included vision, systems, and ways to get resources. However, his response was “Prayer.” He began to explain to me that every element of their success was always rooted back to their commitment to prayer. For over a decade, their church has been praying together daily and continue to do so to this day.
When I heard his answer, I was both motivated and frustrated. Motivated because I wanted to experience similar success. Frustrated because at that moment, my personal prayer life was nearly minimal. I felt exposed with a deep sense of discomfort because here I am, a pastor, and I prayed only over my food and during worship services. Nevertheless, my craving for an experience, like that of my father, overpowered the frustration in my heart. I was willing to do whatever it takes. In December of 2019, we began to pray together daily as a church. In the beginning I was very nervous because I didn’t know what to say or how to say it, but I refused to quit. As time continued, God began to reveal himself to me and the congregation. He began to highlight areas in my life in need of correction and healing. My hunger for Him grew deeper. The word of God became clearer. Friend, I encountered God through the lifestyle of prayer.
The Bible is full of vivid instructions of why we should pray. Apostle Paul says to pray continually as this is the will of God for our lives (1 Thessalonians 5:17,18). In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul declares a call to abandon worry and pursue God through prayer: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Then here’s the encounter: “…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Today, I encourage you to engage in a lifestyle of prayer so that you may experience God through His promise of peace.
Just as our flesh experiences cravings, there’s a singular craving that our souls experience day in and day out and that is for an experience with God. This craving can only be satisfied through the earnest pursuit of God. Just as we were willing to leave the comfort of our neighborhood in order to experience those smokey barbecue flavors, we must be willing to stretch beyond comfort to experience the richness of God’s presence.
Several years ago, I was observing the life of one of my spiritual fathers and I was amazed at how God moved through him and the congregation, how they were able to achieve such great success over the years. Finally, I asked him “How did you do it?” I expected a complex formula that included vision, systems, and ways to get resources. However, his response was “Prayer.” He began to explain to me that every element of their success was always rooted back to their commitment to prayer. For over a decade, their church has been praying together daily and continue to do so to this day.
When I heard his answer, I was both motivated and frustrated. Motivated because I wanted to experience similar success. Frustrated because at that moment, my personal prayer life was nearly minimal. I felt exposed with a deep sense of discomfort because here I am, a pastor, and I prayed only over my food and during worship services. Nevertheless, my craving for an experience, like that of my father, overpowered the frustration in my heart. I was willing to do whatever it takes. In December of 2019, we began to pray together daily as a church. In the beginning I was very nervous because I didn’t know what to say or how to say it, but I refused to quit. As time continued, God began to reveal himself to me and the congregation. He began to highlight areas in my life in need of correction and healing. My hunger for Him grew deeper. The word of God became clearer. Friend, I encountered God through the lifestyle of prayer.
The Bible is full of vivid instructions of why we should pray. Apostle Paul says to pray continually as this is the will of God for our lives (1 Thessalonians 5:17,18). In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul declares a call to abandon worry and pursue God through prayer: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Then here’s the encounter: “…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Today, I encourage you to engage in a lifestyle of prayer so that you may experience God through His promise of peace.
Day 3: Worship
In John, Chapter 4, we find Jesus having a conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. It’s here that he shares a powerful truth that speaks directly to us today:
“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” — John 4:21-24
The third way that we seek after the face of God is through our worship. Not just any worship, but spirit-filled, honest and pure worship. This is the worship that not only pursues the heart of God, but the worshipper who does this is one whom God seeks. Yes. In worship, not only do we seek after God, but we discover that God is seeking after us. I want you to know that God has been looking for your worship. Now is the time to release a signal from the earth to Heaven. His spirit will come and meet us in our worship.
From a child into early adulthood, I was rather timid and quiet. I later began to sing publicly—in and out of church and found myself on the worship team. The problem though is that I feared worshipping God publicly. I was afraid of how I would look, how I would sound and what people would think. So, I’d sing but my song would never reach the dimension of worship. Until one day I broke free of my fear and reached out to the Father, only to discover that He was reaching out to me. I encountered God in worship.
It’s also important to note that Jesus removed the physical constraints to worship (John 4:21). Because of His sacrifice on the cross, worship was no longer relegated to the temple (or sanctuary) when we receive salvation. Through the work of Christ, we became the temple of God’s spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). Therefore, worship can take place in your home, the car, or the parking lot. You can worship God in your office, you can worship as you walk. Regardless of where you worship, know that the time to worship is now! God is ready to meet you in the place of worship.
“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” — John 4:21-24
The third way that we seek after the face of God is through our worship. Not just any worship, but spirit-filled, honest and pure worship. This is the worship that not only pursues the heart of God, but the worshipper who does this is one whom God seeks. Yes. In worship, not only do we seek after God, but we discover that God is seeking after us. I want you to know that God has been looking for your worship. Now is the time to release a signal from the earth to Heaven. His spirit will come and meet us in our worship.
From a child into early adulthood, I was rather timid and quiet. I later began to sing publicly—in and out of church and found myself on the worship team. The problem though is that I feared worshipping God publicly. I was afraid of how I would look, how I would sound and what people would think. So, I’d sing but my song would never reach the dimension of worship. Until one day I broke free of my fear and reached out to the Father, only to discover that He was reaching out to me. I encountered God in worship.
It’s also important to note that Jesus removed the physical constraints to worship (John 4:21). Because of His sacrifice on the cross, worship was no longer relegated to the temple (or sanctuary) when we receive salvation. Through the work of Christ, we became the temple of God’s spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). Therefore, worship can take place in your home, the car, or the parking lot. You can worship God in your office, you can worship as you walk. Regardless of where you worship, know that the time to worship is now! God is ready to meet you in the place of worship.
Day 4: Repentance
Day 5: Fellowship
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