Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice. Psalm 55:17 KJV

The greatest thing we can do as Christians is to maintain and cultivate our time with God—to start, end, and fill the middle of our days by connecting with Him. Set time aside—in the corner of your basement, in a quiet spot in the woods, at the kitchen table—find a place to pray. Start your day ministering to the Lord. While you’re getting ready in the morning, just begin to tell Him you love Him. In the car, turn off the radio and talk to God.

There are challenges all around, all the time. Yet, we are not without the presenceof a Savior who came to this earth on a rescue mission. He conquered death (1 Corinthians 15:55), so He can take care of everything else! Situations may be far beyond your human skill, but Jesus is the resurrection and the life, and nothing is beyond Him. He is willing and able to deliver.

The following verses show the prophet Jeremiah at a time when he had lost hope and was depressed, and anxiety gripped his heart. Then he shifted his focus from his circumstances and began to focus on God’s faithfulness.

I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed. I remember it all—oh, how well I remember— the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, His merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left. Lamentations 3:19-24 The Message

God’s grace is covering your life. His love is steadfast. His mercies are hovering at your waking moment—new every morning. God is not vague and distant—He is present to help you in you time of need. Do you need wisdom? Ask God who gives to all generously (James 1:5). God’s arm is never too short to save you (Isaiah 59:1), and He is going to come through in your situation.

Seek God!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2011 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Lamentations scriptures taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem . . . He did right in the sight of the Lord according to all that his father Amaziah had done. He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him. 2 Chronicles 26:3-5

“Seek” (verb): to go in search or quest of; to try to find or discover by searching. To ask for; request.*

It’s worth it to seek God. As long as Uzziah sought the Lord, God prospered him—not just in economic terms, but in every area of his life. God’s presence and wisdom in our lives are more precious and vital than gold or any other substance of value (Proverbs 8:10-11). The qualifier, “as long as we seek God,” will help keep us from the lethargy and apathy that try to distract us from knowing the Creator of the Universe.

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Luke 11:9

Continue seeking God. Everyone is excited when the start gun goes off at a race, but crossing the finish line is what really matters. Serve God your whole life. Don’t become satiated with the things of the world. Instead, let your life be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Let God fill your holidays. As you go into the holidays, spend some extra time seeking the Lord. Use your coffee break at work to pull out your New Testament and read some verses. Pray. Turn off the radio and use the moments in your car to talk to God. Seek God and invite Him to be number one in every area of your life.

Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually. Psalm 105:4

Keep seeking God!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2010 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.*”seek.” Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 21 Nov. 2010.

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Proverbs 3:13-15 NKJV

We need God’s wisdom to help us navigate through the challenges of life. I once heard a preacher combine the two primary Greek New Testament words for wisdom to describe it as “insight into the true nature of things with a view to the end result.” We need that big-picture thinking that God’s wisdom offers.

Look at the context. This is the wisdom corresponding to various trials. In other words, God has answers for every circumstance if we’ll ask and listen.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:2-5

When we face obstacles, God’s wisdom—which transcends people’s good ideas—is available! Ask God for that “spirit of wisdom and revelation” (Ephesians 1:17). He will give you guidance about that broken relationship. He will show you how to restore your finances, get your health back, and get your attitude, mood, and outlook on track. As you seek God for direction, He will walk you through every minefield and Mensa-level maze, and your life will be a testimony of God’s wisdom directing your steps.

Press on!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2010 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Without becoming weak in faith he [Abraham] contemplated his own body, now as
good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s
womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but
grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God
had promised, He was able also to perform. Romans 4:19-21

Even though Abraham was beyond what seemed like the proper time for the
fulfillment of God’s promise to make him a father of many nations, Abraham
remained “fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform”
(Romans 4:21). That God is our God! Let the mighty deeds God has done through
history generate hope for your specific situation.

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4

Believers who have their roots in the truth of the Word have a foundation for their
hope. It’s not false optimism—it’s anchored on the faithfulness of God to His
people (Psalm 1:1-3). Renew your determination to seek God and read the Word.
Don’t back down, because that is where you find the strength and substance for
your hope!

If you feel like life has passed you by and you missed your time to see God’s plan
come to pass, take a stance like Abraham who “in hope against hope” believed
(Romans 4:18a). It’s not too late! God is looking to strongly support those whose
hearts are His (2 Chronicles 16:9). “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why
have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,
the help of my countenance and my God!” (Psalm 42:11).

Press on!
Pastor Jeff

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2

God has called us to be seekers. He has hidden treasures not from us, but for us. Our disinterest, though, can hinder our finding. Our world of information saturation can numb us to our desperation and need for God. Even Uzziah, a great king in the Old Testament who prospered by seeking God, had a bad end because he stopped seeking (2 Chronicles 26).

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Colossians 3:1-2

What’s bugging you right now? Seek God about it. “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things” (Daniel 2:22). Even if you seek God while feeling flat-lined, God is looking at the heart of faith. So dust off your Bible. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly now so you can draw upon the Word when you need it (Colossians 3:16).

Jesus promised that if you seek you will find (Matthew 7:7-8). Spend time alone with God. Set the Lord continually before you and you won’t be shaken (Psalm 16:8).

Keep Seeking!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

God designed us to be seekers and find what He has prepared for us (Luke 11:9-10). As we seek God, we’ll understand things about our world and the times we live in: “Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all things” (Proverbs 28:5). Seeking God is also the cure for depression: “Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad” (Psalm 105:3). Here are some practical steps to help you seek God in your daily life.

Thanksgiving. Every day enter into thanksgiving for what God has given you and for what He’s doing in your life. Psalm 100:4

Praise. Offer up praise—tell God you love Him! Hebrews 13:15

Fellowship. Spend time talking with God apart from request-making. John 15:4

Church. Nothing can substitute for corporate worship and praise. Hebrews 10:25

Meditate. Stop and ponder a verse. Marinate in it. Psalm 1:1-3

Read. Read the Bible. Just sit down and read a chapter and watch how it refreshes your soul. Psalm 119

Think of Jesus. Every few moments acknowledge Him. Philippians 4:8; Psalm 105:4

Jesus said to seek first His kingdom. The Greek word used here for “first” is proton, which means “first in time, place, order, and importance.” Whenever you wake up, before you put your feet on the floor, put Jesus first in time, place, order, and importance. Focus on Him.

God is working mightily on the inside of you. He is beckoning and prompting you to know Him more. He is not allowing you to be comfortable with a fleshly, subordinate, minimized approach toward life. He’s giving you big dreams and big visions because He is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond the natural (Ephesians 3:20). Break out of the mundane and the monotonous and go after it with God. He has promised that “they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing” (Psalm 34:10).

Press On!
Pastor Jeff

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem . . . He did right in the sight of the Lord according to all that his father Amaziah had done. He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him. 2 Chronicles 26:3-5

As Uzziah sought the Lord, God blessed him in every feature and aspect of his life. Uzziah built, restored, reigned, prospered, went forth, warred, and broke down walls, and he became famous. Uzziah didn’t prosper automatically—he prospered as long as he sought God. The phrase “as long as” comes from the Hebrew word yowm, which means “from sunrise to sunset.” That’s daily devotion—keeping Jesus continually before us from morning to night.

Hence his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong. But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the Lord his God. 2 Chronicles 26:15b-16a

When Uzziah became strong he stopped seeking God. Through pride he became corrupt, and at the end of his life he was remembered not as a powerful king who accomplished mighty things, but as a leper. His persistent wrongdoing should be a warning, and provoke us to explore the depths of the wisdom of the riches of the knowledge of God. God is calling us to stick with this thing by constantly seeking Him. As long as we do so, He promises to prosper us.

I want everyone reading this to get the breakthrough that Jesus died to give. Start your day by reading your Bible. Turn off the TV and read even just one verse before bed. Meditate on the Word. Don’t underestimate the value of a devoted life. “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His” (2 Chronicles 16.9).

Seek God!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. 2 Corinthians 13:5-6

As we inspect and evaluate ourselves, we have to understand that Jesus is on the inside of us. “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). The peril of introspection is to stop short at the “work out your salvation” part and miss the conclusion that God is working in you. The power of Jesus in us is not to be underestimated.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV

God is at work in you. That is how you got to this point. That is how you endured. As long as you seek God and put Him before you, you will be at an amazing advantage. Through vicious temptations and harsh trials, we have to do everything we can to press in, seeing that none of us falls short of what God has for our lives. Take hold of this “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” power that is available to us through Jesus.

Don’t cave in! Other people need what you have. Of course the enemy is going to bombard you, because there are good works that God has prepared you to walk in—mountain-moving, nation-changing, world-reaching, soul-saving, and Jesus-uplifting good works! “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Press on!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.