Tag Archives: deeper relationship with God

Blessing, Faith

Have You Seen? Have You Heard?

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What if I told you that what your eyes have seen is only the smallest glimpse of what God has prepared? That what your ears have heard is but a whisper of the symphony He is composing for those who love Him? The plans of the Almighty stretch beyond imagination, beyond human wisdom, beyond even the deepest longings of the heart. As it is written:

“THINGS WHICH THE EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND THE EAR HAS NOT HEARD,
AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN,
ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” (1 Corinthians 2:9, AMP)

But do you love Him? Do you honor Him with your life, obeying His Word, seeking His face above all else? If you do, then hear this: what you have experienced of Him is only the beginning. You have tasted His grace, but the feast is still before you. You have glimpsed His glory, but the fullness remains hidden, waiting to be revealed. What God has prepared is beyond what we can fathom.

For the prophet declared long ago:

“For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear,
nor has the eye seen a God besides You,
who acts in behalf of one who waits for Him.” 
(Isaiah 64:4, NASB)

Testimony: He Called Me to Lay It Down

I thought I knew beauty. I thought I had heard music that stirred the soul. But I was wrong. I once filled my ears with the sounds of this world—songs written by men, melodies crafted for pleasure but not for glory. I thought they satisfied. But one day, God called me to lay them down. He whispered, “Come away from that which fades, and I will give you something eternal.”

It was not easy. The world had trained my heart to crave what was temporary, but in obedience, I surrendered. And then, He poured out His abundance. What God has prepared was now becoming clearer to me.

Suddenly, I heard music unlike anything I had ever known. Melodies not made by man, but flowing from the throne of God. Worship that pierced the soul, harmonies that resonated in my spirit, songs that were not just heard, but experienced. The heavens opened, and I was swept into a river of praise that had no end.

What I had forsaken was dust compared to what He gave me. I had never heard such music, and yet—it had always been waiting for me. What God has prepared for those who love Him is truly magnificent.

Testimony: The More I Surrendered, the More He Revealed

It was not just music. I once wasted my time on the fleeting things of this world—distractions, entertainment, pursuits that neither satisfied nor remained. But when I laid them down and turned my heart toward Him, He showered me with revelation.

The more time I gave Him, the more He revealed. The Scriptures became alive, His voice clearer, His presence overwhelming. It was as if a floodgate had been opened, and what had once been a trickle of understanding became a torrent of truth. Truly, what God has prepared for those who seek Him is extraordinary.

I did not see with my earthly eyes, but I knew in my spirit. This is what it means to live by faith.

The Call to Press In

“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20, NASB)

My faith was small, but my God was not. I could not see the fullness of what He was doing, but I knew. Just as Abraham believed in a promise he never fully saw on earth, just as the prophets declared things that would only come to pass generations later, I now stand in that same faith. What God has prepared for us surpasses our understanding.

There are things I have never seen with my eyes, but I know them as surely as I know my own name. Even in death, I will hold onto what He has spoken, for His promises are more real than the very air I breathe. What God has prepared for us is truly remarkable.

Have You Seen? Have You Heard?

No, not yet. But you will.

Keep your eyes fixed on Yeshua. Keep your ears tuned to His voice. Do not be distracted, do not grow weary, do not look back. The time of revealing is at hand! The Kingdom is near! The glory of the Lord is coming, and those who wait for Him will see it with their own eyes. Indeed, what God has prepared will be revealed in its due time.

Come, beloved—the best is yet to be revealed!

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Devotion to God, Faith

Day Two: God’s Call to Refocus on Him

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Beloved, God’s faithfulness is unshakable. Though the mountains crumble and the hills quake, His covenant of peace will never fail (Isaiah 54:10). Like the mountains that surround Jerusalem, El Shaddai surrounds you with His steadfast love and protection, both now and forever (Psalm 125:2). This truth reminds us that no matter the storms or uncertainties we face, the Creator of heaven and earth holds us securely in His hands, calling us to refocus on Him.

Yet, in His unfailing compassion, Yeshua calls us to a deeper walk with Him. He reminds us that our energy, our heart, and our very lives belong to Him. So often, we chase after the fleeting comforts and distractions of this world—things that will one day fade away. But He calls us higher. He calls us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33), to lay aside the weight of worldly pursuits, and to press into His presence with all our heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-6), responding to God’s call to refocus on Him.

The mountains, though mighty, stand in awe of His works (Psalm 65:8-9). How much more should we—redeemed by the blood of Yeshua HaMashiach—offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God? (Romans 12:1). This is our true worship: to love the Lord with every ounce of who we are, pursuing Him with undivided hearts, and letting Him renew our minds so we might live according to His perfect will, obedient to God’s call to refocus on Him.

Common sins often weigh us down, keeping us from fully pursuing God’s call on our lives. These include pride, greed, lust, envy, bitterness, laziness, idolatry, and unchecked anger. Even good things like comfort, entertainment, and the pursuit of material wealth can become distractions when they take priority over God. Which of these are distracting you from seeking God’s face and walking more fully in His will? Take a moment to reflect and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything in your life that needs to be surrendered to Him, so you can refocus on God’s call.

Let today be a turning point. Lay down every distraction, every sin that entangles, and every idol that has stolen your focus. Set your eyes on Him, the Author and Perfecter of your faith. When you choose to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, your heart will overflow with His light, His peace, and His purpose (Matthew 6:19-24) as you heed God’s call to refocus on Him.

God surrounds you, strengthens you, and calls you. Pursue Him. Press in. Give Him your all, and answer His call to refocus on Him.

Prayer:

Abba Father, I come to You, humbled and ready to surrender all that has taken my focus from You. Forgive me for chasing after the temporary when You are eternal. Surround me with Your steadfast love and draw me closer to Your heart. Help me to lay down every distraction and press into Your presence, seeking first Your kingdom and righteousness. Transform my mind and renew my spirit so that my life reflects Your glory. I want more of You and less of me. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

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Advent, The Pursuit

The Pursuit: A Call to Seek Him This Christmas

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13 (AMP). The pursuit of God this Christmas can bring new meaning to the holiday season.

As December 18th dawns, the nearness of Christmas reminds us of a profound truth: God has pursued us. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world not as a distant observer but as Emmanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23 AMP). Now, the call rests on us to pursue Him in return. This pursuit is the great journey of the believer’s heart—to seek the One who first sought us.

A God Who Draws Near

The pursuit of God begins with this eternal truth: He came to us first. The Gospel of John declares, “And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14 AMP).

Here, John speaks with awe of the God who did not leave us to grope in darkness but entered it Himself to bring us light. The incarnation is the ultimate act of divine pursuit, where the Creator stepped into creation to restore what was lost.

A.W. Tozer captures this beautifully: “The voice of God is a friendly voice. No one need fear to listen to it unless he has already made up his mind to resist it.” God’s pursuit of us is not harsh or demanding but tender and loving, a call to return to Him.

The Call to Seek Him

While God initiates the pursuit, Scripture repeatedly calls us to respond. “Draw near to God [with a contrite heart] and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8 AMP). This mutual pursuit reflects the intimate relationship God desires with His people. Tozer describes this paradox, writing, “To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul’s paradox of love.”

1. Seeking His Presence

David cried out, “As the deer pants [longingly] for the water brooks, so my soul pants [longingly] for You, O God” (Psalm 42:1 AMP). The pursuit of God is a deep thirst that nothing else can quench. This Christmas, amidst the lights and carols, let us not settle for hollow traditions. Instead, let us long for the living God, pressing into His presence.

2. Seeking His Kingdom

Jesus Himself instructs us, “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also” (Matthew 6:33 AMP). The pursuit of God is not merely about personal experience; it is about aligning our lives with His kingdom purposes.

3. Seeking His Word

God’s Word is a treasure for those who pursue Him. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 AMP). In this season, when schedules overflow with busyness, let us commit to seeking God through His Word, allowing it to guide our steps and renew our minds.

Christmas: A Season to Renew the Pursuit

1. Remember the Gift of Emmanuel

The birth of Christ is the ultimate declaration of God’s desire for relationship with His people. This truth should compel us to pursue Him with greater passion. Charles Spurgeon writes, “Immanuel, God with us, in our nature, in our sorrow, in our life work, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us—or rather, we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendor.”

2. Respond to His Love

Christmas reminds us that God’s pursuit of us is not passive. It is active and sacrificial. “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son” (John 3:16 AMP). As we ponder His love, let us respond by loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

3. Live in Anticipation

The pursuit of God is not just about the here and now; it is about eternity. Paul writes, “But [I actively] press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Philippians 3:12 AMP). Like Paul, we are called to press forward, longing for the day when we see Him face to face.

Practical Steps to Pursue God This Christmas

1. Pause and Pray

Carve out intentional time each day to sit in God’s presence. Prayer is not just speaking; it is listening, longing, and waiting on Him.

2. Dive into Scripture

Reflect on the promises of God’s coming. Meditate on passages like Isaiah 9:6 and Luke 2, letting the truth of His Word stir your heart.

3. Worship Wholeheartedly

Let your worship go beyond music. Let it be a lifestyle—a daily offering of gratitude and obedience to God.

4. Give and Serve

Pursuing God often means reflecting His love to others. This Christmas, seek to serve someone in need, showing the light of Christ through your actions.

The Reward of Pursuit

Jesus promises, “Ask and keep on asking, and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking, and you will find; knock and keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7 AMP). To pursue God is to find Him, and in finding Him, we discover the fullness of life.

John, the beloved disciple, puts it simply yet profoundly: “We love, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19 AMP). Our pursuit is merely a response to the love He has already lavished upon us.

Closing Prayer

Lord, You have pursued us with an everlasting love, sending Jesus Christ to dwell among us. This Christmas, we desire more of You. Stir our hearts to seek You with all our strength, that we may know You more deeply and reflect Your love more clearly. Draw us closer, and let our pursuit of You be the defining mark of our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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The Pursuit

Press In and Seek the Lord’s Presence

Beloved, there is a longing within the heart of every believer—a desire to go beyond the surface and press into the depths of God’s presence. This is not a shallow pursuit; it is a holy hunger that drives us to seek Him with all we are. Scripture calls us to this pursuit: “Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity], and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13, AMP). We must press in and seek the Lord’s presence every day.

Think of Paul and Silas, beaten and chained in a dark prison. They did not focus on their pain or despair; instead, they lifted their voices in prayer and worship. “But about midnight when Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God… suddenly there was a great earthquake, so [powerful] that the very foundations of the prison were shaken; and at once all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened” (Acts 16:25-26, AMP). When they pressed into God through prayer and worship, heaven responded. This is the power of pursuing and seeking the Lord’s presence with your whole heart—chains break, walls fall, and freedom comes.

In your own life, this same invitation stands. Go deeper in your prayers. Press further in your worship. Seek harder, not because God is far away, but because He is drawing you closer. Let your heart echo the psalmist: “As the deer pants [longingly] for the water brooks, so my soul pants [longingly] for You, O God” (Psalm 42:1, AMP). Such longing is not born of duty but of love, a recognition that apart from Him, we can do nothing. Therefore, press in and seek the Lord’s presence with dedication.

Each day brings new challenges, and with them, a deeper need for His presence. Yesterday’s touch will not sustain you today. “It is because of the Lord’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23, AMP). His faithfulness is steady, and His presence is ever-available, but He invites us to press in, to seek Him with greater urgency, for there is always more of Him to discover.

This pressing in is not about striving but about surrender. It is about letting go of distractions and setting your heart fully on Him. Prayer becomes the language of your dependence, and worship becomes the expression of your love. Together, prayer and worship create a sacred space where God moves powerfully. When we combine our petitions with praise, we are transformed. “And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18, AMP). Thus, we press in and seek the Lord’s presence.

To press in is to recognize that God is not finished with you. He is constantly calling you higher, challenging you to leave behind complacency and step into the fullness of His purpose. “I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14, AMP). This upward call is not a one-time event; it is a daily journey, one that requires perseverance and passion.

Imagine the freedom and breakthrough that come when you press into Him fully. Chains fall, fears dissolve, and the glory of God fills the space where worship rises. He does not withhold Himself from those who seek Him; rather, He delights in meeting them in their pursuit.

Prayer for Deeper Hunger and Breakthrough

Lord, we come to You with open hearts, longing to go deeper into Your presence. Teach us to press in with prayer and worship, knowing that You are faithful to respond. We desire more of You, Lord—more of Your presence, more of Your power, more of Your transforming love.

Break every chain that holds us back, every distraction that keeps us from seeking You with all our hearts. Just as You met Paul and Silas in their midnight hour, meet us in ours. Shake the foundations of our lives, open the doors we cannot open, and lead us into the freedom only You can give.

Father, let us hunger and thirst for You like never before. May our prayers and worship be the evidence of our dependence on You and our love for You. Transform us, Lord, from glory to glory, making us more like Jesus every day. Let us not be satisfied with yesterday’s touch but draw us closer, moment by moment, into the fullness of Your presence. Press in and seek the Lord’s presence continually.

We surrender to You, Lord. Take us higher. Take us deeper. Fill us until our lives overflow with Your glory. We love You, we seek You, and we press in for more of You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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The Pursuit

Seeking God’s Presence with Desperation and Hunger

“Oh, that I knew where I might find Him!” (Job 23:3, AMP). This cry of Job echoes through Scripture as a longing that stirs within the hearts of those who seek God. It is a desire that transcends time, a yearning for the very presence of the Almighty, the One who fills our souls.

As David proclaimed, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and see the face of God?” (Psalm 42:2, AMP). This is not a simple thirst, but a desperation, a hunger that only God Himself can satisfy. It is an ache, a longing that draws us to our knees in humility, pressing us to reach beyond the material and into the eternal. To those who earnestly seek, the promise is sure: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6, AMP).

The prophets spoke of days when the thirst for God would be unquenchable, not for water or bread but for hearing His word and dwelling in His presence. Amos warned of a famine, “not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine for hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8:11, AMP). In our pursuit of a deeper relationship with God, we confront this hunger, realizing that our souls crave not mere knowledge but communion with the Creator.

Isaiah understood this, declaring, “Yes, in the path of Your judgments, O Lord, we have waited expectantly for You; our soul’s desire is for Your name and for the remembrance of You” (Isaiah 26:8, AMP). This waiting is not passive; it is active, a pressing in, a commitment to seek the Lord with all our hearts, minds, and strength. It’s a pursuit that demands all of us—a consecration of our very lives to Him.

Scripture calls us again and again to draw near, to seek His face with undivided hearts. “I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4, AMP). God hears and responds to those who seek Him with humility, with repentance, and with a willingness to surrender every part of their lives. “As the deer pants [longingly] for the water brooks, so my soul pants [longingly] for You, O God” (Psalm 42:1, AMP). Let us approach Him with the same passion, the same unwavering devotion.

To deepen our relationship with God requires a heart that longs to see His glory, to witness His power, and to abide in His presence. Moses cried out, “Please, show me Your glory!” (Exodus 33:18, AMP). This desire should stir within each of us—to see God, to know Him intimately, and to be transformed in His presence.

May we echo the words of the psalmist, “I stretch out my hands to You; my soul longs for You as a parched land [thirsts for water]” (Psalm 143:6, AMP). Let us stretch beyond our own understanding, beyond our comfort, and pursue the God who satisfies, who fills, and who renews. Let our lives be marked by a relentless pursuit, a commitment to press deeper, to go further, and to lay hold of the fullness of life in Him.

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