Truth Seekers

“Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonia, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” -Acts 17:11

I think there are three aspects of the true seekers in God. There is something that followers of Jesus that set us apart from the rest.

If we say we are people of God, or children of God, who know the truth and believe the truth, and live by the truth, then we need to show a uniquely different character, a great compassion, and a deep conviction.

We are called to be the light and the salt of the Earth which is our character, we are to love even our enemies a love that is forgiving and unconditional, and a uncompromising commitment to the truth of God.

We are called to stand out in three areas, and not blend in with the rest of the world, to such an extent that we are undistinguishable.

  • Character

Our character is who we are, not what we say or do. We can say all the religious words we want and not be a true seeker of God. We can do all the “religious stuff” and yet not be godly.

It is not what is happening on the outside that makes us. It is what is on the inside that matters.

It is more than what you claim you know or believe in. It is more than how you look or sound. The Pharisees in Jesus time were very preoccupied with these.

God is more concerned about what’s on the inside, than the outside.

If we take a jar full of water with its lid, loosely put on and tilt the jar. Water begins to leak out and drips onto the floor. It’s not that the lid was not tightened or the pull of gravity. The water spilled because there was water on the inside. What was on the inside is what comes out.

It is not what goes in that defines you, it is what comes out. our character is who we are.

It’s not just what we say or what we do, although what you say and do does reflect your character but sadly it’s not always true.

Character is who we in our circumstances. It is who we are even when nobody is watching.

God is most concerned about this. Jesus came to transform our lives, not to give us a good life, although it is true that knowing Jesus does bring us blessings. But Jesus did not come for just blessings, he came to get rid of sin and changed us from being sinners to someone who can reflect his righteousness and beauty.

Don’t be too concerned about how others see you, but be concerned about how God sees you.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” -Psalm 19:14

If you take care of your character, your reputation will take care of itself.

Talent is a gift, personality is a gift, but character is a choice.

  • Great Compassion

One of the most impactful ways became shared. God‘s heart with others is to live compassionately. You show compassion is a step outside of ourselves and love another in times of weakness.

To live compassionately is to posture, your heart continually toward giving, grace, and love to those who need it the most. Compassion is at the heart of who God is.

“Love your neighbor as yourself” -Leviticus 19:18

  • Deep Conviction

Having a strong, unwavering belief in God and a commitment to living according to His will rather than based on emotion of feelings.

It’s our foundation for a life of purpose and resilience that is rooted in faith and deep understanding of God‘s character and teachings.

It’s a dedication to living a life that aligns with God‘s principles and values, even when it’s difficult or unpopular.

Deep conviction is grounded in truth and reason, not fleeting feelings or personal desires.

A strong conviction about God can bring a sense of peace and security, knowing that you are following a path that is rooted in truth.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” -Hebrews 11:1

Nervousness

What makes you nervous?

I tend to overthink everything I ruminate on the “what ifs” or worst case scenarios.

Medical experts say that the brain’s amygdala interprets these thoughts as real threats, that trigger a stress response. Which released cortisol and adrenaline , that cause physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweaty palms and reforge the nervousness.

It’s a vicious cycle of overthinking that fuels anxiety which makes you overthink more.

I have to consciously focus on things that I can control, rather than the things I can’t.

The Key To Recharging

How do you unwind after a demanding day?

The key to recharging after a long day is different for everyone.

For some it’s taking a nap, or taking a bath and even meditation.

It can even be taking a walk and doing some light exercise.

Mine is going for a walk and soaking in a hot bath.

What works for us depends on our personalities and needs. It’s about finding your balance.

Using Social Media

How do you use social media?

I use social media to talk to a few old friends from high school.

I look at local news in my area. And even a group the reports the weather. Which is crucial when living in mountainous areas.

The Power Of The Resurrection

Jesus’s resurrection proves His divinity, confirms the victory over death, and offers hope for new life, both in this world and the next.

Jesus’s resurrection highlights the transformative power if this event, impacting believers understanding of forgiveness, salvation, and their relationship with God.

Jesus’s resurrection validates Him as the Messiah, the Son of God, and the one who paid the price for humanity’s sins.

Jesus’s resurrection demonstrates that death is no longer a finality, and He has conquered the grave, offering hope for eternal life.

Jesus’s resurrection provides a new beginning, a renewed relationship with God, and a guarantee of our resurrection after physical death.

The power of the resurrection enables us to overcome sin and live according to God’s will.

It leads to a growth in holiness, both in character and in the flesh, reflecting God’s image.

Jesus’s resurrection assures that God will judge fairly and that believers serve the living Savior who intercedes for them.

We have a hope for the future: the guarantee that God can raise the dead to eternal life, providing hope for the rapture and the return of Jesus.

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God’s shofar. The dead in Messiah will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever” -1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Living In A Fallen World

“We live in a fallen world that often falls on us.”

Would you agree that everyone has troubles and there are seasons of suffering? The thing is that some people do not want to accept that.

In our current, “feel good” culture it is common to encounter people who are disenchanted with the truth of scripture, which inform us that suffering is a part of life here on earth. The Bible tells us the truth even when it is unpopular.

Most people are tired of having bad things happen. And don’t understand why God allows it, or what to do about it. If we can transfer the truths of the Bible into action steps. Learning how to have a biblical view of what i thought was unjust treatment has changed my life completely.

If we look at the Jesus and even the Apostle Paul for example, they both were persecuted and suffered rejection, harsh treatment, slander, and other injustices. They were killed despite being kind, loving, and self sacrificing. Jesus warned us in John 15:18-21 it would be so if we made it our goal to live to please Him. The suffering we endure is not unique to any of us, it’s like one voice in the symphony of creation. The entire world groans under the curse of Adam and Eve for their choices, and all creation is being subjected to the sufferings of this present time (John 15:18) and is suffering anxiousness as we await being set free from slavery from the corruption of this world.

Our trials and sufferings produce something positive in our lives. God said we will have trials and tribulations but He has overcome the world. And we have a future and a hope in knowing this (Romans 8:28-29).

The River Of Life

The “River of Life” is a vivid image found in the Bible, symbolizing God’s presence, provision, and the eternal life He offers in which God’s life-giving presence and eternal life, drawing parallels to our physical need for water and spiritual need for God’s grace and sustenance.

The “River of Life” is depicted in both Ezekiel 47:1-12 and Revelation 22:1-2.

In Ezekiel 47:1-12 Ezekiel describes a vision of a river flowing from the temple in Jerusalem. This river grows deeper as it flows, bringing life wherever it goes. It heals the land, makes the Dead Sea fresh, and causes trees to bear fruit continuously. This imagery points to God’s power to restore and sustain His creation and is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of spiritual renewal.

In Revelation 22:1-2 the “River of Life” is depicted in the New Jerusalem, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb -Jesus. It is described as “clear as crystal,” with the Tree of Life growing on its banks, producing fruit each month and leaves for the healing of the nations. This scene represents the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan of eternal life, peace, and restoration in His presence.

The “River of Life” is generally understood as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, God’s grace, or the life-giving nature of Jesus. Jesus Himself speaks of offering “living water” in John 4:10-14 and John 7:38 connecting the concept to faith in Him.

I believe the River of Life can represent the transformative power of God’s grace, which leads to a life filled with abundance and purpose.

The First Thing That Comes To Mind

Jot down the first thing that comes to your mind.

Today is Holy Saturday. The day before Jesus was resurrected. I was thinking of the profound stillness and expectation the people felt who knew Jesus.

Today is a quiet day of mourning and reflection for many.

The some people light a Paschal candle as a reminder that Jesus is the light of the world.

“May the light of Jesus, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.”

The Linen Cloth That Covered Jesus’s Face

Was there any significance to why Jesus’s face covering was folded in the tomb?

John 20:7 tells us,

“And the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrapping but rolled up in a place by itself.”

The cloth was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that head cloth was neatly folded, and was neatly rolled at the head of that stony coffin.

In order to understand the folded cloth, we need to understand a little bit about the Hebrew tradition of that day.

A folded cloth napkin had to do with the master and the servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table until the master was finished. If the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, and his mouth, clean his beard, and would wad up the cloth and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. In those days, the wadded-up napkin meant, “I’m done.”

But if the master got up from the table, folded the cloth napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table because the servant knew the folded napkin meant, “I’m not finished yet.” Tjr folded cloth napkin meant, “I’m coming back!”

He (the master, Jesus) is coming back. Hallelujah!

Dressed In God’s Armor

In Ephesians 6:10-18 the Apostle Paul lays out a vivid metaphor for standing firm against evil in a fallen world. The Armor of God is not about any physical gear but spiritual readiness with tools to face Satan’s schemes and sins pull on us. Each piece of gear ties into Jesus’s victory over sin, and can equip us to live among the thick of life battles.

I have laid out each piece of armor and what it is for in a tangible way to understand.

  • The Belt of Truth:

It is about anchoring yourself in what is real -Jesus as the way and the truth so deception doesn’t trip you up.

  • The Breastplate of Righteousness:

This guards your core, reflecting the righteousness. Jesus won, it’s not about shaky things of our environments or the company we keep. Focusing on our righteousness we have through God can get us through.

  • Feet Fitted With the Gospel of Peace:

This keeps us steady, sharing the foundation of the good news of Jesus instead of reconciling with the chaos in the world.

  • The Shield of Faith:

This blocks those flaming arrows of doubt, fear, and temptation, because trusting in Jesus’s win holds a the line.

  • The Helmet of Salvation:

This protects our mind, locking in the assurance that sin and death don’t get the last word. Jesus does.

  • The Sword of the Spirit:

The Word of God is our offense. Scripture slices through the lies of this world just as it did for Jesus in the wilderness in Luke.

Ephesians 6 tells us to stand repeatedly and hold our ground, to not charge ahead recklessly, because the victory is already God’s, not ours to win. Satan is still prowling around like a lion but the armor’s about resilience, not invincibility. It’s a mindset to wake up to, to put on through prayer and focus, and to face the mess of the world knowing that God has everything covered. He’s Got our back!

Encounters With Strangers

Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.

Positive encounters with strangers can reinforce faith and hope, especially when we are obedient to God.

When we have faith and hope for miracles they can orchestrate moments where the universe aligns to remind us of something greater than ourselves. These encounters can reflect God’s presence and renew trust in His plan.

A stranger’s kindness can reward quiet obedience to a nudge of faith.

A simple pay it forward for someone’s cup of coffee can give someone a positive outlook on their day. Obeying a gut feeling can feel like God is working through you to affirm His guidance.

Encounters that seem too perfect for chance can bolster our faith whether it’s meeting a stranger that shares a story of overcoming similar pain.

Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some have entertained angels.”

We might encounter something that restores hope by showing God’s hand in human kindness when we least expect it. Whether faith or obedience it can unlock miracles or become testaments to the goodness of God.

Dying Easter Eggs

Dying Easter eggs is an example of us when we are baptized.

The egg represents new life and resurrection as baptism signifies spiritual renewal and cleansing. The act of dying eggs can reflect transformation Mary, how baptism marks a chain in one spiritual identity.

Historically, eggs were often died red in some cultures to symbolize Jesus’s blood and sacrifice, tying to the themes of death and rebirth which are central to both Easter and baptism.