Getting Serious about God

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.”
Jeremiah 29:12–14
There are many resources and teachings available for Christians on the subjects of growing in grace and becoming closer to God. I’m thankful for all the ones that are faithful to the Bible and encourage good habits and correct doctrine. But in truth this is not a difficult subject to understand—the difficulty is in the execution, not the education. The bottom line of our Christian life is determined by the condition of our heart. If the heart is not fixed on God, other things will intervene to draw us away from Him.
A. W. Tozer said, “Come near to the holy men and women of the past, and you will soon feel the heat of their desire after God. They mourned for Him, they prayed and wrestled and sought for Him day and night, in season and out; and when they had found Him, the finding was all the sweeter for the long seeking…Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth.”
We do not have to rely on our own strength to fix our hearts on God. He enables and equips us to seek Him as He commands. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26).

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Seeking to follow God partially is doomed to failure—nothing less than total commitment will do.

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“… give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” --Luke 6:38 America is recognized the world over for the productivity of its labor force. But the economic crisis of recent years… and that continues today… is a powerful reminder that not even great productivity can ensure national or personal wealth. How long will it take us to learn that money doesn’t deliver on its promises? Earthly treasures collapse! That’s why Jesus warned us saying, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth.” It’s because he knew that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). So if you want to have a heart for God, then put your treasure in him… give to the Kingdom. This is only way to secure your future in this life. “Give and it will be given to you” – this is God’s promise to you. And when you make his kingdom your priority, you’ll be amazed at how Jesus satisfies the longings of your soul. You’ll understand that your identity is not in money and possessions… your self-worth is not tied to your net worth. Your security and worth is in Christ and Christ alone! Take time to reevaluate where you are financially and spiritually. And remember: Earthly treasures disappear, but the Kingdom of God is eternal!   “GIVE AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU” – THIS IS GOD’S PROMISE TO YOU.