Seek Ye First

Posted on by James Lindquist

With Jesus as understood, a personal hero of mine Trey Gowdy [1], spoke at a Texas church a few days before the Fourth of July 2020. His message touched my heart and was the best message I had ever heard from any pulpit, anywhere. His closing was simple, but profound. He spoke of the Declaration of Independence namely, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

During the Pursuit of happiness section, he told the congregation of meeting two nuns at the airport. After talking with them, he deduced that they did not have much but they were the most content and joyful people he had ever met and were living out a verse in the Bible.

v33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [Matthew 6:33 KJV]

“…all these things shall be added unto you.” This was a powerful message. If it does not bring tears to your eyes, check your pulse. 😊 I expected nothing less from Trey, and I was not disappointed. He suggested we read the Beatitudes [2]. “Blessed… Are.” Like Trey, I was ashamed of how few of them I could check off. I encourage you to read them as well. I guarantee you; you will all be emotionally hit by his message. If ever there was a message for today, this is the one. If it is even possible, I have a new respect for the man. I knew he was a believer, but preach? (I will post a link below to the churches Youtube channel. I encourage you to watch it for a huge blessing.)

Lord, in these trying times, help us to paint the picture of the rest of our lives. Help us to identify the name of our prison. We are tired of living there. We rely on you Lord to guide us away from the spirit of familiarity. And like Red in the Shawshank Redemption, help us to function once we are outside the gate of our prison. We have lost our way Lord and need your guidance back into your plans for our lives. I pray not only for the leaders of our land but for all leaders of the world, at every level that they will legislate morality and common sense. Lord, we thank you for this wonderful gift of America. Please forgive us for mistreating that gift in these last days. Father, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In the precious name of your son, Jesus, AMEN.

The Son will set you free. [3]
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[1] Search on YouTube < Special guest speaker | former U.S. Congressman Trey Gowdy >
[2] Matthew 5:3-12
[3] John 8:36

Good morning Lord

Posted on by James Lindquist

I confessed earlier that given the amount of years I’ve been a Christian, I had a lousy prayer life. For one, I didn’t know how to pray. However, I have learned a great Revelation lately, from an evangelist, and I now know how to pray. I must now work on the practical application of that knowledge. (Lol)

Brothers and sisters, the purpose of prayer, is to fulfill the purposes (will) of God in the earth. We do not have creative power, only God. We have cultivating power. Prayer is not used to bend God to our will and persuade him to do something He does not want to do, and is NOT in his will to do.

No, brothers and sisters, prayer is praying GOD’S WILL (His Word), NOT OUR WILL and what we want, but what God wants.Prayer is a fixed river. I want to be in the river of God’s will. The Scripture for today is John 15:7,

“⁷But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!”

How many of us have taken this verse out of its context and prayed part two of this verse, ONLY; “… ask anything you want and it will be granted.”

Context is everything in the Bible. We need to align ourselves with His Word, which IS HIS WILL. Alignment accesses authority. Four more Scriptures to tag with John 15:7 where we learn how to remain in Him and He in us?

1 John 3:24;

The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

1 John 3:22

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Lord, jesus, I hunger for you. Change me O Lord. Search me O Lord and see if there be any wicked way in me. Bend me to your will. I want to be in the river of your will. Help me to do only what is pleasing in your sight. You have free reign in my heart Lord. Every room in my heart, I give to you Lord, to have your way in me. Abide in me always Lord, thank you for never leaving me or forsaking me. Lord, I delight myself in you. You Lord, are the desire of my heart. Help me to do your commandments. I’m nothing without you Lord. I come to you with a thankful and open heart. Lord, I need you and love you. In Your precious name, I pray and acknowledge you as my Lord and Savior and king and husband and lover of my soul. AMEN and AMEN.