The Seeking Heart

Posted on 23. Feb, 2010 by admin in Covenant Moment

During my recent travels I had a layover at London Heathrow Airport. The layover was just long enough to be too long. I spent much of my time in the “inter-faith” chapel.

Airports usually have a chapel of some sort tucked off the beaten path and they are a refuge to the hustle and bustle of the terminals. Additionally, they provide the opportunity to live out one of my own devotions written some time ago about praising God in every place your foot treads.The chapel was truly inter-faith with religious texts from all over the world, prayer shawls, a pulpit, about 15 chairs and a table or two. The table near the front was dedicated to the Christian faith while the one by the door seemed to be a faith catch-all. Along a windowed wall was a sign with an arrow “Makkah Quirb”, or something like that. I sat in a chair and began praying and reading scripture and noticed that no one was coming in our out … I had the place to myself. This was both comforting but alarming. Is there no one else in this massive international hub that enters the chapel?
After some time reading, journaling and praying I began to listen to worship songs on my iPod. This is when another traveler came in and began his daily prayers facing the window. He prayed for some time and left. You know, I felt no evil spirit, no demonic attack. It was just another human being attempting to get in touch with a great God.  Do I believe the man was searching and seeking? Yes. Do I believe God is revealing and pursuing? Yes. This is the dance of life. We finite beings attempt to know a infinite God. I hope He finds truth in Jesus!

Truth for Seekers

I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
~ Proverbs 8:17 ~

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
~ Matthew 5:6 ~

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
~ Jeremiah 29:12-13 ~

From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

~ Acts 17:26-27 ~

Understanding the Journey

At many points in my journey I was like the traveler in the airport … seeking and attempting to reach a massive God but unsure of the way. The funny thing is, each time I participated in a religion I “thought” it was the way. That is why I was following that religion. This is the story of man. We follow systems and structures set by man to reach God.

My journey to reach Christ was long and hard. He was, and is, the Pearl of Great Price! I searched high and low, through eastern religions, new age, Native American and a mixture of all. It all left me dry. Yes, there were truths in each system but those truths are first biblical truths. In fact, any truth that is a universal truth can be found as a Biblical truth.

My journey eventually landed on “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6), Jesus Christ. Still, my journey was just that … a journey. As we travel along our appointed journey it is my prayer that we might be the witnesses God desires as He pulls people through their journey to an awareness of His love and grace.

The practical application of this devotion is to love as God loves … unconditionally and until the end. Never give up on people. Yes, we need religious structure to help us in our walk and in the movement. Still, we must realize that God is the one with the plan to “seek and save” the lost. It is our task to represent Him to the seeking heart.

Remember, Jesus died to show us His love but He also died to establish a movement … His church. May we never put our “church” or religion ahead of His fame, reputation or desires. It is Christ that came to seek and save the lost and that includes weary travelers, lonely children, seeking hearts and demon-filled zealots.

For King and Kingdom,

Randy Martin

A Covenant Moment ~ Transitions

Posted on 07. Jan, 2010 by admin in Covenant Moment

Covenant Community Services

Month Year

Transitions …

Navigating Life with God

Dear Jill,

Happy New Year!

This year, in fact this decade, is only five days old but so much has already happened. It is a season of transition. Covenant has been approached by a “national” ministry to partner or merge. Zach, our son, chose to attend Azusa Pacific University just yesterday; and, the Tanzanian foster care project has started and we are only “5″ days into the year …Transitions!

The Merriam Webster Dictionary describes transition as: “passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another”. Transitions happen in families, in relationships, at work or school, and in our personal lives. Spiritually, transitions occur when God moves us from one “level” or position to another.

Transitions are an important part of the life cycle. Transitions are different than change. Transitions move us forward and along God’s path or plan for our lives. Change can move us along God’s plan but change can also distract us from God’s plan. A young boy transitions over time into a man. Immediate change from boyhood to manhood doesn’t happen. We crawl, we walk, we run … we transition … this is life.

Jesus baptized, filled, tempted … tried, tested and triumphant!

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”  12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, 13 and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

~ Mark 1:9-1

Allowing God to Guide the Transitions

God is the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). As such, God is the author and finisher of our transitions. As the “author” we should be checking in with Him for the story, the plot, the characters and wisdom in the transition. Remember, we are transformed people continually in the process of transition. 2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us that as followers of God it is part of the life plan to be “transitioned” into His likeness.

In Mark 1, Jesus transitions from “Jesus of Nazareth” to Jesus the Son of God, filled with God’s Spirit and tempted by Satan. Jesus moved from one state, place or positon to another. Jesus did not change but He did transition. He was always God’s Son but the transition completed the plan.

What is God’s plan for you this week? This month? This year? This decade? Where will God take you as part of His plan for your life? What transitions will you go through? If you are like me you can see some of the areas of transition that await yet others remain uncertain. Don’t worry … this is normal. This is why life is a life of faith. We don’t live by sight but by faith. Still, our encouragement is great for ”the one who calls you is faithful and he will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

This year, don’t fret or worry about transitions. Enjoy them! God is changing you through the process and molding you into His image and likeness. The transition is your gateway to a brighter future touched by God’s grace, power and peace. Your role is to seek God’s wisdom in the transitions and execute as He instructs. Don’t get stuck in a rut or rot but move forward! Walk in your destiny as you make the passages of life through Jesus!

04

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