Testimonies of People Who Have Seen Jesus

Today I would like to share with you some testimonies of people who claim to have seen Jesus in person, whether by dream or by vision or an out of body experience. I may also include one of two that have heard His voice. Here they are:

@isabelpulley9660

1 year ago

We were on a youth trip, and five of us saw Jesus standing next to the Christus statue in the welcome center. He was around six feet tall, wore white robes, and looked incredibly similar to Akiane’s Prince Of Peace painting (pictured left).

 

It was an experience I’ll never forget

Note:  The Christus statue, officially titled Christus Consolator, is a white marble sculpture of Christ by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. The statue depicts Christ with outstretched arms, as if inviting people to come to him.

@shintobinsuk8107

1 year ago

When I was in church during worship (Feb- March 2023), I had seen a king sitting on a throne surrounded by clouds...I felt goosebumps, and I started crying and smiling at the same time remembering his care. My heart got overwhelmed with gratitude.  

@BonnieMunz

3 weeks ago

In 1969, when I was 17 years old, I had just come to believe in Jesus. He came to me. I was alone in church, praying as I stood in front of a wooden cross. I lifted my eyes to see Jesus' feet right there in front of me, on the cross. I looked up to see His wonderful face. He lifted His head to look at me, with the most perfect love flowing from His eyes into mine. His message to me was, "I did this for you."

@LadyoftheLord

1 year ago

In 2019 Jesus saved me by appearing to me in a vision during the day when I was visiting my mom. All he said to me was "I'm coming!" Sternly. That's the first time I felt fear of the Lord, and it changed me forever. 

@michaelcastillo2599

10 months ago

I saw Jesus right before I got diagnosed with childhood cancer when I was 3 years old. He told me everything was going to be okay. 

I relapsed when I was 5 years old. 

[Later,] I was in the hospital when I saw Jesus again sitting on a chair in my room when I was 7 years old. The next day I was cancer free. I’m 35 now.

@StuStevens-rn7rb

1 year ago

On one trip to Heaven God took me on....I was on a path walking in one direction and Jesus approached me from the other direction. All I could do was to focus on His eyes. They were like liquid pools of LOVE, which quickly had me on the ground prostrate before Him in sheer adoration and awe.

@Galilea-2000

9 days ago

When I was 3 years old, I had a dream of Jesus with his cuts and bruises and even the crown of thorns. He told me that he was going to take my mother with him very soon. I cried in his arms and told him I needed her. Then I remember him saying something about me having something in the future. Then we played for a while, and I woke up crying and my mother next to me. I told her my dream and said "I saw a man and he had black marker in both of his hands, Mommy". Now I have type 1 diabetes, but I am so thankful my mom is still with me now, and I am so thankful for her being by my side.

@quintinaabbott8432

4 months ago

I've seen Jesus three times, but the most powerful [time] was in that dream [in which] I was at my church standing on the other side of the door that leads from the sanctuary to the hall and bathroom. While I was standing there, I heard in my spirit "Jesus is Coming!" 

I immediately leaned forward and looked left down the hall towards my pastor's office, and immediately a bright bright light shot out from her office; and all of a sudden Jesus started walking out of her office. He was in his glorified body glowing. 

As He walked out He was looking back talking to someone in the office and as He turned to start walking out the door the front of His body was facing me as I was looking down the hall towards Him. The robe He had on was made out of millions and millions of diamonds. The diamonds were glistening because of the glory that was illuminating from his body. From his chest on up to his face it was glowing like the sun. I then woke up, it was magnificent. I pray I have another encounter with Him.

@waitinginthepipeline

11 months ago

I was driving in London England where I live. I stopped to let a gentleman cross the road. He sort of put his hand up to say thanks without looking at me.

[Then] halfway across [the street], he stops, turns, waves, and looks right at me with a beautiful smile that I felt in my Soul. He looked exactly like the images of Jesus. As I drove away, I thought, "Was that Jesus?" I am now convinced that it was, as even [while] writing this I feel a stirring in my soul. Amen and peace to all.

@cissymckinley3154

1 year ago

I am 61. When I was a child of 10 [years old] or younger, I just kept saying I wanted to see Jesus. I was in my bedroom, my older sister asleep next to me. I looked straight forward and there stood Jesus. But he looked somewhat taller, due to the light coming in through the window, I didn't get a good look at his face. But you could tell he had dark hair, and a mustache with a beard. He wore an eggshell-colored gown with some type of rope around his waist. He was also wearing a long robe (same color as the gown). I just stared at him. I got scared not knowing what to say. I pulled the covers over my head. When I lifted my head up he was gone. This took years before I told anyone. People act like they believe me, but I don't think so. I've told my story A couple of times online, but it didn't go well. I really don't care but , I know this to be my truth.  GOD BLESS ALL.

@joanne_beutler

1 year ago

I saw Jesus 2015 in the sky. Words will never explain what I felt, but I felt things like love, forgiveness, hope and a warmth all around my heart area.

@JacobAllen_Music

1 year ago (edited)

Once my grandma had to go to the hospital, and she wasn't doing well there. A few minutes [later], she had passed. Everybody there got around the hospital bed and started crying. They thought she wouldn't come back. But the next minute, she awoke from the hospital bed and said she met God and she could see everyone crying around the hospital bed, and that Jesus was willing to bring her back to her family.

@cali7150

1 year ago

My physical experience with Jesus was when I was about 7 or 8. He came into my room, placed my head on His lap, and [as He was] caressing my head, I could see [in the spirit] His robe in me, His sandals and His light. I never saw His face, but the love coming out of Him as never ending waves of light. I had the lights off, and was in complete sleep when this happened, [but] awoke in the spirit in an instant. I have never and will never forget. It becomes an imprint in the soul.

@elizeviktoria

1 year ago

The only reason my dad became saved during the Soviet Union [era], was because Jesus appeared to him in the mirror. My dad KNEW who He was, even though no one had ever told him about Jesus before. He was a hardcore alcoholic, almost drinking himself to death. Jesus said my father's name and asked him "What are you doing with your life?". He repented and became radically saved.

@marthamoloi.hissoldier

1 year ago

The first time I saw Christ was in a dream where satan was trying to harm/intimidate me and my granny, and Christ appeared next to us, stretched out his hand and and blew his breath into the devils face and the devil disappeared. Christ looked at us and smiled. When I woke up in the morning I was led to the scripture 2 Thessalonians 2:8: "And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming." I will never forget that dream. Christ is real.

In the following video, a woman shares how she died and saw Jesus. Her testimony is in the first 5 minutes of the video:

@Eyeswideopen251

1 year ago (edited)

Amen. He spoke to me once. I had a bad fall from a cliff and broke my neck and lots other bones. I was alone because the only person there had gone several miles away for help. When I lay there, I asked God, "Is this where I  die?" and a voice so clearly said to me, "Don't worry,  everything will be OK." In that instant all pain, fear and worry left me, and soon after I was ok. True story!

@bradross5480

3 weeks ago

Jesus appeared to me in the clouds after my twin brother was murdered. We couldn't find him and I knew he was gone but my father could not bring himself to believe that. Then Jesus appeared and let

me know so graciously that Al was with Him. While He was there, a rush of energy came through me and took all the anger I had for the man that I thought killed him away! Thank you Yeshua and Almighty God!!!

@lalalisa9307

3 weeks ago (edited)

I also had a profound experience. I...bought some anointing oil for a close friend who is dying of cancer. After anointing him later that night, Jesus pulled back the veil, and I saw God‘s light. It was only for a few seconds. All I can describe [it] as is like being inside of a diamond, and as I started to look upwards I realized that I would disintegrate or die because I wasn’t good enough to look, so I turned my head. I remember feeling nothing but peace through my entire being, and I also felt like a younger version of myself. I didn’t feel any wrinkles on my face, and I have been madly in love with God ever since. It’s such an intense love that it overwhelms me, and it sometimes it’s hard for me to take it.

2 weeks ago

I’ve seen Jesus as well. I was in a state of twilight sleep on my couch. Not really asleep but not fully awake. He came to me while I was still grieving my Mom being gone and right before the insanity of 2020. He walked straight up to me and wrapped me up in his arms and without actually speaking told me [said], "It’s going to be ok. Be strong in me." When he let go, I immediately jumped off the couch and my entire being was literally vibrating with joy as I danced around knowing how much He truly loves me, and solidifying my Faith even more! Jesus is for real!

@vaniza0425

8 years ago

Thank You for sharing your testimony! He is Pure! I saw him too, in 2004. When I hit my head on the pavement without a helmet when I was riding a scooter-motorcycle. I never remember falling and hitting my head. 

Instantly I was with Him. He was looking at me. Every time I looked at Him, I fell to my knees. He knew exactly what I was thinking. I saw myself wearing white, but He was lights of gold. He was coming out of the Sun with rays. Each ray beaming said words like this: love, care, kindness, children, innocent, live, laugh, help, all mighty, Alpha and Omega, I am the Son of Man. The rays came out rolling as spirals right to my eyes. I would get up and fall once again. I didn't want to leave. He was light Pure light. Pure Love. 

He told me to look to the left . He said look who is praying for you. I saw my husband praying and crying. He returned me back to earth. I woke up in the hospital with burn marks, and my arms and legs were all burned due to the gasoline of my scooter spilling in my arms and legs [and] burning [them]. I had street marks that pulled my skin off my arms. 

I wasn't hurting about the pain. My pain was in my heart, because I wanted to be with Jesus and his throne was infinite. May the Lord Bless you! He is calling his sheep! 

One more thing the day before the accident I remember praying to the Lord saying I want to be changed. I want to see you. I [sure] did [see Him] alright! It was the most life changing experience in my life. I haven't been the same since. 

@Hiswillbedone2

1 year ago (edited)

I’ve seen the Lord a short time after I became a Christian. I was about junior- high-school age. He stayed with me for a long time. He has a great sense of humor and He made me laugh.

In the following video, a woman tells about her experience seeing Jesus while watching the movie called The Passion of the Christ. 

@ucong79

9 years ago

I had a dream. I was in my bed and woke up where it was really bright. Then I heard a voice saying, "I will help you". I was confused at first, but then a hand reached out at me. Then I woke up in my real bed. Then I realized the hand in front of me was God. This is true. God bless everyone.

@denisegrandma-m7g

3 weeks ago

I was at a very desperate point in my life. I was feeling trapped, unhappy, angry, and just wanted to  leave. I went outside on a day where the sky was blue with clouds. I cried and yelled at the sky. Are

you there? Why is all of this happening to me? I can't take it anymore. Please let me know what to do.

Slowly a large area of clouds opened in the sky forming a circle. Inside the circle was the face of Jesus. I saw it. I was in shock. I turned away, then back again. It was there. I didn't want to blink. I felt relieved, yet was ashamed at the same time. I stood looking up and cried. Then slowly the circle closed.  God is real. Jesus is real.

When you lose someone, or when someone is in serious trouble, who do you turn to?  

@catmat3686

1 year ago

I had a vision when I was 9 or 10 of seeing Jesus and Mary. I saw them as I walked down the dark hallway to my mom’s room. Their faces glowed in the darkness. I can’t remember what they said. 

@MysticMeadowsSanctuary

2 weeks ago

I saw him too in 2003 at a church in Central Phoenix. He handed me the host [communion bread], and the blood in the chalice looked like real blood. When I saw the blood in the chalice, I looked back at him, and he smiled at me. His message to me that day was "Remember me, not that I left, but that I am right here with you". He was no longer the Lamb that had been slain, but [had] the eyes of a Mighty Warrior, but with the most incredible eyes. I'll never forget.

@narcoholic22

2 weeks ago

I had a dream during one of my lowest points. I was in a narcissistic abusive relationship for years. He gaslighted me for years at that point and I was confused, insecure, depressed, panicked ALL THE TIME

from the psychological trauma. I lost my identity to this person. I was an empty shell of who I used to be. One night I had this dream that I was standing in a room at night. Jesus in a white robe was there. I was not afraid but sad. He stood in front of me. He embraced me with the most loving hug. I felt so loved and warm & safe like never before. I woke up and still felt HIM with me. I have not shaken off the feeling HE gave me. 

I honestly feel as though he really came to me in my desperation that night. I feel undeserving of His love but He made me feel I was loved & special. I never felt insecure about my worth after that dream. Years later I found a painting of Jesus in a white robe hugging a girl with olive skin & brown hair. It

was my dream [depicted] in a painting! It was me! It’s a well known painting, I [later] found out. I bought  it and it hangs in my home to remind me of the night Jesus came to show me I was loved.

@melanied4944

3 weeks ago (edited)

I saw Jesus during emergency surgery after childbirth. Nurses were all around me, as they battled to stop me from bleeding to death. At my head/eye-level he was there. I have never seen eyes like them. They were a clear blue [like] I had never seen before, so beautiful, and he was whispering [that] I was going to be ok. It was him. I felt his warm presence

@braxtonbearden613

7 years ago

When I was nine years old I was in church and I felt this pull in the pit of my heart. At the time I had no clue at all what it was. My mom explained to me it was the Holy Spirit. [but] that day I didn't accept Christ. The next Sunday pulled around, and again I felt that same pull in my heart. It felt almost like a flame, but it didn't hurt. It was a calming flame. 

So that day I walked up to the altar and my pastor at that time laid hands on me. I asked Christ to be a part of my life. I asked him to forgive me of my sins. I told God that I believed in Jesus's resurrection. When I was done praying this flood of joy and this flame filled my whole body.  

@debbiehurley293

2 weeks ago

When I was about 6 years old, I remember going with my mother to a tent revival. We didn't have ac back then, so we slept with our windows up. That night, the moon was full and bright. As I laid in bed looking up at the moon, I saw Jesus. He was beautiful. To this day, I never forgot that night. Another time when I was 20 years old, I was studying the bible prophecies. I was woken up during the night and the room was filled with a bright light. A voice said to me, "No matter where you go or what you do, always keep your eyes on Jesus."

@SKMac5176

3 weeks ago (edited)

When I was 24 years of age, I was struggling mightily with some very deep moral & spiritual issues in my life. After much anguish & prayer, I laid down on my brother's bed, where I continued to pray and ask for guidance from the Lord. Suddenly, as I was looking at the ceiling Jesus' face appeared before me. He had the most Beautiful, Gentle, & kind features I'd ever seen. He said nothing, but reached out and touched my left cheek with overwhelming LOVE in His eyes. I came away much healed, feeling great Peace regarding my upcoming decision.

@carolmartin2503

1 year ago

As I was planning to destroy my life I looked out at the stars and said. "If there's a God, He better let me know because I'm all done."   I rolled over and there was Jesus in my room  on that cross. I knew He did it for me to pay for the many sins I'd done, and I screamed. "NO" [meaning] "Don't do that for me! I'm not worth it!!!" And He said, "I LOVE YOU" and died.  

I now live for Him and know I'll spend eternity with Him in His Home!!! Thank you, Jesus!

@chessc.3407

1 year ago

I saw him in my bedroom. I was wide awake and He didn’t speak to me, but I saw him. Almost like I was watching a movie of his crucifixion as a projection on my room. I have no TV in my room. That night I went on my knees and repented and finally believed and accepted Jesus into my life.

@TheMrshefner

7 years ago

I know you seen him just by the way you described his Love. I had a dream of him one time and I remember his eyes almost glowed a teal like color and the love I felt from him reached into the pit of my stomach and was like a euphoric love that can't be described. Like no drug in this world could put you so high as his love. Literally I can't to this day describe it but it is the most magnificent feeling and I have never felt that feeling sense. It's so pure and amazing.

@carolroblyer3629

7 days ago

I recently met Jesus in a dream. I was in a mild depression, and I went to sleep listening to worship songs. He appeared in my dream and just spent time with me. I got to see His face and experience His personality -- loving, peaceful but also fun. 

Another time I fell asleep crying after being horribly, emotionally bullied. I sensed arms holding me while I slept, and I knew it was Him. 

But the first time I experienced the love of God was years earlier. Feeling like giving up after years of heavy depression, I asked the Lord to take me home, because I was done. Instead He healed me in an instant with a powerful surge of love that overwhelmed me. That's when I knew God was real and that He loved me. There is nothing that can describe that power. It was shocking, like nothing in this world. And felt amazing.

@levelwithme609

1 year ago

Jesus showed up when I was drowning in a reservoir, and when I asked, "IS THIS HOW I'M GONNA DIE?", He wrapped His arms around me and answered, "NO, THIS IS NOT HOW YOU'RE GONNA DIE." He taught me that I can TRUST HIM NO MATTER WHAT instead.

@AiditaRoman-ef2lz

11 months ago

I saw Jesus in a dream, I didn’t believe in him before but he just hugged me and I felt myself filled with unmeasurable love, then he held me at arms length and just looked at me without a word and all I could think was how beautiful he was, more than words can describe so I know exactly what she means! Every time I feel sad I just remember his love and I feel good again! Amen.

@ylvany1

11 months ago

When I was about 10 years old, I had a dream where I was in a major car accident. Immediately I was in the throne room of God and although I couldn't see His face, I KNEW I was standing in the presence of the Most High God! I could sense hundreds of people around me and everyone was in high worship and it was the most beautiful music I'd ever heard; and instantly I fell on my knees in worship! It was the most amazing feeling I've ever experienced, and to this day have yet to experience that level of worship. It was like every cell in my body was vibrating at the highest frequency available and I just KNEW that THIS is what we were created for: to worship the one true God! Everything we search for and get involved with, all trying to fill this void that can ONLY be filled by the living God! That experience has NEVER left me, I mean it feels like it just happened yesterday and that was 35 years ago!

Closing Words

I hope these testimonies have built your faith and given you a hunger for God.

Attribution notice: The image of Akiane's Prince of Peace painting of Jesus is subject to copyright, used  here per the Fair Use Act for educational and commentary purposes only.

Author's note:  If you enjoyed this post, you may also like The Revelation of Love, and the other posts available through the links on the Home page. I also have an entire blog about people's experiences visiting heaven and hell, which is call Eternal Destinations, as well as another blog called Testimonies from Eastern Europe with many amazing testimonies of people who have encountered Jesus, seen angels, and experienced miracles. You may also access my complete blog directory at Writing for the Master.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Him.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe. 

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

______________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Hide and Seek with God

Probably every one of us has played the game of hide and seek when we were children, where one person or a group of people hide and then another person tries to find them. While that is just a game, there is a reality version of hide and seek that I want to discuss, which is played out in real life every day.

Adam and Eve
Ever since the day that Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, God and man have been doing this exchange of hide and seek. Before the fall, Adam and Eve enjoyed sweet fellowship with God in the garden. They were also naked and unashamed. But once they disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit, then came the need to cover up and hide themselves.

"Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden." (Gen 3:7-8)

The first thing they did was to cover their nakedness and the second thing was to hide themselves from the Lord's presence. It was human nature for them to do that, but God already knew what they had done. He was aware of their sin and disobedience. He saw their nakedness and shame, and although they tried to hide from Him, He sought them out. He came into the garden looking for them. 

"Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, 'Where are you?' He said, 'I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.'" (Gen 3:9-10).

Notice that Adam was afraid when he heard the sound of the Lord coming, because he was naked, and that is why he hid himself. He felt ashamed. But the Lord asked him who told him he was naked. The Lord used questions to help Adam see the connection between his sin and his sense of shame. 

"And He said, 'Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?'" (Gen 3:11).

There is always a direct correlation between sin and shame, and the tendency is always for man to run from God and hide, as if He doesn't know about it. 

The Nation of Israel

When the nation of Israel fell away from the Lord into sin, it seemed to them as if God had hidden Himself from them. But the Lord called them to seek Him.

"Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon." (Isa 55:6-7)

There are many such admonitions in Scripture, whereby the Lord calls upon men to seek Him no matter what they have done, and turn from their wicked ways, so that they may find Him.

"But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice. For the LORD your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them." (Deu 4:29-31)

"'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. '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 search for Me with all your heart. 'I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.'" (Jer 29:11-14)

"And if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2Ch 7:14)

The Righteous Seek Him

It is not only the wicked who need to seek the Lord, but the righteous, too. It's a joy for them to seek Him continually.

"Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad. Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually." (1Ch 16:10-11; cf. Psa 105:3-4)

The righteous devote their heart and soul to seeking the Lord.

"Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise, therefore, and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy vessels of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the LORD." (1Ch 22:19)

The psalmist sought the Lord with all his heart that he would not disobey Him. "I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands." (Ps 119:10, NIV)

David said, "O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water." (Psa 63:1).

David also said, "My heart says of you, 'Seek his face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek." (Ps 27:8, NIV). He had the desire in his heart to seek the Lord's face and he determined that he was going to do it. In fact, seeking the Lord is what David wanted to do all the days of his life. He said, "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple." (Ps 27:4, NIV).

I believe that this last verse speaks not only of seeking the Lord in His temple here on earth, but also throughout eternity in His holy temple in heaven. For David spoke of gazing on the beauty of the Lord there. I believe the righteous will enjoy seeking the Lord and gazing upon His beauty forever and ever.

Promises to Those Who Seek Him

In addition to the promises I have already mentioned, the Lord has given many other promises to those who seek Him.

He promises never to forsake those who seek Him. "And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You." (Psa 9:10)

He promises that those who seek Him will lack no good thing. "The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing." (Psa 34:10)

He promises to be good to them. "The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him." (Lam 3:25)

Blessings are promised to them. "Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart— they do no wrong but follow his ways." (Ps 119:2-3, NIV).

He promises to draw near to us as we draw near Him. "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (Jas 4:8)

He promises to reward those who diligently seek Him, and anyone who seeks the Lord must have faith that He will do so. For the apostle wrote: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." (Heb 11:6, NIV)

God Hides Himself
One reason we need to seek the Lord is that He hides Himself. The prophet Isaiah said, "Truly, You are a God who hides Himself, O God of Israel, Savior!" (Is 45:15). Why does He do so?

God Wants All Men to Seek Him

It's God's desire that all men would seek Him, and that's why He created them and caused them to be born in the places where they were born at the exact times they were born.

"The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God." (Ps 14:2, NIV)

"From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us." (Ac 17:26-27, NIV).

This passage tells us that while God wants all men to seek Him, He is actually not far from any one of us.

The Kingdom of God is Like Hidden Treasure

In fact Jesus compared the kingdom of God to hidden treasure that a man found buried in a field.

"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it." (Mat 13:44-46)

You will find that many things in God's kingdom are like that, including finding Jesus, hearing the Lord's voice, and discovering the truth in Scripture. If you read the Bible, praying and asking God to speak to you, then search the Scriptures like you are searching for buried treasure, you will never be disappointed. You will find many passages to be like nuggets of gold that you have found.

Jesus Came to Seek the Lost

Amazingly, the reason Jesus came to earth was to seek and to save the lost. He said, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”(Lk 19:10, NIV). He admonishes us all throughout Scripture to seek Him, and yet He Himself is actively seeking the lost. Just as the Lord walked into the garden after Adam and Eve sinned and sought them out while they were hiding from Him, He continues to seek and save the lost today. 

In order to illustrate His great love for lost sinners and His eagerness to search for them, Jesus told them this parable, saying, "What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (Luk 15:3-7)

The parable of the prodigal son also illustrates how God seeks the lost. When the prodigal son comes to his senses and returns to his father to repent, the father is already watching for him. And while the son is drawing near to him from a long distance, the father runs to meet him and embrace him. "So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him." (Luk 15:20).

Ways That Men Hide from God
I have already covered some of the ways that men hide from God. We do it much the same way as Adam and Eve did so.

One way that men hide from God is they carry out their sinful deeds under cover of darkness. Paul said, "For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night." (1 Thes 5:7, NIV). One reason why people do their dirty deeds at night is that the darkness hides their identity. Whether they are partying, doing drugs, getting drunk, dancing, carousing, committing sexual immorality, or stealing, they often do so in the dark of night.

One reason I think they do so is that the people who see them do their dirty deeds are those who approve of them and do the same things. But if other people were to see them during the daytime in broad daylight and disapprove, it would bother the sinners' consciences. Our conscience is something God has given to each one of us, and He speaks to us through our conscience telling us when we have done something either bad or good. Either our conscience convicts us of wrongdoing or commends us when we do what is right. By hiding in darkness from the disapproving gaze of the public, those who do so are in effect trying to avoid having their consciences bothered. By avoiding the pangs of conscience, they are actually trying to hide from God.

Jesus said, "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed." (Joh 3:19-20).

It will not go well for those who seek to hide their sin. "Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the LORD, And whose deeds are done in a dark place, And they say, 'Who sees us?' or 'Who knows us?'" (Isa 29:15).

Another way men hide from God is they cover up their sin and deny it. The hypocrites that Jesus encountered did this. Their hearts were full of greed and wickedness, and yet they covered over it by acting and dressing piously. "Then the Lord said to him, 'Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.'" (Lk 11:39, NIV). It's human nature for men to desire the approval of men, rather than the approval of God, so rather than confess their sin to God and men, they conceal their sin and go out of their way to look good in front of everyone.

When men do this, then they should not be surprised if God hides His face from them. He says, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear." (Is 59:2, NIV). When the Israelites deserted God and forgot Him, going after idols that were merely false gods, this is what happened to them. "The Lord saw this and rejected them because he was angered by His sons and daughters. 'I will hide My face from them,' He said, 'and see what their end will be; for they are a perverse generation, children who are unfaithful.'" (Deut 32:20, NIV).

Blameless Job once asked, "Have I covered my transgressions like Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom?" (Job 31:33). Although Adam hid his iniquity from God, Job did not. He had the wisdom to know that "He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion." (Pro 28:13)

Nothing is Hidden from God
Why should we try to hide from God what He already knows? The Scriptures teach us that nothing in all creation is hidden from God, so we cannot keep secrets from God. The apostle wrote, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Heb 4:13, NIV).

Also the Lord said, "For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity concealed from My eyes." (Jer 16:17).

Likewise, Solomon wrote: "For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths." (Pr 5:21 NIV).

For more on this topic, see All Our Deeds Are Known to the Lord.

Hiding from the Wrath of God
Those who do not fear the Lord and continue on in their sins will regret it deeply one day. But then it will be too late, because it will be the time for God's wrath to be poured out on them. Then they will try to hide themselves from His wrath.

"Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?'” (Rev 6:15-17, NIV).

Putting it All Together
As we have seen from Scripture, since the time of Adam's sin, there has been a real-life hide and seek with God going on, which all of us are involved in, one way or another.  Either you are hiding from God, covering up your sin, or you are diligently seeking the Lord while He may be found. I hope you are among the latter who seek the Lord, because there are many wonderful promises of reward from God for those who do so. But there are only dire warnings and woes for those who refuse to seek the Lord and conceal their sins.

If you think it's an exercise in futility to seek the Lord, you are badly mistaken. It's quite the opposite. It's actually a very profitable undertaking. On the other hand, it is a waste of time to hide from God, since nothing is hidden from His sight.

If you are already a Christian, and you do not think that you are hiding anything from God, let me encourage you to pray and ask Him to reveal anything in your life that is hidden that must go. Then as He reveals anything to you, confess it, renounce it, and forsake it. Ask Him to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.

I hope this has encouraged you to see the seriousness of this reality you are in, because it's not a game. The Lord is calling out to us all to seek Him. Don't delay another day. He wants you to reach out and find Him, even though He is not far from any one of us. In fact, even while He seems hidden from you, He is seeking to save the lost. Won't you seek Him while He may be found?

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, copyright the Lockman Foundation, used by permission. Other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission. Image copyright ATD Developer used according to Fair Use Act for commentary and educational purposes only.

Author's note: You are invited to read Why God Hides His Face, Seeking the Lord, The Difference Between a Disciple and a Believer, The Cost of Discipleship, Strive to Enter the Kingdom of God, Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven, Separation from the World, Life Transformation Groups, All Our Deeds Are Known to the Lord, and Ask for the Ancient Paths. You may access the Main Directory for this Seeking the Lord blog for more articles like this, as well as my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Messages from the Lord for Catholics Worshipping Idols	Only the Holy -- Three Shocking Testimonies	Angelica Zambrano Hell and Heaven
Baptized by Blazing Fire	Taken to Hell	Angelica Zambrano Second Visit to Hell
Australian Pastor Raised from the Dead	Nigerian Pastor Raised from the Dead	Revelation of Hell to Seven Colombian Youths

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Seeking Glory from God

Thou Art Worthy by Charity Lacroix

Dear God-seekers,

From whom are you seeking praise and honor? Is it from men or from God? The Lord taught about this in a discourse with the Jews recorded in the fifth chapter of John's gospel. He said:

"I do not receive glory from men; but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?" (Joh 5:41-44)

To begin with, let's focus on two phrases. He said, "I do not receive glory from men," and "you receive glory from one another."  In order to correctly understand these statements, we need to define a coupe of key words first. In this passage, the Greek word for "glory" is "doxa" meaning "glory, honor, praise, or worship." So some translations use the word "praise". Moreover, the word "receive" is a bad translation on the part of most English translations, and the use of the word "accept" in the NASB is just as inadequate. The Greek word is "lambano" meaning "strive to obtain, reach after, take, lay hold of, get, get back." It is not a passive word.

Therefore, when Jesus said, "I do not receive glory from men" (Joh 5:41), He meant He did not strive to obtain or reach after honor from men. He also said, "But I do not seek My glory; there is One who seeks and judges." (Joh 8:50). Even though He is worthy of glory, He still did not seek it for Himself, but the Father sought it. And Jesus sought to bring glory to the Father. He explained, "If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, 'He is our God'." (Joh 8:54)

One example of Jesus not seeking the honor of men was when they decided to make Him their king. "Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, 'This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.' So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone." (Joh 6:14-15). He withdrew to a solitary place, so that they could not accomplish what they wanted to do. He came to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mt 20:28), not to be made king on earth by men and die a natural death. He was already a King, but His kingdom was and still is from another world (Joh 18:36-37). His Kingdom is a secret kingdom. He first had to suffer and be rejected by men before He was glorified (Lk 9:22; 17:25; Mk 8:31).

However, He did accept it when it was appropriate, such as the time when the little children were praising Him. "As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, shouting: 'Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!' Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, 'Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.' But Jesus answered, 'I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!'" (Luk 19:37-40). He also accepted honor from His disciples. For He said, "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am." (Joh 13:13, NIV). For example, there was the occasion when Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." (Mat 16:16-17). So we see that Jesus did accept glory, honor, and praise from men, however, He did not strive to obtain it.

On the contrary, the Jews, especially the Pharisees, sought after and strove to obtain praise from one another. They enjoyed the praises of men. They loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God (Joh 12:43). The Greek word for "approval" in this verse is the same word "doxa" meaning glory. In fact the English Revised Version translates that verse to say, "For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God." Jesus indicated some of the ways they sought glory, honor, praise, and approval from men, rather than that which comes from God, when He said, "They love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called 'Rabbi' by others." (Mt 23:7, NIV). They did not seek the glory that is from the only God (Joh 5:44). The word "seek" is "zeteo" meaning "seek, seek for, seek after, aim at, strive, after, desire, crave, demand something."

We must not seek to obtain, strive after, or try to get praise from men (1 Thes 2:6). "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full." (Mt 6:2, NIV). If you strive after honor from men, you have already received your reward in full, and there will be no reward in heaven for you. "We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts." (1 Thes 2:4b, NIV). "If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Gal 1:10b, NIV). Jesus told the Jews that did not receive Him (Joh 5:43) that their seeking of honor from men was a hindrance that was keeping them from believing in Him. He said, "How can you believe" when you do that? (Joh 5:44). You cannot be a servant of Christ and seek to gain honor from men or to be a man pleaser.

As with the Jewish religious leaders of Christ's day, titles are still one way that men today seek to obtain honor from men. In my article, Visitation of Jesus to Samuel Oghenetega, I reported that the Lord gave a warning to those answering to big titles. He said, "Preach the Truth or else you will be cast into the bottomless put. Tell those answering with big titles like Bishop, Archbishop, Most Reverend, Reverend, Right Reverend, I don’t know them by that. I know them by their name and their works." (see Matthew 23:8-10). Our "Senior Pastor" is the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Pe 5:4), as I wrote in my article, Our Senior Pastor. Nobody else truly deserves to be called by that title.

When people seek honor from men, it keeps them from obeying God. That's why Peter and John did not pay attention to the Jewish Sanhedrin council, when they ordered the apostles to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. Peter said, “We must obey God rather than men." (Ac 5:29).

On the other hand, King Herod is an example of a man pleaser. He "laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword. When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also." (Ac 12:1b-3a). Herod's desire for praise from men ultimately cost him his life. "On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, 'This is the voice of a god, not of a man.' Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died." (Ac 12:21-23, NIV). Governor Felix was another one like that. He left Paul imprisoned as a favor to the Jews (Ac 24:27). Governor Festus was the same way, wishing to do the Jews a favor (Ac 25:9). Governor Pilate was another example of a man pleaser, agreeing to have the Lord crucified to satisfy the crowd, even though he knew Jesus was innocent (Mk 15:15). There are plenty of examples of those who seek the praise of men, rather than the glory of God. But this must not be so in the Church.

We must make every effort to obtain glory from the only God. We must seek after and strive for honor from Him. "To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life." (Rom 2:7, NIV). We seek the glory not of ourselves, but of the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We seek to glorify God. We must do everything for the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31). And in the end He will glorify us in His presence. We will share in the glory of Christ, if we share in His sufferings now (Rom 8:17).

If anyone honors us or praises us, we need to deflect it to God and not accept it for ourselves. What do we have that we did not receive? (1 Cor 4:7). We have no reason to be proud or take any credit, since all that we have comes from Him. Any gifts, talents, or abilities we have all come from His hand. Every good and perfect gift comes from above, flowing down from the Father of the heavenly lights (James 1:17). We can do nothing apart from Jesus (Joh 15:5). Anything good you see in me is Jesus, and all the mistakes are mine. We say, "Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." (Ps 115:1). But, "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord." (1 Cor 1:31; 2 Cor 10:17). He alone deserves all the praise, all the glory, and all the honor. He alone is worthy. "Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen." (Php 4:20). "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." (Rom 11:36)

Attribution notice: Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, except where otherwise noted. Other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, unless otherwise noted. The "Thou Art Worthy" illustration is by my daughter, Charity Lacroix. You may find more of her lovely artwork at A Brush with Life.

Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, you may also like For the Glory of God Alone, The Light and the Glory, Whatever You Do, Do All Like This, Pleasing the Lord, Success in God's Eyes, Having a Servant's Heart, Holy Living in a Perverted World, The Difference Between a Disciple and a Believer, Seeing Jesus, Loving Him, Character and Glory, Walking in the Perfect Will of God, One Thing, Our Senior Pastor, Ask for the Ancient Paths, Striving to Enter the Kingdom of God, Living a Life Worthy of the Lord, Aim for Perfection, and The Wardrobe of the Saints. I highly recommend reading Visitation of Jesus to Samuel Oghenetega, Only the Holy -- Three Shocking Testimonies and Holy Fire Baptism. You may find the Main Directory for this blog at Home, and also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Beware of Philosophy and Empty Deception

The apostle Paul warned us against philosophy and empty deception, when he said we must see to it that no one takes us captive through these things.

"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." (Col 2:8)

The word “philosophy” comes from the Greek word “philosophia,” meaning “philosophy,” and referring specifically here to “Jewish sophistry” (Strongs).

The words “empty deception” come from the Greek words “kenos” meaning “vain or empty” and “apate” meaning “delusion: - deceit (-ful, -fulness), deceivableness (-ving).” (Strongs).

Both the philosophy and empty deceit he warned against are according to the tradition of men and the elementary principles of the world.

Tradition of Men
The expression “tradition of men” comes from the Greek words “paradosis” and “anthropos.” The word “paradosis” means “a precept; specifically the Jewish traditionary law: - ordinance, tradition.”(Strongs). And “anthropos” simply means “man” or “human being.” (Strongs). Therefore the expression “the tradition of men” refers to those precepts, ordinances, and traditions that are taught by men, including those that come from Jewish law.

One obvious example of such traditions of men that Paul was warning against was that of those who taught Gentile Christians they must be circumcised according to the Law in order to be saved. Such teachers were  endeavoring to keep up the law of Moses in conjunction with the gospel of Christ.  But there are many other examples.  These days, men teach the self-help gospel, which is all about how you can be a more successful businessman, how to be better at whatever you do.  They teach as if success and prosperity in this life are the main purpose of the gospel. And there are other examples.  Whenever men require that Gentile Christians keep up Jewish customs, such as feasts, ceremonies, rites, or other traditional practices, these are also traditions of men.

The Elementary Principles of the World
The philosophy and empty deceit Paul warned us to guard against is also according to the elementary principles of the world. The term “elementary principles” comes from the Greek word “stoicheion” meaning “element, principle, or rudiment.” (Strongs). The philosophy and empty deceit are deadly, because that are after the manner of worldly principles or rudimentary concepts of this world.

Paul used this same Greek word again in Col 2:20, when he said, “If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, ‘Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!’ (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)--in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.” (Col 2:20-23)

Therefore, Paul was specifically warning against submitting to decrees such as “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” These are basic principles after the manner of the commandments and teachings of men. For example, if anyone tells you that you must not taste a certain food, because it is unclean, that is a lie, since Jesus declared all foods clean. Beware of such people. Or for example, the way Catholic priests wear a veil when elevating the monstrance (gold receptacle for displaying the communion host) and hold the veil in such a manner that their hands do not touch the monstrance. Such teachings might have the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but they don’t make you holy. Those things are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

Jesus taught against teaching and keeping the traditions of men. He said: "’Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.’ He was also saying to them, ‘You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. For Moses said, “Honor your father and your mother”; and, “He who speaks evil of father or mother, is to be put to death”; but you say, “If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),” you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.’" (Mar 7:8-13)

God commands us to put to death the flesh, and war against fleshly indulgence like anger, lust, gluttony, sexual immorality, and hatred. But these basic principles after the manner of the commandments and teachings of men have no value in this matter.  In fact, they contradict and conflict with the commandments of God.

Reality in Christ
On the other hand, the commandments of God that teach us what sin is and warn us against it are definitely valid and helpful to us. Likewise, the commandments of God that teach us what kind of character and lifestyle God requires of His holy people are still valid and helpful to us. So are the Scriptures that teach us the will of God.  These are found throughout the Bible, and are profitable for children of God, not only the ones found in the New Testament, but also in the Old Testament.

Here are some examples: God hates cross-dressing (Dt 22:5). God hates divorce (Mal 2:16). God requires us to tithe (Mal 3:10).  God hates idolatry (Ex 20:4). God hates jewelry (Ex 33:3-6). You must not get tattoos (Lev 19:28). Homosexuality and bestiality are abominations to God (Lev 18:22-23; 20:13,15).  God still expects us to keep His Sabbath day holy (Ex 20:8). Obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Sam 15:22). You must not rely on your own understanding (Pr 3:5). It is good to give thanks to the Lord and praise His name (Ps 92:1). And there are many more like this. Notice that none of these are basic principles after the manner of the commandments and teachings of men.  Neither are they rudiments of the world. They are commandments of God, not empty deception or philosophy.

Paul said that the philosophy and empty deceit he warned against are "not according to Christ" (Col 2:8). That is key!  "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form," (Col 2:9).  All the fullness of the Godhead dwells in bodily form in the Lord Jesus.  We are complete in Him.  We are circumcised in Him. We are whole in Him. Reality is found in Him (Col 2:17).  While priests, mediators, the tabernacle, the temple, its furnishings, sacrifices and rituals were all shadows of things to come, He is the actual substance of those shadows. He is our High Priest, He is our Mediator, He is our dwelling place and He dwells in us, He is our perfect sacrifice, the sinless Lamb of God. Life is found in Him! Live for Him.

The highest purpose of the Bible is to reveal the character of God.  And His will remains the same throughout the ages. It is not limited to one covenant or dispensation. So find out what pleases the Lord and do it (Eph 5:10).  Let’s get back to obeying the whole Bible and avoid man-made traditions.

Finally, in the many divine revelations of heaven and hell that I have posted on Eternal Destinations, the message in these revelations typically refers to the ways of God that are found throughout the Bible. Let's keep the ways of God according to Scripture. Let us prepare in holiness for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is coming right away! The call is going out today, "Sinner, come home!" Repent and believe the gospel, for the Kingdom of God is near.

Attribution notice: Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Greek word definitions from Strong's Concordance.

Author's note: If you enjoyed this article, I recommend, Restored Truth, The Cost of Discipleship, Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven, Pope Frances Supports Homosexuality, Remember the Eternal Law of God, Is Tithing Required?, Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, Carrying Your Cross or Cross Dressing?, The Straight and Narrow Path, Striving to Enter the Kingdom of God, The Top Ten Things Jesus Taught, Separation from the World, The Rise of Antichrists, The Self-Help Gospel, What's Wrong with the Prosperity Gospel, and Ask for the Ancient Paths. You may access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Seeking the Lord

Throughout God’s Word, we are admonished to seek the Lord. But what exactly does that mean? Is this a passive act? Does this mean attending a church meeting and singing some songs then listening to someone speak? Does it mean reading some prayers at home while dozing in and out of a nap? Or is it something very active and all consuming that requires all our heart, soul, mind and strength?

Let’s look at some passages to determine the kind of fervency that’s involved in seeking the Lord...

The Lord is searching the world over to try and see if He can find someone whose heart is completely His. "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His." (2Ch 16:9a)

"As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God?" (Psa 42:1-2)

When we pant for something literally, it means our chest is heaving, as in short respiration or want of breath. It means figuratively “To long for; to desire ardently.”So we could translate this verse to say, “Lord, my soul desires you so ardently with such a longing that it’s like when a deer has been running and it’s heaving in short breathes, desperately trying to get enough air, searching for water from the brook to quench its thirst.”

The psalmist sought the Lord with all His heart. He said, "With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments." (Psa 119:10) "I sought Your face with all my heart; Be gracious to me according to Your word." (Psa 119:58)

He prayed, "My soul languishes for Your salvation; I wait for Your word. My eyes fail with longing for Your word, While I say, 'When will You comfort me?' " (Psa 119:81-82). How many of us pray that way? Do we search in His Word like we are searching for buried treasure, so that our eyes fail longing for His Word?

The psalmist lost sleep over his quest for the Lord, and he saw the late and early hours as prime time to cry out to the Lord, wait for Him, and meditate on His Word: "I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words. My eyes anticipate the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word." (Psa 119:147-148). That's fervency!! That's ardent love!

He sought the Lord earnestly with a great thirst and hunger for God: "God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water." (Psa 63:1)

The prophet Hosea admonishes us, "So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth." (Hos 6:3) In this verse from Hosea, the word for “press on” comes from the Hebrew word “rawdaf”. According to Strong’s it is a primitive root that means “to run after” (usually with hostile intent; figuratively). It also means, among other things “to chase”, “hunt,” or “pursue.” So with this understanding, we could translate this verse thusly: “So let us know, let us run after the Lord to know Him..." Or “let us pursue the Lord relentlessly, as though we were hunting for Him so that we might truly know Him.” God loves to be pursued by you, and if you seek Him this way you will surely find Him.

The apostle Paul pressed on toward the goal for the prize like a runner running a great race. "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus." (Phi 3:12) And again he states, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phi 3:14)

The writer of Hebrews exhorts, "Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God," (Heb 6:1) The word we translate as “Press on” here in this passage is “phero”. It means to “be driven,” in such a way that one is “rushing.” It implies a “reaching” for something ahead. So we could translate this verse like this: “let us be driven to maturity, in such a way that we are rushing after it and reaching out for it, not moving backwards and laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.

So from God’s Word we can see that seeking His face is not something passive at all. Rather, it is very active and very aggressive. It requires our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.

The Lord is searching the world over to try and see of He can find someone whose heart is completely His. Is every ounce of your being completely His? Do you daily seek to surrender yourself completely to Him? Do you desire the Lord so ardently with such a longing that it’s like when a deer has been running and it’s heaving in short breathes, desperately trying to get enough air? Are you pressing on toward the goal for the prize like a runner running a marathon, determined to win? Are you running after the Lord to know Him? Have you lost any sleep over your quest for the Lord?

If you didn’t answer yes to these questions, then let me encourage you to pursue the Lord relentlessly, as though we were hunting for Him! Take advantage of the late and early hours of the day when everyone else is asleep to cry out to the Lord, wait for Him, and meditate on His Word. Seek the Lord with all your heart. Let me encourage you to be driven to maturity, in such a way that you are rushing after it and reaching out for it. This is not at all a passive act, but something that you give yourself to completely.

If you will do this, the wonderful promise to you is that the Lord will strongly support you. Not that I have already attained to perfection in this area, but I’m with D.L. Moody, who once said, “The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him. I will try my utmost to be that man.”

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

Author's note: This "Seeking the Lord" blog has become very popular in France. The reason for this is uncertain, but I am humbled and delighted that it has generated such a great interest there. To God be all the glory! If you enjoyed this post, you may also like the other posts in this blog available through the links in the side bar. You may also access my blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.