The Pursuit That's Bigger Than You

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on 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. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord...” Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV

How to Seek God with your whole heart

1. Sincerity – No games. No pretending. No fake spirituality.

2. Honesty – Coming to God with your real struggles, doubts, sins, and desires.

3. Priority – Making God first, not an afterthought.

Why So few are living in God’s Good Plans

[Ahab] turned to Jehoshaphat and asked, “Will you join me in battle to recover Ramoth-gilead?” Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “Why, of course! ...But first let’s find out what the Lord says.”  1 Kings 22:4-5 NLT

1. We want what we want. 

So the king of Israel summoned the prophets, about 400 of them, and asked them, “Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?” They all replied, “Yes, go right ahead! The Lord will give the king victory.” 

But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not also a prophet of the Lord here? We should ask him the same question.” [Ahab] replied to Jehoshaphat, “There is one more man who could consult the Lord for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah... “That’s not the way a king should talk! Let’s hear what he has to say.”  1 Kings 22:6-8 NLT

Micaiah replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what the Lord tells me to say.”  1 Kings 22:14

“...should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we hold back?” Micaiah replied sarcastically, “Yes, go up and be victorious, for the Lord will give the king victory!” But the king replied sharply, “How many times must I demand that you speak only the truth to me when you speak for the Lord?” Then Micaiah told him, “In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace.’”  1 Kings 22:15-17 NLT

2.  Stubbornness Always Has a Price.   

“...I’m badly wounded!” The battle raged all that day, and the king remained propped up in his chariot...blood from his wound ran down to the floor of his chariot...So the king died, and his body was taken to Samaria and buried there...dogs came and licked his blood at the place where the prostitutes bathed, just as the Lord had promised.  1 Kings 22:34-38 NLT

         What is your stubbornness costing you right now? 

         - Your marriage or family? 

         - Your health or peace? 

         - Your integrity or future? 

3. The Better Way: Surrender Your Will & Seek God Sincerely.

“Not my will, but yours be done” Luke 22:42 NIV

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 NLT

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on 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 29:11-13 NIV

Message Note:  The Holy Bible, New International Version.  The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John F. Waalvord and Roy B. Zuck.