14 • The Beacon September 15 , 2022
What Are You Looking For ?
We live in a day that there are problems , bad situations and circumstances ; evil seems to be covering the earth and we all have more questions than answers . The possibility of nuclear war is talked about daily . People are afraid , fearful and confused .
Led Zeppelin sang a song entitled , “ Dazed and Confused ,” This sums up many people ’ s lives .
People just want to be zoned out through drugs , alcohol , pornography , sex and any other vice to keep themselves from facing reality . I believe that people use and are involved in the above activities because they want to change the way they feel about themselves .
I once talked to a man who walked around the world . It took him five years to do it . You can read his book about the journey in his book , “ Worldwalk ”: by Steven M . Newman . It is a worthwhile read . He concluded the book by making this statement that everywhere he went in the world and with every family he stayed with there was one concern for all , they just wanted their children to have a better life than they had . I am sure this is true for most parents .
Most people are looking for happiness and they spend a great deal of time searching for it and spending money on things they feel will bring them happiness . It could be the latest high tech phones and whatever else they want . It could be a comfortable home , plenty of food to eat . A few even want a good job , to have good friends , good health , no worries , and to be financially secure . Most never even come close to finding this place in their lives .
In the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 6 verses 25-34 we are told not to worry and in verse 33 we are given a key to life , “ But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you .”
I came to a place in my life where I was about to lose my mind . Someone prayed for me and I surrendered my life to Christ . I have asked God for a lot of things over the years and thankfully He did not give me everything I asked for . But I know this for sure :
• Jesus understands our needs and desires more than we do .
• Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins so that we might have something far beyond anything we might want and that is true joy and happiness in a life lived for Him .
• I would encourage you to read the Beatitudes in Matthew Chapter 5:1-10 : And see the multitudes , He went up on a mountain , and when He was seated His disciples came to Him . Then He opened His mouth and taught them saying : “ Blessed are the poor in spirit , for theirs is the kingdom of heaven . Blessed are those who mourn , for they shall be comforted . Blessed are the meek , for they shall inherit the earth . Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness , for they shall be filled . Blessed are the merciful , for they shall obtain mercy . Blessed are the pure in heart , for they shall see God . Blessed are the peacemakers , for they shall be called sons of God . Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness ’ sake , for theirs is the kingdom of heaven .”
• We are given the wisdom that puts things in perspective and shows us how to find what we are looking for .
• In the Beatitudes the word “ blessed ” means happy
• According to Jesus the most well-off people in the world are not the materially rich and famous people but those who see their desperate need of God .
• The most blessed of all are those who mourn their wrongs to the point of surrendering to God , asking for His forgiveness , mercy and salvation
• Jesus the Son of God , sacrificed His life and died on the cross to pay for the greatest gift of all , our salvation .
• The Word of God tells us we do not need just happiness or a worry-free life . We need mercy and we need forgiveness
• We need to open our hearts to receive the rescue that God gives to anyone who receives who receives the ultimate gift of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ His Son .
• John 1:11-12 , “ He ( Jesus ) came to His own , and His own did not receive Him . But as many as received Him , to them He gave the right ( power ) to become the children of God , to those who believed on His name .”
• Jesus did for us what we could never do for ourselves and when we gratefully accept His gift of mercy and forgiveness , we will enter into the best of all relationships as the children of God and will find true peace and happiness .
Pray this prayer , “ Lord Jesus , thank You for dying on the cross for me . I recognize that You are the true Son of God , sent to earth to pay the full price for all of our sins . I believe that You were raised from the dead . You are God Almighty , and I surrender to Your Lordship . I am sorry that I have lived my life apart from You . Please forgive me for thinking that my life could have true meaning without You . I turn from my sins and choose to follow You . I give You my hurts and fears , my unforgiveness , my pride , my greed , and all the garbage from my past . Thank You that I can start my life over again with You . I ask this in Your name . Amen .
Now , tell someone else what Jesus has done in your life . Find a Bible Believing Church and attend it regularly and begin to grow and mature in your walk .
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