7 Things Our Souls Search For

Do you search for things?

Because most of us search for items almost daily.

Like when our husband questions the whereabouts of black dress socks or a t-shirt (hopefully not to wear together).

Or our teen wonders where the car keys are.

We try to locate our cell phone. Maybe it’s the pen we need to jot down an important note.

Perhaps our toddler misplaces her favorite toy (this makes for a traumatic day).

And the needed spice for dinner’s main dish is somewhere in this kitchen.

But not only are we in need of tangible stuff to function in our daily routine.

Our souls search for the intangible items that make life full and meaningful.

Here are 7 things our souls search for and what God’s Word says about each.

Searching for Hope? 

Every soul in the world searches for hope at some point in life. Yet, hope the world offers eventually fizzles and fades away. But real and lasting hope only comes through God.

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.” Psalm 62:5

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

(Scripture ESV, emphasis added)

Blessings in the Shadow of the Almighty’s Wings

She flew away as her wings took flight when I opened our front door.

Inside the edge of my wreath, I found the beginnings of her nest.

I realized our constant door activity was a risk to any eggs she’d lay. 

So I acted quickly in taking my wreath down to force this mama bird to build her home elsewhere. 

A few days later, high on the River Birch branch inside our courtyard, I spotted a newly built nest. I imagined her nesting, then caring for her babies through feeding and protecting them from harm—seasonal storms and predators. 

And keeping them under her wings.

As God’s children, we need a safe shelter. Because life’s storms and a predator (Satan) often put us in danger.

Or, maybe we wonder how to rest in the Lord and the best time to take flight and soar.

We are given many assurances about abiding under God’s wings.

• God covers us with His feathers.
• The Father hides us in the shadow of His wings. 
• His faithful promises are our strong shelter.

Look at Jesus’s words in Matthew 23.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Verses 37, ESV)

Our redeemer wants to gather us under His wings—if we are willing. Then these blessings follow.

Refuge under His Wings

I’m Not Ashamed of the Gospel or My Faith

The world seems to have gone half mad. Sadly, the madness often surrounds the foundations of the Christian faith and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Like the ridicule of Christian values.

Or, questioning spiritual and biblical principles like the Good News as valid or relevant or relatable in present culture.

So I sometimes receive negative remarks on social media about my Christian beliefs.

Still, I am not ashamed of the gospel, the firm foundation of my faith.

But why and how do we remain unashamed of the gospel?

With these Christian foundations to our faith.

1.) Gospel Foundation: The Bible and its Truth

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 (ESV)

Not only does God’s Word recount the gospel story, but its very foundation lies in Truth. Disciples of Jesus remain unashamed of the gospel and the Bible and Jesus—the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)

The Bible supports our beliefs, helps us live out our faith, and aids with godly living.

So, the more we are in God’s Word, the more we do the right thing…the godly thing…the Jesus thing, and do it all more often. And the more we are not ashamed.

In John 17, Jesus prayed over His disciples.

“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (verses 14 & 17, ESV)

2.) Faith Foundation: Redemption and its Story

5 Ways to Foster a Relentless Faith

I have faith. Until I don’t. Because when the world seems uncertain and hard circumstances come my way, my faith is anything but relentless.

As Christians, we often teeter between standing on a firm faith in God and sinking in the quicksand of doubt.  

But the Christian journey necessitates a relentless faith. So I’m learning a firm and unrelenting faith is what God desires for His people.

Yet, we often hesitate in our confidence in the Lord and His promises. Still, Hebrews 11:1 defines it exactly that way:

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (NIV)

Faith is not a receive-it-all-at-once deal. Because the confidence in what we hope for and the assurance about what we do not see, grows and strengthens while we live out our Christian lives on this earth. 

Here are 5 ways to foster a relentless F-A-I-T-H:

F – Find God faithful. 

Affirmations: Who I Am in the Great I AM

Sometimes we forget who we are in Christ and in God Almighty, the Great I AM. The enemy of our souls hopes we believe all the wrong affirmations.

Those negative statements we often say and repeat to ourselves that damage our true identity. So we need to remind our hearts of powerful “I am” affirmations to regain our true identity. 

(1.) Affirmations: I am loved. 

If you’re anything like me, you grew up questioning if people really loved you. 

And—gulp—wondering if God loves you. 

Maybe these questions formed in various stages of our life. Or, the enemy still uses our uncertainty of love to haunt us in the present.

But the love of God is firm and certain. To believe and know the truth about His love, write out and pray these scriptures: 

• Love lays down His life for me. (John 15:13)
• Perfect love drives out my fear. (1 John 4:18)
• The Lord quiets me with His love, singing over me. (Zephaniah 3:17)
• God crowns me with steadfast love. (Psalm 103:4)
• God’s love stands firm forever. (Psalm 89:2)

Affirm: I am loved. 

The Most Extravagant Valentine’s Day in History

What if there’s a Valentine’s Day unlike any we’ve ever known? 

Perhaps your memory bank holds a special Valentine’s Day. One that’s near and dear to your heart.

Maybe a special someone entered your life, you received a marriage proposal from the love of your life, or your spouse went over the top to celebrate your love. 

Even a sweet childhood memory may still captivate us.

Or, your memories surrounding this love-holiday uncover feelings of emptiness or a lack of love. Memories from childhood to the present you’d rather forget. 

Because many of us have experienced both highs and lows regarding Valentine’s Day.

But the most lavish, epic, and monumental Valentine’s Day to ever take place in history, celebrates the best kind of love—extravagant love.

Extravagant Love Defined

First, let’s look at what love is and what love is not.

And the Bible contains some of the most powerful and beautiful words ever penned on love. 

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (ESV)

What Love is Not

If the World Needs Anything Now: It’s Jesus

If the world needs anything right now, it’s Jesus. 

The prince of this world deceives Christians and non-believers of our real needs.

But what and who the world needs right now is Jesus.

Even believers must rein ourselves in from everything the world offers.

So how much more do those who don’t know Christ fail to realize real needs.

Still, with all that’s currently going on in the world: evil, suffering, division, hatred, and troubled hearts, it’s no wonder we turn to things appearing to meet our deepest needs.

Let’s look at some of the enemy’s deceptions.

The World Needs More Money

The Bible is clear, not money itself, but the love of money is the problem.

1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (NIV)

Yet, a few verses before notes, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” 1 Timothy 6:6-7 (NIV)

The chapter encourages believers to flee the love of money and pursue righteousness. (verse 11)

We Want Power, Control, Notoriety

Passionately Seeking the God of the Bible

When we passionately seek God, it radically transforms us.

And the enemy knows it. So he uses the world’s distractions to keep us from God.

It boils down to a constant spiritual struggle. 

Like how living in this world clashes with not being of this world. Or, the ongoing battle between our flesh and spirit. Also, the conflict between our old self and our new self in Christ.

These struggles put us at risk of distractions that pull us away from seeking God. Instead, we look to our own desires and what the world has to offer. 

But it’s nothing new. 

Throughout the history of the world, the history of God’s people, and the history of the Bible, the choice always stood in place. Either seeking after God or seeking something else. 

And “something else” includes everything from people and things to idols and self-worship to fame and fortune. 

Look at Romans 3:10-11, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.” (ESV)

Still, Acts 17 reminds us how God made the world and everything in it. Futhermore, He made all mankind to live on the earth. Why? 

“That they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’” (Verses 27-28, ESV)

So how does the Bible describe seeking God?

Seeking God for who He is.

10 Compelling Attributes Also Known as Jesus

Jesus, also known as….

Do you remember the first time you heard the name, Jesus? 

I was a child. But when I turned sixteen, Jesus became my salvation, my Savior. 

Since Jesus brings us compelling qualities of life when we know Him as Savior and Lord, these central attributes also bear His name.

Let’s look at 10 aspects also known as, Jesus.

(1.) Love has a name, Jesus.

True Love defined means, Jesus. Our lack of love from people never makes the Love of Christ less true. 

Instead, we are loved the way He says we are loved: Love lays down His life for me (John 15:13); perfect Love drives out my fear (1 John 4:18-19), and He redeems my life from the pit and crowns me with Love (Psalm 103:4).

(2.) Mercy, also known as, Jesus.

God sent Mercy from the throne room of heaven to take our place. Beaten, bruised, and pierced with nails, Mercy’s blood spilled on a cross. And Mercy bestowed forgiveness on us to cover our sins.

“He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5

(3.) Peace has a name, Jesus.

A Call for Believers to Pray in 6 Ways

This is a call to pray!

We need reminding how God’s supernatural power and ability far outweighs human efforts.

And we only tap into His ability through prayer. 

Since the calendar pages turned to 2021, the world needs prayer more than ever.

And America so desperately needs prayer. 

This call to pray includes: the pandemic, political and racial unrest in the United States and other countries, repentance, and to draw our hearts back to God as a people and a nation. 

Finally, it’s a call to pray for unbelievers to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

So we pray in these 6 ways:

P – Praise a living and powerful God: A Call to Pray

Heavenly Father, I praise You. You alone are God and worthy of all glory. Splendor and majesty surround Your throne. I magnify Your holy and matchless name. I worship Your beauty. Because there is no god like my God.

All of creation declares praise to the Almighty God of heaven and earth! Holy is Your name! Since You are alive and well, it is well with my soul! 

R – Repent of sin in actions, words, and thoughts

Lord, forgive me of my sins. Sometimes I say, think, or do things unpleasing to You. I ask You to give me a desire to repent often and quickly. And help me repent of any missteps against You and others.