Tag: Seeking God

Evidence & Excuses

Ever notice how, for some people, there’s never “enough” evidence for God? You could show them miracles, point to transformed lives, or share fulfilled prophecies—but they still hesitate. In Luke 16, Jesus confronts this mindset in the story of the rich man and Lazarus. We meet a man who waited too long. From his place of torment, he begs for someone to warn his brothers, hoping to give them “enough” evidence to believe. But Jesus’ response is stark: “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them” (Luke 16:29). In other words, the truth is already in front of them if they’re willing to see it.

Jesus’ words reveal something crucial about faith: it isn’t a scavenger hunt for irrefutable proof but a journey of seeking, trusting, and responding to the evidence already present. Often, what we’re really looking for isn’t more evidence but the courage to act on what we know. Like in Matthew 13, Jesus explained that His parables were meant to be understood by those willing to seek—those with open hearts and searching minds.

Our desire for “more proof” can sometimes be a guise for something deeper: a desire to stay in control. A demand for unending evidence often masks our reluctance to submit our lives to a holy God. We may say we want to believe, but often we’re more comfortable holding onto the illusion of self-determination. Admitting that God’s way is true means surrendering to His authority—a step that can feel like losing our grip on our own destiny.

The rich man’s plea for “more” shows us that delaying faith can lead to missing out on the real opportunity to believe—right here, right now. Romans 1 reminds us that God’s nature is evident in creation, and Hebrews 11:6 tells us that “without faith, it is impossible to please God.” Faith begins where control ends, and sometimes our quest for “more proof” only keeps us from seeing the truth that’s already evident.

In our hearts, the question isn’t whether there’s enough evidence. It’s whether we’re willing to act on it—and willing to yield. Today, ask yourself: am I holding back because I truly need more proof, or am I reluctant to give up my own way? God has shown us enough to trust Him. Now, we must decide whether we will.

Are Your Plans Aligned with God’s Will?

As I read Isaiah 30:1-5 this morning, I was struck by the gravity of making plans without consulting God. The passage vividly describes such actions as sinful and rebellious. In these verses, the Israelites sought alliances with Egypt instead of seeking God’s guidance. This decision, made without divine consultation, led to their downfall.

The concept here is clear: when we exclude God from our decision-making process, we are essentially fighting against His will. This rebellion is not merely a mistake but a sin that compounds other sins, leading us further away from His path.

To fully grasp the weight of this message, it helps to understand the historical context. The Israelites, facing the threat of Assyrian invasion, sought the powerful nation of Egypt for protection. This seemed a logical and strategic move from a worldly perspective. However, it was a direct contradiction of God’s command to rely solely on Him for deliverance and guidance.

How often do we find ourselves making plans and forming alliances based on our understanding and wisdom without first seeking God’s counsel? Whether it’s career decisions, relationships, or daily choices, the temptation to lean on our own understanding is strong. Yet, Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

When we take matters into our own hands, we not only risk failure but also miss the opportunity to experience God’s best for us. His plans are always superior to ours, filled with purpose and aligned with His perfect will. By seeking His guidance, we align ourselves with His divine plan, ensuring that our steps are ordered and blessed.

Take a moment today to reflect on areas of your life where you might be making decisions without consulting God. Are you relying on your own understanding, or are you seeking His wisdom and guidance? Commit to bringing every plan before Him in prayer, asking for His direction and trusting in His perfect will.

God Could Never Use Me

How many of us have uttered this sentence, or held this thought?

If ever you feel like you’re too messed up to be used by God, read the Bible. See how He uses deeply flawed people to accomplish His purposes all the time.

Just in today’s passage; Jacob is cheated by Laban, so he rigs the system to get Laban back and Rachel steals from her father’s house and lies to his face about it.

This is the man who would become the namesake for Israel and the woman who gave birth to two of the 12 tribes of Israel. They are NOT insignificant contributors! God even appears to the unbeliever Laban to issue a warning.

The point is this: no amount of human sin or interference will stop God from achieving His plans.

So you should worry less about being perfect, and more about recognizing your sin and submitting yourself to God.

Remember David wasn’t a person patterned after God’s heart, but a deeply flawed person seeking after God’s heart.

So should we all be.

Genesis 30:25-31:55 | 011/365