Seeking Him Radio

Carrying Fire

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife."

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Those sobering words are from Proverbs 6. I had a chance to see the truth of those words not long ago when a group of friends and I met with a man who was trying to carry fire next to his chest. He was in the middle of an adulterous relationship.

When he first got involved with this other woman, he figured he could break it off at any time. Then he told us, "What I didn't count on was that I wouldn't be able to get out."

Sin had promised this man happiness, but instead, it made him miserable. His thinking was twisted, and he was losing his family and his job. But he was so attached to his sin that he was willing to live with its consequences.

Are you playing with fire in some relationship? I promise you, you will get burned. Let it go before it's too late.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

People Will Know

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

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Nancy Leigh DeMoss: What would get the world's attention? What would show them that the body of Christ is serious about their faith?

"First, we need to get Roe vs. Wade overturned."
"And another thing is, the church needs to do a better job in marketing. We've got a great product in a lot of cases, but the church is failing in this area."
"Get rid of these radical judges and put prayer back in the schools."

Nancy: Jesus addressed this issue. He didn't say the world would notice if we'd memorized our Bibles, or if we would have perfect attendance at church, or if we would have overflowing church buildings, or all kinds of programs.

He said, "Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Is your church's primary focus on strategies, programs, and promotion? Or is it on love?

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Surgery

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: I know of a woman who found herself at a marriage retreat, making a mental list of all the ways her husband needed to change. Then, unexpectedly, the Holy Spirit started to do some supernatural surgery in her heart.

"God began to peel back the layers of my heart. There was bitterness, hate, rebellion, and an underlying pride that corrupted everything."

Nancy: In that moment, she chose brokenness. She asked God to forgive her. She discovered brokenness brings blessedness. Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit."

As you think about a difficult relationship you may be in, are you sitting back waiting for the other person to change? Could there be some spiritual surgery needed in your own heart? Are you willing to let God show you your needs and change you?

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Knowledge Without Love

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

"I think it's great that my wife's been taking all those Bible classes, but it's kind of intimidating."

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: The apostle Paul says, "If I understand all mysteries and all knowledge . . . but have not love, I am nothing." As women today, we have opportunities like never before to study the Word of God. But our knowledge has to be balanced with love.

"She tells me that she wants me to lead spiritually, but when we read the Bible, she argues with everything I say."

Nancy: Knowledge without love puffs up. It makes us arrogant and hard to live with. If our knowledge doesn't make us more humble and submissive to the authorities God's put in our lives, then it's worth nothing.

We need to keep growing in our knowledge of God's Word, but let's also ask Him to develop in us truly humble, loving hearts.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Proud vs. Humble - Themselves

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Proud people feel confident in how much they know.

"Your doctor doesn't know what he's talking about. I've seen this before. The pressure will last a couple days and then . . ."

Nancy: But humble people realize how much they have to learn.

"I know he's a little hard to understand, but he may have something good to say."

Nancy: Proud people worry what others think of them.

"It seems like everyone has a brand new SUV, and I'm still in this clunky car!"

Nancy: Humble people aren't preoccupied with themselves at all.

"Lord, you're watching. All that matters is pleasing you."

Nancy: When it comes to our attitudes about ourselves, we're all tempted by pride. But the Spirit of God helps us choose the pathway of true humility. So we don't need to be driven to extremes . . .

"Yeah, you could call me a workaholic. But I'm going to lighten up once I get the promotion. "

Nancy: . . . because humble people recognize God-given limitations.

"Lord, I didn't finish my to-do list for today, but thank you so much for letting me talk with my neighbor."

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Jonah or Jeremiah?

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Which prophet are you more like? Jeremiah? Or Jonah? Both of these men spoke to sinful people. But Jonah delivered God's Word from an angry heart. He didn't want his audience to get the message and repent.

On the other hand, Jeremiah delivered his message in tears. His heart was broken for the people who had strayed from the Lord.

This illustrates what Paul says in 1 Corinthians: "If I had the gift of prophecy, but don't exercise that gift in love, I am nothing."

When you find yourself having to confront someone with the truth, what's the attitude of your heart? Is it one of anger and revenge? Or does your heart break as you deliver your message out of obedience and love?

Ask God to give you a tender, compassionate heart like Jeremiah.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Holiness and Suffering

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: What helps you to grow in holiness?

"Come to the Holiness Conference—this weekend at the Expo Center!"
"Buy 7 Steps to Holiness today, at your local Christian retailer."

Nancy: You know, God uses something surprising to teach us holiness—suffering! In fact, the pathway to holiness always involves suffering.

When our lives are all roses and no thorns, we tend to be spiritually complacent. We neglect serious self-examination and confession. But affliction has a way of stripping away the stubborn deposits of selfishness that build up in the course of everyday life.

The psalmist put it this way, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word."

Are you going through a time of suffering? Let me encourage you, hard as it may be, to embrace it as a gift from God. Ask Him to use this time to make you more like Him.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Count the Stars

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: When God calls you to do something, He provides everything it takes to get it done. God told Abram that he would have a son in his old age. The problem was that Abram's wife was barren.

So, relying on his own ability, Abram tried coming up with plans to help God out. Eventually, God took Abram out into a beautiful starlit night. He wanted Abram to realize how incredibly powerful He was. So, God asked Abram to count the stars and then said, "So shall your descendants be." The Bible says simply, "Abram believed God."

What has God called you to do? Instead of looking for ways you can fulfill it in your own power, focus on God's ability. If He can place every star in the sky, surely He has the power to bring about whatever He's called you to do.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Ignoring the Symptoms

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

"Does my neck look red to you? Do you see a bite or anything?"
"I don't know. It could be a little red."
"I think I'm going to call the doctor."

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: When you experience some physical symptom, you want to make sure everything's okay.

"Do I feel hot to you?"
"Ummm, maybe."
"Maybe I should get the thermometer."

Nancy: But when you start to think something's wrong spiritually, are you as quick to diagnose the problem?

"I hope I didn't offend her. Oh, I'll deal with it in my prayer time tomorrow. I'll probably remember it then."

Nancy: When our consciences bother us, we need to get to the root of the problem. Ignoring sin in our lives is even more dangerous than ignoring a fever, rash, or aches and pains. So the next time your conscience bothers you, don't just ignore the symptoms. Agree with God about His diagnosis, and ask Him to show you how to make it right.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Soul, Spirit, and Body

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: When I turned 12, I think I cried every day for a year—for no obvious reason. I can look back on it and understand that a lot of changes were taking place in my body. But I also realize that those changes were no excuse for moodiness, mouthiness, and disrespect.

I'm still tempted to justify my sin. Maybe you can relate. As women, it's easy to make excuses for negative moods because of where they are in their monthly cycle or other challenges such as pregnancy or menopause.

Women do go through seasons that are emotionally and physically difficult. But this verse from 1 Thessalonians applies during every season of life and every time of the month:

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless . . . . The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it."

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Random Reading

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: What would happen if you randomly pulled things out of the refrigerator at lunchtime?

"What kind of sandwich are you eating?!"
"Looks like I've got some jelly, mustard, whipped cream, uh . . . something from a green container. Want a bite?"
"YUK!"

Nancy: As crazy as that sounds, we can take a similar approach when it comes to reading the Bible.

"Well, let's see. This is as good a spot as any. 'And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord . . .'"

Nancy: If we take parts of the Scripture out of context, we could miss the meaning altogether. We need to read systematically. Verses make sense in light of chapters. Chapters make sense in light of whole books.

If you're not in the habit of reading systematically, could I encourage you to choose one book of the Bible? Read it through to understand the big picture. Then carefully study it, and savor the details that you find.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Fletcher's Questions

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: I find it easy to rush right through a day without taking time to evaluate whether I'm doing the right things from the right motives. Sometimes I need to stop and examine my life.

The puritan writer, John Fletcher, used a series of questions to examine his heart.

Do I have pride?
Am I dead to all desire for praise?
Do I have the presence of God in my life?
Am I free from the fear of man?
Do I embrace the cross in every way it presents itself to me?

Nancy: It's important to take some time on a regular basis to stop and take stock and place our lives under God's divine searchlight.

Am I willing to give up my ease and my convenience to minister to others?
Am I ready to give up a point when I am contradicted?
Am I content with whatever is or may be, feeling that God, the Author of all events, does and will do all for my good?

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Great and Precious Promises

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

"We really felt like God wanted me to quit my job and focus on the needs of my family."

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: We all face moments of surrender to God's will.

"We're here in this new city where I don't know anybody. I know God wants us to be here, but I feel so lonely."

Nancy: When Abraham left everything behind to follow God, all he had to hold on to were the promises God had given him for children and land. For 25 years, Abraham never saw any evidence that the promise would be fulfilled. Sometimes we're called to persevere like that.

"I never expected marriage to be this hard."

Nancy: Second Peter says we have "exceeding great and precious promises." Like Abraham, when things look bleak, we can cling to those promises. If you're struggling to persevere, encourage your heart with the promises of God. And remind yourself that God always keeps His word.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Never Alone

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

"Did you play more video games at work today?"
"No, my boss was looking over my shoulder all day."

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: When someone's watching you, it has a way of affecting your behavior. We tend to be better behaved when we're with other people then when we're alone. But the apostle Paul reminds us that we're never truly alone. In 1 Timothy 5 he says, "I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions."

In other words, Jesus is watching. God is watching, and angels are watching. That should encourage us to obey.

So, the next time you find yourself alone and you're tempted to sin, remember that you're not alone. Even when it seems like no one else is around, you're still accountable to God. And He sees everything. In fact, that's what it means to live in the fear of the Lord.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Examine Yourself

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

"Yeah, I'm a good person. I'm a Christian. I've been a Christian since I was little."
"Yeah, I'm a Christian. I walked down an aisle when I was eight or maybe nine and repeated this prayer."
"I grew up in a Christian family so . . ."
"The preacher said I was saved forever—no matter what."

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: That's the mindset of a lot of people. Salvation is something that happens to you, and then you forget about it.

"Been there, done that."

Nancy: But the apostle Paul told the Corinthians, "Examine yourselves and make sure that you are in the faith." That verse implies that there's an ongoing examination in the life of every true believer. Someone who's been genuinely converted loves Christ so much that he doesn't want any kind of sin to get in the way of his relationship with the Lord.

Have you examined yourself recently? Are you in the faith? What evidence is there that you have an ongoing, life-changing relationship with Jesus?

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Washed

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Around your house does it seem like "washing up" never ends?

"As soon as I finish washing up after breakfast, it's time to dirty more dishes at lunch."

Nancy: It's been that way for thousands of years. We even read about it in stories of the Old Testament tabernacle.

Before he could enter the Holy Place, the priest had to offer an animal sacrifice for his sin. Then he would move to a bronze basin and wash his hands. He returned to that basin throughout the day because he kept needing to wash.

That's a picture of our relationship with God. Like that priest, we need a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus made that ultimate sacrifice on the cross. But also like that priest, our hands get dirty. We've been made right with God, yet we still sin.

That's why we need to be washed by the Word of God, over and over again. Are you letting His Word cleanse your heart each day?

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

An Excuse for Carnality

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: I remember being physically and emotionally wrung out during an intense speaking schedule. I'd become negative and hard to live with. And I justified my behavior because I was so exhausted.

Right at that moment a friend looked me in the eye and said, "Don't let tiredness be an excuse for carnality." That wasn't exactly what I wanted to hear at that moment, but it was just what I needed to hear.

You're going to face some exhausting moments this week. Maybe it feels like you don't do anything but make meals, clean up, take care of kids, pay bills, and fall into bed exhausted. It's okay to admit that you're tired. It's right to cry out to God in desperation. It's okay to ask people for help. But it's not okay to sin.

When your energy ends before your to-do list, remember this: "Don't let tiredness be an excuse for carnality."

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

The Prison of Expectations

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

"He has no idea what romance is."
"Would it hurt her to call once in a while?"

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Our expectations of people can be like a prison.

"When it comes to romance, he's got no clue."

Nancy: People will never fully meet our expectations. Perhaps you feel like someone has consistently let you down. Maybe it's time to give up your expectations of how they should serve you and focus instead on how you can serve them.

I remember having a hard time loving an individual life. A turning point came when I decided to release them from my idea of how they should love me. The relationship started to heal once I repented of my lovelessness and let God fill me with His love.

Is there someone locked in the prison of your expectations? Ask God to show you how to focus on meeting their needs rather than your own.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

C.L. Culpepper

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Dr. C.L. Culpepper was trying to work hard for God. As a missionary to China in the 1920s, he was meeting with other Christian leaders, praying that God would send revival. Yet he himself felt spiritually dry.

Finally, he prayed, "Lord, what is it in me?" That's an important question.

The next day he returned to the group of praying leaders and confessed his sin of pride. He loved to be praised as a "good missionary" and was stealing glory from God. His confession brought a spirit of brokenness to all of those believers and ultimately paved the way for the Shantung Revival. God answered their prayers, but first brought them to a place of brokenness.

We're all susceptible to spiritual pride. That's why we need to ask, "Lord, what is it in me?" Remember 1 Peter 5:6: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Preparing for a Meeting

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: If you had an important business meeting early in the morning, how would you prepare the night before?

"I'd go over my notes. I'd really want to know the material."

Nancy: In the book of Exodus, we read about an important morning meeting that Moses attended. God said to Moses, "Be ready in the morning, and come up to Mount Sinai, and present yourself to me."

What an incredible opportunity Moses had to meet with God Himself! And you know what? You have the same opportunity. The most important Person in the whole universe wants to get together with you. He met with Moses on the mountain. He'll meet with you through His Word and prayer.

I've found that preparing the night before helps me to keep this important appointment. So, instead of staying up to watch the news or the late night talk shows, why not spend the last part of your evening listening to godly music or meditating on Scripture?

You've been invited to an important morning meeting. How can you prepare tonight?

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

The Ways of God

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: A lot of people know about God.

"Well, He created things."

Nancy: But knowing about God isn't the same as knowing God. Psalm 103:7 tells us that God "made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel."

The Israelites saw the acts of God; they saw Him send the plagues on the Egyptians; they saw Him part the Red Sea, but they didn't know the ways of God.

On the other hand, Moses had a passion for God. He was willing to get away and spend time alone waiting for God to speak. Moses didn't just know God's acts; Moses knew God and His ways.

You and I have God's Word in the pages of the Bible. His ways are available to us. But like Moses, we have to make a choice to get away, slow down, and allow Him to show us His ways. Have you done that today?

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Woe is Me

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: The prophet Isaiah took a look at the people around him and discovered a lot of sin.

"Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes. Woe to those who call evil good and good evil."

Nancy: In the first five chapters of Isaiah, Isaiah preaches to those who are materialistic, the sensual, and immoral.

"Woe to those who rise early that they may run after strong drink."

Nancy: Then we come to chapter six where Isaiah encounters God in a new way. He has a vision of the holiness of God, and it totally changes his perspective.

"Woe is me! For I am lost."

Nancy: When Isaiah compared himself to the depraved people all around him, he ended up looking pretty good. But the pure light of God's holiness exposed the nooks and crannies of his heart.

When's the last time you reflected on the holiness of God? When you do, you'll probably want to respond in repentance.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Third Street

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: I once heard the story of a church deacon who lived in a small town and for years had refused to drive down Third Street. He was angry with a man who lived on that street because of a church split that had happened ten years earlier.

Then God visited this deacon's church in revival. As God moved, the leadership realized they had not handled things correctly during the split. So a group of about 40 people from the mother church visited those who had broken away. They humbled themselves and said, "We've sinned against you. Will you please forgive us?"

Do you know the first place that deacon went right after God set him free from those years of bitterness? You got it—Third Street.

Is there someone you refuse to talk with because of some issue in the past? Do what this man did: Humble yourself, and seek forgiveness for your part. It's the way to true freedom.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

The First Hour

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: How do you spend the first hour of your day?

"Well, after I hit the snooze alarm, about three times, I'm usually rushing around the house getting the kids ready, getting breakfast done. I turn on the radio really quick and check the weather, and then we're out the door!"

Nancy: Psalm 5 says, "In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."

My dad really modeled that verse for me. Early in his Christian life he was challenged to spend the first hour of his day in the Word of God and in prayer. And he did. Even though he was a businessman with a hectic schedule, he never missed one single day until the day he went home to be with the Lord, 28 years later. The image of my dad on his knees has had a profound impact on my walk with the Lord.

What kind of example are you setting for those around you? If your relationship with God is your highest priority, are you showing it in the way you spend your time?

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Great Memory

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

" I've got to look up the Davison's number."
"Oh, I know it. It's 333-36 . . ."

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: We memorize all the time.

"So if you take I-630 to exit 41, then turn left at Dippy Burgers . . ."

Nancy: We remember information that we use or think about a lot.

"No, that movie was directed by Frank Capra. It came before It's a Wonderful Life."

Nancy: So, why does it seem so hard to memorize the most important things?

"Oh, I'm so bad at memorizing Scripture."
"Yeah, I just can't remember it."

Nancy: Memorizing the Word of God will cleanse and renew your mind. It'll help keep you from sin. It'll help you say no to your flesh, and it will protect you from wrong thinking patterns. You can memorize more than you realize.

"Okay, I'll quiz you first. Let me hear it."
"Psalm 119:97. Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day."

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Control Freaks

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: When we try to assert too much authority, we can get stuck with an unfortunate label.

"My boss is such a control freak!"

Nancy: If you or I tried to bring the whole planet under our control, we'd certainly be called a control freak. Yet in Scripture we see that God is in charge of everything. He insists on "world domination." And you know what? It is entirely appropriate. Why? because He's God, and we're not.

Listen to these words from Acts 17:24-25: "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else."

When God asks us to surrender our lives to Him, it's not because He's a control freak. He's the rightful owner and the only one who has the ability to truly direct every detail of our lives.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

An Exciting Word

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: What comes to mind when I say, "Modesty?"

"It's kind of a boring connotation."
"Fully covered—almost not wanting to have any style to their dress."

Nancy: Modesty can sound like an idea that's out of date, but actually, it's wonderful.

Modesty brings you peace. You can rest knowing you're being obedient to God.
Modesty gives you power. You'll be free from constantly changing fads.
Modesty provides protection. You'll be less likely to get the wrong kind of attention from the wrong kind of men.
Modesty promotes purity. You'll be more likely to get the right kind of attention from the right kind of guys.
Modesty leads to praise. Others will value you for inward qualities, more than unreliable physical characteristics.

Remember what God's Word says: "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Perspective

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: I'll never forget years ago at my brother's funeral when one speaker said, "It's not wrong to ask God why, as long as we ask not with a clenched fist but with a searching heart."

I think David has a searching heart in Psalm 10:1. He looks at the pain and evil in the world and says, "Why, O Lord, do you stand afar off?"

But halfway through the psalm he moves from an earthly perspective to an eternal one. He says, "You, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand." Then he goes on to say, "O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry" (verses 14, 17).

From our earthly perspective, we sometimes wonder why certain things happen. But God will never let our pain and suffering go on longer than needed. Would you ask God to give you an eternal perspective today?

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Responsible

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: All of us are going to experience hurt in this life.

"How could she lie like that? I thought we were so close."
"I'll never forget what that teacher said that day. I was so embarrassed."

Nancy: All of us will be wronged. All of us will go through pain. But we don't all have to be victims.

"Ever since that day, I've never gotten up to speak in front of another group."

Nancy: Are you being held captive by some aspect of your past? Here's the bad news: As deep as that hurt is, you're still responsible for how you respond. But here's the good news: You don't have to be a hopeless victim. God can give you grace to respond with forgiveness and healing.

Ask Him to give you the power to forgive. And then ask Him for the power to move forward without being held hostage by your past.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Be Still

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: "Be still and know that I am God." That's a popular phrase from the Bible—one you've probably heard. But did you know that verse was written in a context a lot like ours? It's from Psalm 46, which says, "The nations raged; the kingdoms were moved" (verse 6). It describes great international turmoil.

But God is involved in the world. Verse 9 says, "He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two." That's a promise that one day God will bring an end to all war.

So what are we to do in the meantime? Let go. Don't try to take control or figure everything out. Sometimes we just need to turn off the TV news and listen to what God has to say through His Word. "Be still and know that I am God."

When was the last time you were still before Him?

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

A Heart Checkup

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: You wouldn't trust a doctor who performed a checkup based only on outward appearances.

"Well, you look pretty healthy to me. Let's not run any tests."
"Wow, Doc. Thanks!"

Nancy: If your cholesterol is high or there's blockage in your arteries, you need to know. You want some tests to determine what's happening on the inside.

Should we be any less concerned about our spiritual heart condition? We all have a history of spiritual heart disease. It's not what's on the outside that counts. We need to let God examine us on the inside and diagnose those things we can't see for ourselves.

Jesus came to do radical heart surgery—to cleanse and transform us from the inside out by the power of His death and resurrection.

Why not make an appointment with the Great Physician? Let Him examine your heart in the light of His Word.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

A Downward Spiral

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: I remember being in a meeting once where someone made some statements about me that were very damaging—at least I thought so. When I got home, I began to let vindictive thoughts take root in my mind. I fell into a downward spiral of anger and self-pity. I was listening to lies like these:

They were trying to hurt me.
I can't forgive.

The next day I started reading the Bible where I had left off the day before in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful. . . . Blessed are the peacemakers. . . . If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. . . . If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."

I began to speak the truth to myself. I knew I had to forgive.

You'll be tempted to listen to some lies today. Have you spent time in the Word of God so you can counter these lies with the truth?

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

The Law of the Harvest

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Galatians 6 says, "Whatever one sows, that will he also reap. The one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life" (verses 7-8).

For better or for worse, most of the patterns in my life today are the fruit of choices I made years ago. The books I read, the people I spent time with, the way I responded to authority, the way I spent my free time, my study habits—all those things affect me now.

In the same way, the choices we make today will affect us down the road. Every sinful, selfish, or indulgent act is sowing a seed that will reap a multiplied harvest. But every act of obedience is a seed that will bless us and those around us.

What kinds of seeds are you going to plant today?

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

The Angels Rejoice

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Every time we repent of our sin, there's a celebration in heaven. Jesus said, "There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

The angels are thrilled because God is being exalted. His will is being done on earth as it is in heaven.

That means the angels rejoiced in 1963 when, as a small girl, I repented of my sin and trusted Jesus to be my Savior.

I think the angels continue to rejoice every time I repent. For instance, when I don't control my tongue and the Lord convicts me, I believe the angels rejoice when I confess my sin.

Once we confess our sins for the first time, we need to live in a continuing lifestyle of repentance. Would you ask God to show you any sin in your life? And remember, you can give the angels a reason to celebrate today.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Examining Our Habits

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Jonathan Edwards was used by God in a powerful way during the First Great Awakening in the 1700s. When Edwards was a young man, God was preparing this servant and dealt with him even over the issue of eating and drinking. Here's what Edwards wrote:

"Resolved, to inquire every night before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking."

Nancy: You may think, I'm not sure I want to think about that before I go to bed. Why should that be something we examine every night? But Edwards's supreme purpose in life was to glorify God. He understood the words of 1 Corinthians 10:31: "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

"Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking."

Nancy: Have you resolved to glorify God in every habit of your life?

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Every Thought Captive

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Do you ever find that when you sit down to pray, a thousand distracting thoughts cross your mind? The English poet John Donne described this problem well. Here's what he said:

A memory of yesterday's pleasures,
A fear of tomorrow's dangers,
A straw under my knee,
A noise in my ear,
A light in mine eye,
An anything,
A nothing,
A fancy,
A chimera in my brain,
Troubles me in my prayer.

Nancy: Can you relate? I've found that it takes some time to get a quiet heart before the Lord. Sometimes I start by singing a worship chorus or reading a psalm out loud and asking the Lord to settle my heart.

When I'm struggling to concentrate, I also ask God to help me do what's described in 2 Corinthians 10:5: "We are to take every thought captive to obey Christ."

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

The Angels Praise

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Have you noticed that images and stories of angels have been really popular over the last few years? We've all seen paintings for sale in gift shops that show angels as chubby babies with wings, but God didn't create angels so that we could have cute decorations. He created them to be powerful agents of His will.

In Psalm 103 all of creation is told to bless the Lord. At the end of the passage the Psalmist says, "Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the Lord, all His heavenly hosts, you servants who do His will" (verse 20).

You can see here that angels are mighty and powerful. But they apply their strength to God's glory. You and I were created for the same thing. Like the angels, are you living for God's glory today—using all your strength to do His will?

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Tormentors

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: You've probably heard the story Jesus told of the servant who owed a king a huge amount of money. The king forgave the servant, but that servant refused to forgive someone else who owed him a small amount.

The king found out about it and was angry. Jesus said that the king "turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed." One translation says, "He turned him over to tormentors."

When we refuse to forgive, God turns us over to tormentors. I think those can include the chronic emotional and physical disorders that many women experience. In some cases those problems come from unforgiveness. You see, God never intended that our bodies should hold up under the weight of bitterness and unforgiveness.

Is there some debt you're still trying to collect? Do you want to be free from the torment? Then choose to cancel the debt and forgive.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Little Thing

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Sometimes God deals with people over issues that seem insignificant. For example, I heard about a woman who went into a supermarket and asked forgiveness for keeping money when the store had undercharged her. God had been visiting her church in revival, and she was convicted that this was stealing.

The worker laughed and said, "You're the seventh person who's been in here this morning." God was definitely doing something in the lives of His people.

Can you imagine what would happen if those of us who sit in church on Sunday mornings would go into the community on Monday mornings making things right? If we were to truly clear our consciences and reconcile our relationships, we would be showing the power of the gospel.

Is there something in your life that needs to be dealt with? Maybe you're thinking, It was just some small change. What will people think? They may just think that God is real and alive in your life.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Morning Choices

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: What do you do early in the morning?

"I hit the Snooze button."

Nancy: In Genesis 28 we read that Jacob rose early in the morning to make a vow to God at Bethel.

"I usually flip on the news, check the weather."

Nancy: God told Moses, "Be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto Mount Sinai."

"Morning? What's that?"

Nancy: David rose early in the morning for worship, prayer, and meditation.

"The first thing I do is get coffee in the bloodstream!"

Nancy: On the first Easter Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb where Jesus had been buried. And that's where they met the risen Lord!

You can meet Him too. There's no better time than the first, uninterrupted minutes of every day.

Tomorrow morning, would you set aside the first moments of your day and get alone with God in His Word and in prayer? Remember, you don't have to go through your day alone.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

A Sad Cycle

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Over and over again I've seen a destructive cycle that leads women into bondage. First, a lie is planted in our mind.

"When I was six, I don't remember who said it, but I was told that I had no right to be born."

Nancy: Instead of countering the lie with the truth of God's Word, we dwell on it and start to believe it.

"I thought I was stupid—that I wasn't normal."

Nancy: Eventually we act on the lie . . .

"I withdrew and had a really hard time talking with people."

Nancy: . . .and we find ourselves in bondage.

"I wanted to go to sleep and never wake up."

Nancy: Now, here's the truth. When God sent Jesus to this earth to bear your sin, He declared the value of your soul to be greater than the value of the whole world. First John says, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"

And that's the truth.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

A Flood and a River

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: We can't live without water. But water can also be deadly. We see this contrast in Psalm 46. The psalmist describes the trouble that comes into our lives as a flood. But in the middle of this crisis, there's a source of help, also represented by water.

The psalmist says, "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God" (46:4). Now, there's no literal river that runs through Jerusalem. The psalmist isn't talking about a natural river. He's saying that when floods come into our lives, there is a source of joy. The presence of God is like a river that calmly and consistently flows into our lives, giving us everything we need.

Are there some troubled waters in your life? Ask God to lead you to the peaceful, flowing river of His presence. As the psalmist says, "His presence can make you glad—even in the flood."

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Selflessly

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: I'll never forget calling my friend Janiece Grissom as she suffered from the effects of Lou Gehrig's disease. She'd say, "Nancy, you've been on my heart! How can I pray for you?" Janiece couldn't move her arms or legs, and it was hard for her to speak and breathe. But her focus was on glorifying God by serving other people.

Janiece went into the hospital when she stopped being able to swallow. Right at the end of her life, her husband, Tim, told me, "Janiece still spends most of her waking hours praying for other people." A few hours after that conversation, Janiece was in the presence of the Lord.

She died the way she had lived—selflessly loving God and others. Her sole desire, as expressed by the apostle Paul, was that "now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death."

Is that your desire? Are your actions showing it today?

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Nine Reasons to Pray

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

"When I pray, I'm really only asking God for help."

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: How much time do you spend praising God?

"I don't really get around to praising Him very much.

Nancy: Are you taking time to praise God? Here are nine reasons why we should develop a lifestyle of praise:

God loves praise and is looking for worshipers.
Praise is the primary occupation of Heaven. We'll do it for eternity.
God commands us to praise Him.
He deserves our worship and praise.
We were created to bring Him pleasure and praise Him.
Praise takes us into His presence.
Praise is a cure for spiritual dryness.
It defeats Satan.
Praise sets us free from spiritual bondage.

Are you doing what you were created to do? Be sure to spend some time today just praising God.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

A Daily Supply

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

"Ohhh, I'm stuffed!"

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: We eat and get full, but then a funny thing happens the next day.

"Ohhh, I'm so hungry!"

Nancy: Our bodies need food every day. When God provided manna in the desert, He told the children of Israel, "I will rain bread from heaven for you, and the people will go out and gather a day's portion every day."

Each person had to gather his own manna, and he couldn't save any overnight, except the day before the Sabbath. Collecting the bread was a daily thing.

That's a picture of our relationship with the Word of God. Just like our bodies, our souls require daily food. I cannot become the woman God wants me to be if I'm not spending time in His Word each day. Yesterday's nourishment isn't good enough. I need a fresh taste today.

When is the last time you filled up on the Word of God?

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Raising the Bar

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

"I can overlook the little things pretty easily, but nobody can forgive everything. Can they?"

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Colossians 3:13 says, "As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." That raises the bar pretty high, doesn't it? We're to forgive the same way God has forgiven us. How has God forgiven us?

The Psalmist tells us, "As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."

God's forgiveness is complete. It's permanent. It's unconditional. And here's what I love most—it's undeserved. We can't earn it, work for it, or perform harder to get it. It's all because of God's grace.

Do you have trouble forgiving? Maybe you need to spend some time thinking about how much God has forgiven you.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Transformed by the King's Love

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: The Song of Solomon tells the story of a king who decided to find a bride.

"Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away . . ."

Nancy: To everyone's surprise, instead of choosing one of the wealthy, well-educated young women of the city, he went out into the country and chose an ordinary peasant girl to be his bride.

The peasant girl was shocked that the king would be attracted to her. She'd been out working in the fields, and her skin was rough and sunburned.

"Do not stare at me because I am dark."

Nancy: By the end of the story, that young peasant girl became a lovely, radiant queen. As she spent time alone with the bridegroom, she took on his characteristics.

Do you know that the same thing happens to us when we spend time alone with our heavenly Bridegroom? When we spend time in prayer and in the Word of God, we're being transformed by Christ's love.

Have you spent time with your King today?

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

What Is a Saint?

info@seekinghim.com (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Who do you think is qualified to be a saint?

"Someone who acts really holy all the time."
"They're really good people."
"They can't do anything fun."
"All I know about 'saints' is the football team!"

Nancy: The apostle Paul didn't reserve the word saint to describe someone who was unusually holy. In many of his letters, he addressed all believers as saints.

A lot of the people he was writing to were acting like anything but saints. They were guilty of being divisive, bitter, immoral, and selfish, but Paul called them saints—because they were.

Their sinful hearts had been washed by the blood of Jesus. So in effect he was saying, "Because you are saints, live like saints."

If you're a child of God, did you know that you are a saint? You are. So the question is, are you living like a saint—actively pursuing holiness and growing into the image of Christ?

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.