STEP 5: Seek

/ Gail Johnson / 7 Comments

Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. 1 Chronicles 16:11 (KJV)

Let’s review the 5 STEPS for Success in 2025 before looking at the fifth and final step.

  1. Sing
  2. Track
  3. Encourage
  4. Persevere
  5. Seek

Our last step, as you can see, is the word seek. Seek in Hebrew means “to inquire of,” “to ask,” or “to seek,” conveying the idea of “going to see,” personally verifying something said, or “searching for.” KJV Study Bible

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication to strive after: – ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for). Strong’s Concordance

Notice the “personally verifying something said.”

One who seeks is called a seeker. A seeker goes in search of something. I cannot seek for you no more than you can seek for me. We must seek for ourselves.

Seek what?

I chose the words Lord, wisdom, and truth for this post.

SEEK THE LORD

In today’s world, we can become overwhelmed by the news, family situations, and financial responsibilities. The good news is the Lord promises when we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him. He is the great I AM. And He will supply the need.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

With all your heart is important. A seeker’s heart is seeking something or someone. It is consumed with the subject. They will not quit until they find what they’re looking for.

Find is the result—reward.

The word when is not a time stamp. It describes the moment our hearts are prepared to find the answer. I’m sure you’ve had moments when your heart was no longer focused on things of the world or yourself.

If you don’t, hang on. They’re coming.

SEEK WISDOM

First Kings has one of my favorite verses about God’s care for His people. David is dead, and a young Solomon is appointed king. The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, “Ask what I shall give thee.”

Imagine the Lord offering you the same gift. What would you say?

Even as a young boy, Solomon knew he needed help to govern the people.

“…I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. …Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?”

Read the whole conversation at 1 Kings 3:5-15.

We are wise when we understand we need the Lord’s help. Many situations can leave a person scratching their heads nowadays. But if we rely on the Lord, He will guide us to the perfect solution.

SEEK TRUTH

Social media has been filled with conflicting stories for the longest. Lately, I feel like a parent listening to several kids tell their side of the story while trying to figure out which one to believe. For instance . . .

Last week, people became upset over a video and began sharing it. And I mean sharing it! It was everywhere. The problem was the clip told half the story. People were in a panic.

No, I didn’t share. And no, it wasn’t a political post. It was about ebooks. My heart went out to everyone who didn’t understand what was happening. Curious, I searched for the truth and found articles explaining the entire matter. By then, several people were sharing articles. Whew!

That incident made my heart heavy. Ebooks may seem trivial to some, but ebooks are not the only reason people are upset. Fake news. Fake pictures. Fake people. These days, we cannot believe everything we see and hear. We must seek the truth! We should look out for each other.

I didn’t have anyone looking out for me when I entered the online world years ago. I shared what I thought to be a cry for help. Not true. Someone had taken an old photo of a war-torn district and misled the viewer about another situation. Boy, did I get lambasted for my ignorance! Now, I question everything.

The following scripture should guide us in what we say, think, and do.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

SEEKING IN 2025

There are more good things to seek in 2025. Things like peace, justice, reconciliation, the hurting, and the lost. What would you add to the list?

Let us seek the Lord and His will like never before in 2025.

Until next time…

STEP 4: Perseverance

/ Gail Johnson / 7 Comments

Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
2 Chronicles 15:7 (KJV)

If you have worked toward a goal, you know some things are quickly obtained while others may take a little longer. That’s when perseverance becomes necessary to reach the finish line.

To persevere means to continue in some effort or course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. To be steadfast in purpose.

In spite of has been my word(s) for a while. In fact, this post is an “in spite of” moment. Though I’m late, I made it! Psst! February has been that kind of month. 😊

STEP 4: Perseverance

As I thought about this step, I wanted to know the difference between perseverance and persistence. I found out persistence can be negative, while perseverance can be positive.

For instance, when we hear of a persistent child, we usually associate them with not listening when they are told no. Not taking no for an answer is acceptable if you’re trying to achieve a good outcome. Not so good when someone harasses you for whatever reason.

On the other hand, perseverance refers to people who have endured hardships or difficult circumstances to achieve their goals.

Examples in American History

The Wright brothers worked on their plane for four years before taking the first flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in 1903

According to The Franklin Institute, it took Thomas Edison and his associates two years (1878-1880) to invent the incandescent bulb. Of course, that was after working on 3000 ideas to go about it.

Western writer Louis L’Amour’s manuscripts were rejected 200 times before Bantam Publishers gave him a contract. After selling 330 million books, he became their best-selling author. I have quite a few in my library.

Edison’s Lightbulb – fi.edu | Bestsellers Initially Rejected – litrejections.com

Examples in Biblical History

Moses led a passel of people through the desert for 40 years in spite of their constant complaining.

Paul finished his race in spite of the beatings, stonings, and rejection by his own people.

Jesus fulfilled the Father’s will in spite of rejection by His own people, false accusations, beatings, and the cross.

Wrap-Up

I hope you garnered a basket of courage from the examples given above. A goal worth achieving is going to take time and effort. To succeed, we must keep pushing ahead in spite of the obstacles.

Keep moving forward.

Winner

Congratulations to Melissa Henderson for winning Sandra Byrd’s devotional!

Step 3: Encourage

/ Gail Johnson / 10 Comments

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 (KJV)

Good afternoon! The third step in 5 STEPS to Success in 2025 is Encourage.

Encourage means to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope – Merriam Webster Dictionary

Everyone likes a little encouragement now and then, right?

In fact, we need encouragement because we live in a world of comparisons. We compare food, books, movies, clothes, and achievements. This competitive society often leaves us feeling less than. How can we not think life isn’t fair?

That is not an encouraging opening. But as I researched how encouraging others affects us, my mind kept circling back to why we withhold our encouragement. So this post isn’t like the first two, but a needful reminder to be on our guard when we can’t offer congratulations for a job well done or encourage another on their journey.

Let’s look at why we may feel unable to offer encouragement.

Reasons We May Withhold Encouragement

The first two reasons that leap to mind are jealousy and covetousness

Jealousy – envious of someone’s accomplishments or possessions

Covetous – not only jealous but also a resentful longing for what they have

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

Other reasons for withholding encouragement may include an injustice or what we perceive as an injustice. Author Sandra Byrd shares a perfect example of this in her one-year devotional.

“The runners did not start at the same place—some were farther ahead than others, and the final racer seemed to be starting way behind. Their starting spots were staggered.
It seemed unfair.
I looked it up, and the staggering was actually a means to make the race fair. Each runner’s race was marked out, and by staggering the lanes, it ensured that the runners on the outside did not have to run farther than those on the inside.”  Experiencing God’s Love, A Year of Abundance | Sandra Byrd | Used by permission

Think about that for a moment. When I read the devotion, I questioned my judgment. How many times have I misjudged a situation because I perceived an injustice?

If we believe we are created by God and our purpose is found in God, then we should also trust His ways are just.

My journey is not your journey. We all have our roads to travel. Mine may be more circuitous than yours. You may reach the end before I do. That is definitely true when it comes to writing. 😊But the Lord is Faithful and True. He is a just God, and He is on this journey with us.

He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. Deuteronomy 32:4

Something to Ponder

What if Moses was jealous of Joshua? What if Peter had been envious of Paul? Now, think about what these four men accomplished by running their own race. Moses helped Joshua. Peter spoke of Paul in his letters. All four finished their race!

Truth

Yes, things do seem a little distorted at times. Just as we cannot trust our emotions, the same goes for our sight. We are not God. We do not see the same picture. Let’s trust the Lord, obey His commandments, and encourage one another! Even when that encouragement seems to stick in our throats, do it! I promise you’ll feel better. 😉

Giveaway

I’m offering an ebook copy of Sandra’s devotion. Leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway. U. S. entries only.