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[0:00] Hallelujah. We thank God you've tuned into this message by David Entry at Caris Church. No hand can help you with the fulfillment of your destiny but the Word of God.

[0:11] May God's hand align you further into your destiny through this word. Euteronomy chapter 26 verse 5. And he sought God in the days of Zechariah who had understanding in the visions of God.

[0:27] And as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper. And he went forth and warred against the Philistines and break down the wall of Gath and the wall of Jabneh and the wall of Ashdod and their cities about Ashdod and, sorry, and built cities about Ashdod and among the Philistines.

[0:54] And God held him against the Philistines and against the Arabians that dwelt in Geba and the Mehunims.

[1:07] Here ends the reading of God's Word. The key principle is he sought. And talking about Uzziah, he sought God in the days of Zechariah who had understanding and visions of God.

[1:22] And as long as he sought God, God made, that's what I was saying. When you walk with God, you don't become a failure in life. You don't walk with God and be a failure in life.

[1:34] Anytime some sort of physical progress, natural progress and failure is lingering for so long, that means that somebody is not taking responsibility.

[1:50] Paul said, I am what I am by the grace of God. Nevertheless, I labored more abundantly. So, the grace that made me, I labored. He said, nevertheless, the grace was not in vain.

[2:02] So, you can have grace that will be in vain. And in courage, we really have to believe God for grace to work hard. Amen. Now, I'm just talking briefly about the blessedness of seeking God.

[2:15] Seeking God. You know, we finished fasting. We finished fasting and some people have finished pushing. I believe I heard God when he said that it's going to be a long journey of sweet struggles.

[2:29] So, you don't fold. It's like graduation. Some of you remember when you finish graduation, you close that textbook, you've never opened it again. When you finish your last exam, it was the end.

[2:42] But, unfortunately, the fasting was not like a project that you finish and leave. The fasting purpose was to lift us to come to a place where seeking God doesn't become a struggle as it used to.

[2:59] Do you understand? So, after the fasting, seeking God becomes a bit more easy or a bit more natural for you. We have to seek God.

[3:10] When we talk about seeking God, that means that you set your heart to pursue God. You are going after God.

[3:21] You want to get God. More of God. If you want more of God, that means that you have less of some things. In seeking God, temptation becomes weak in getting you.

[3:33] If you are weak in seeking God, temptation becomes strong in getting you. So, people who overcome temptation are not because they are super strong, but it's because they are seeking God stronger.

[3:50] Seek God. So, you have to put a system in place in your life that will help you in things like reading your Bible.

[4:02] That will help you in things like spending time with God in prayer. Live a normal life so that when you are fasting, it's actually a sacrifice. Yes. Yes.

[4:15] So, that when you are fasting, because some of you who normally by three, you have been eating. So, fasting, to you, it's not really a sacrifice, you know. Ah.

[4:26] Seeking God comes with a sacrifice. Some things must go. Some relationships might go. Some form of entertainment might go.

[4:38] But when you seek God, it comes with benefits. Psalm 63 verse 1. It said, early in the morning will I seek you.

[4:51] Put a system in place. You don't have to read 20 chapters a day to look powerful. If you can read one chapter a day and keep it consistent, you will be more powerful than the one who read 20 chapters or 30 chapters a day for three months and stopped.

[5:12] The blessing in our walking with God is not a hit and run. It's not once and for all. But continual doing it. Seeking God continual in Psalm 105 verse 4.

[5:26] 1 Chronicles 16 verse 11. Psalm 104 said, seek the Lord and his strength. Seek his face evermore. Some translations say continual.

[5:38] 1 Chronicles 16 verse 11. It says the same thing. Seek his face evermore. Some translations say continually. Not once and for all. Can you imagine if you set on your heart, in your heart to seek God's face constantly.

[5:53] By the time you are 30, how your life will be like. By the time you are 35, how your life will be. By the time you are 40. By the time you are 50. You are a celebrity on your own.

[6:08] And life is sweeter because when you see God, you will find him. Yes. When you see God, you will find him. In Isaiah chapter 55 verse 6.

[6:21] Isaiah chapter 55 verse 6. Let's not read it a lot. Let's go. Seek the Lord for the faith and the Lord for the faith and the Lord for the faith and the Lord for the faith and the Lord for the faith. There are times that you can take advantage of to pursue God.

[6:35] It says seek him while he may be found. This is a good time. This is a good time. We've just finished the fasting not too long ago. We have been having services. This is a good time. Seek him while he may be found. In John chapter 7 verse 34.

[6:48] Jesus said, you will seek me and you will not find me. Wow. That's a scary one. You will seek me and not find me. So, and Bible says, seek the Lord while he may be found.

[7:00] Seek him while he may be found. Pursue him while he is available. Deuteronomy chapter 4 verse 29. He says that, but from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.

[7:22] Don't do it half-heartedly. Do it with all your, don't do it for people to see. Some people, every little spiritual activity they do, they have to announce it.

[7:33] Sometimes, Jesus said, you've already received your reward. That's a serious one. Matthew chapter 6. He says that, don't do it for men to see because then you have already received your reward.

[7:44] But seek him while he may be found. In Jeremiah chapter 29 verse 13. In fact, starting from verse 11.

[7:55] I know that this is what God says. He said, for I know the thoughts I think towards you, saith the Lord. Thoughts of peace, not of evil. To give you, oh, oh.

[8:08] He said, I'm personally going to oversee how things end for you. God says, I'm personally going to do it. I'm personally going to do it.

[8:20] So, the scriptures say that, Jeremiah, I know the thoughts that I thought of you. They are of good, not of evil.

[8:31] To bring you to unexpected. Say, in my youthful days, these were some of the scriptures they gave to us. Yes. It's a standard scripture, you must know it. And we run our lives based on that scripture.

[8:44] I know every young person around us, you know, in our meetings. We knew the scripture often. I know the thoughts, Jeremiah 29 verse 11. I know the thoughts. God has thoughts about us.

[8:56] He has plans. Some translations say, I know the plans I have towards you. God has plans for you. Oh, I'm telling you. I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.

[9:07] Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. Say, that's my story. That's my story.

[9:17] All right. So, then the next verse. Let's go to the next verse. It says that, then shall ye call upon me and ye shall go and pray unto me and I will hear you.

[9:31] I will listen to you. Look at verse 13 and 14. And ye shall seek me and find me. Did you see that? God can be found. God can be found.

[9:45] In Isaiah, it says the God who hides himself. God wants us to seek him. God wants us to desire him. God can be found. He said, you will seek me and find me.

[9:57] And ye shall seek me and find me. When you shall search for me with all your heart. Look at the next verse 14. With all your heart. And I will be found of you, says the Lord.

[10:09] And I will turn away your captivity. I will gather you from all nations. Anything that has been delayed that has gone wrong in your life. This way you can talk about great exodus.

[10:20] I will gather you. I will oversee your progress. Amen. So, seek God. It's time for you to seek God.

[10:33] It's time to seek the Lord until it breaks. Until it rains righteousness on earth. It's time to seek the Lord. Tell us someone, it's time to seek the Lord. It's time to seek the Lord. You see, when you see God in Psalm 14 verse 2.

[10:49] He sits in heaven. God is in heaven. But it says that the Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men. To see if there were any that did under.

[11:00] And seek God. He just looks for those who seek him. He's looking for people who are making, pursuing God. Don't do it based on how others are doing it.

[11:12] Do it based on your own heart. I know I want to find God. You don't have to be a spooky person. You don't have to live in the forest.

[11:24] Do you understand that? That is why if you're a student. And you can't combine seeking God and passing exam. There's a problem. If you can't work.

[11:37] Go about your normal day to day business. And still seek God successfully. And balance the two. Something is wrong. You are not spiritual. Sound spirituality is all encompassing.

[11:51] It's holistic. Sound spirituality covers every aspect of your entire existence. Even how you treat your body. How can you say I'm seeking God?

[12:02] You are so close to God. And you don't like bathing. No, think about it. No, no, it's not right. Something is wrong. Something is wrong.

[12:14] So, so some, I'm about to go a little bit further. Should I? So, maybe the condition in your room. It's a reflection of your spirituality.

[12:32] It's a reflection of your spirituality. Your car. Inside. You know, sometimes when life is very busy.

[12:46] There are times you will live one or two things. But you yourself, when you see it, you feel uncomfortable. But if you are very comfortable. But if you are comfortable with death. In your house.

[12:57] In your room. On your bed. Fragments of biscuits and chocolate. You are the only one who is born again in your family. Every day your mother has been complaining. Your room is dirty.

[13:07] Your room is dirty. Before you became born again. It was like that. But after you are born again. It's surprising how some of us are comfortable with filth.

[13:20] Wait. Sometimes it might be your personality. But when you are born again. A few things gradually. You see that things are changing. It might not be overnight.

[13:31] But as you walk with God. As you seek God. It begins to show. Because you know. The state of your environment. Is a reflection of what something that is happening inside you.

[13:43] And that is also a reflection of where you will be going. Did you understand that? So it's important. Seek God. In Psalm 9 verse 10.

[13:55] And Psalm 10 verse 4. Psalm 9 verse 10. It says that. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee. Say amen. For thou Lord has not forsaken them that seek.

[14:07] If you seek God. Listen. God will never forsake. It doesn't matter what you are going through. God will never forsake you. He will never. The Bible says. He is near to those who seek him. Psalm 10 verse 4.

[14:19] This is what. The wicked. You see. Do you know who God considers wicked? The one who doesn't care about God. The wicked. Through the pride of his counselors. Will not seek after God. God is not in all his thoughts.

[14:32] He doesn't care about God. That's the wicked. I don't. I'm not. All this God. God thing. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. That's who God considers wicked. And in the idea of trouble. God will not help them.

[14:43] But those who seek God. He said. I know. Some of you. This scripture coming is heavy. You will love it. Are you ready for this? Psalm 27 verse 8.

[14:56] When you said. Seek ye my face. Quickly. Because if you are seeking God. And your fellowship with God.

[15:07] And your pursuit of God is strong. Don't forget that statement. Temptation becomes weak in your life. Never forget it. So if you are struggling. How many of you realize that during the fasting.

[15:18] You felt free from something. You felt free from all kinds of temptations. That in the past you used to struggle to deal with. During the fasting. Because when you get.

[15:28] When you walk with God. Or you are seeking God is stronger. Temptation is weaker. When you are seeking God is weaker. Temptation is stronger. So when you see you are struggling with this temptation.

[15:41] You have to check. Your state of heart with God. That has a way of strengthening you. None of us is Superman. Or Superwoman. It's our work with God that helps us.

[15:54] And it doesn't matter who you are. You can be so spiritual today. Especially now that the fasting has finished. You realize that certain temptations will hike. There will be a hike in temptations.

[16:07] There will be a surge. Okay. A surge in temptations. How many of you know it's true? It's true.

[16:19] There will be a surge in temptation. Why? It's not because Satan has gathered energy. That's how life works. Because you will feel you have accomplished something.

[16:31] So now you are relaxing. One great man of God said some time ago. He says that the greatest enemy of progress is success. Enemy too.

[16:41] Because you've succeeded. You stop pushing. That's the greatest. Because once you feel you have accomplished something. You have a sense of relaxation. Now let me pamper myself and have party.

[16:55] Let me relax. Chill out. Some of the things that help us in our pursuit of God. In our seeking God. Number one.

[17:07] Second Chronicles chapter 15. Verse 2, 3, 4. And he went out to meet Asa. And said unto him. Hear ye me, Asa.

[17:18] This is the prophet. The hand of the Lord. The spirit of the Lord came upon him. He went to tell Asa was the king. Hear me. And all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you. While ye be with him.

[17:30] And if you seek him. He will be found of you. But if you forsake him. People don't want to do God. And they want God to do them.

[17:44] It is there. If you forsake God. He will also forsake you. God doesn't have time for those who don't have time for him. It's there. Now verse 3 and 4.

[17:55] Look at verse 3 and 4. Now for a long season. Israel has been without the true God. And without a teaching priest. And without the law.

[18:08] When they are without a teaching priest. It will have an impact on the way they seek God. So number one. What helps you seek God.

[18:19] Is. Who your teacher is. And who you constantly listen to. What's your blessing in this season? Please don't be deceived.

[18:32] I am always listening. I am always listening. I am always listening. Anybody who doesn't constantly keep in the word coming.

[18:44] It can affect the quality of your ability to seek God. They are without a teaching priest. They are without a law. They are one you constantly listen to.

[18:55] Keep listening. You have to keep listening to message. Message. Message. Keep listening. Keep listening. Keep listening. Reading some books. Listening to message. And reading your Bible.

[19:07] It helps. It creates a certain atmosphere. And a certain, you know, impetus for you. It gives you some impetus.

[19:19] Some strength. You know. It's inertia. It has given you some inner strength.

[19:31] So. Who you keep listening to. Some of us. We only keep listening to worldly music. And you don't understand. You think you are hypocrite. Because of the way you are struggling with sin.

[19:44] You are struggling with lust. Lust comes naturally. Every one of us. We have different dimensions of lust. In different areas. Every one of us. Because lust is human.

[19:57] Jesus was tempted just like us. Because of the flesh. The flesh never gets tired of lust. Walk in the spirit. And you know. For the desires of the flesh. And they say.

[20:07] It says. Mortify the deeds of the flesh. Okay. In Colossians. And so. The flesh will always be at rife. So. To be able to deal with it. You need to build up your inner man.

[20:20] Your inner man. In Ephesians chapter 3 verse 16. Inner man. Understand. Inner man. When your inner man is built up. And is strong. You won't feel ashamed. Sometimes. There's nothing to hide.

[20:31] From people. There's nothing to hide. Somebody say. Can I see your photo? You don't mind. Take it. No problem. No problem. You can have it. Have it. We want to open YouTube for somebody.

[20:42] Oh. Let me open it. You go to the search. And there are no strange search. Or Instagram. Instagram. Instagram has a very bad. This. I've got to do search here. You go and seek it.

[20:56] You search something. Then it spots your record. You're always hiding your phone from people. If there's something you always have to keep in secret. That means you're not living in the secret place of God.

[21:09] Yeah. Yeah. There's always something you have to keep secret. But a time is coming. It's progressive. A time is coming when there's nothing to hide. Do you understand what I'm saying?

[21:21] Some of us. By God's grace. Strive. At least. Now that we've started a new year. Strive that there will not be anything to hide. Because it's really a great exodus.

[21:36] People can't say it. Great exodus. Okay. Let me have. I really have to stop now. So. Number one. Teach it. Number two.

[21:48] Let's look at the text again quickly. Second Chronicles chapter 15. Look at verse four. But when they in their trouble turned unto the Lord.

[22:00] Do you see that? You see the road trouble plays? Yes. Afflictions and challenges have a way of making you see God. Yeah. How many of you have heard some bad news before and you really went to see God?

[22:13] Yeah. All of us. Yeah. So. Challenges. Affliction. Troubles. They have a way of making you see God. When you go to the doctors.

[22:24] You hear very bad news. They said. You have to come back. We have to confirm. But it looks like ABC. The bad one. You'll be in church early. Yeah. Yeah. And.

[22:35] Actually. It's smart to do that. It's smart to go closer to God for help. In time of crisis. It's good to call on the name of the Lord in the time of trouble.

[22:48] So sometimes. Troubles and challenges and problems. Help people to see God. Some people. When they are not wise. In the time of trouble. They don't see God. Yes. That's a different story.

[23:00] But some of us. We seek God. When we are in trouble. When trouble comes. Right. So. Your teacher. Your teachers. Your troubles. And then. But let me tell you what happened.

[23:11] Look at verse 12. And. They entered into a covenant. To seek the Lord God of their fathers. With all their hearts. And with all their. Can you imagine?

[23:22] They determined. Enter into a covenant. That you will push towards God. Don't wait for pastor to check. On you. Or people to check on you. Have you read your Bible?

[23:32] No. Go above that. This thing is personal. You are seeking God. Don't wait to. Don't be doing things and hiding. Because. It will show with time.

[23:45] As we are all seeking God. Those who are not doing it properly. You give us a few. A few days. A few months. A few years. You will see. It will be showing. It will be showing. It's like a school.

[23:56] Every time you go and hide in the life. You are not studying. You are playing video game. No problem. Results will come. Yeah. There is a version of the kind of results will show. Alright.

[24:07] So take it upon yourself. And say they entered a covenant. Say I will enter a covenant. With the Lord. To seek the Lord. They entered a covenant to seek the Lord.

[24:19] Of their father. With all their hearts and all. Look at the next verse. And then. This is the next point. Anyone who is not doing it. Here. They said. They had to. It says that.

[24:29] Whosoever will not seek the Lord. God of Israel. Will be put to death. You have to. You have to. Put some relationships to death. Yeah. Association number three.

[24:44] The effectiveness. The effectiveness of your seeking. God has a lot to do with your association. Association. Association is primary. It's key. It's key.

[24:55] In how people turn out. In life. Association. Association. Who are your body bodies? Who are your allies? Who do you keep talking with regularly?

[25:08] After this fast. You should have been quick to know that. No. I'm not. This person is no more my body body. Look at the verse 14. And they swore unto the Lord with a loud voice.

[25:21] And with shouting. And with trumpets. And with conets. Look at the next verse. Verse 15. And all Judah rejoiced at the oath. For they had sworn with all their hearts.

[25:33] And sought him with their whole desire. And he was found of them. And the Lord. That will be your story. So number one is what? Number two.

[25:44] Troubles. Number two what? Troubles. Troubles and challenges. Number three? Troubles. Association. Number four? Amen. It's personal determination.

[25:56] Amen. Did you receive something? Amen. Thank you for listening to this message by David Entry. We pray you have been strengthened and enlightened. You can connect with David Entry on all relevant social media platforms.

[26:11] Including Instagram and LinkedIn. You can also hear more messages from David Entry on all relevant streaming platforms. And the Caris Church app. Don't forget to like and share the message.

[26:22]  Be blessed. You can networked.