TO BE THE GENERATION OF SEEKERS



 

copyright(c)2015 Daneille Gray Snowden

2015 

TO BE THE GENERATION OF SEEKERS

AFTER GOD

by Daneille Gray Snowden [Always inspired by the Holy Spirit.]

 

 This morning in my devotions (that usually turns into an all out Bible exposition); I was digging into Ps. 24:6 "This is the generation of them that seek Him, that seek thy face..."  Reading the entire chapter, my spirit was drawn to this vital need for all the church of Jesus Christ. THIS GENERATION; is referring to ALL... not just the children of Israel; but all who INDEED seek the Face of God...with PURENESS IN THEIR HEARTS AND LIFE (verse 4).

 

Remember that the author David, was known as a man after God's own heart, even though he failed many times: he would turn back in repentance and seek his God.

 

To God TRUE SEEKERS are held in high regard. Peering into the different aspects of seeking God, we learn that:

Seeking Him: sanctifies & influences (Jer. 33:2-3)       /       Seeking Him: (by communicating with Him) purifies. Leading us to purge ourselves of filth.  /  Seeking Him: Awakens our souls to seek Him above everything else.

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 Proverbs 8:17               

"I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me."

 

To the Jewish people, to seek meant to be face to face with someone or thing. It was and is deliberate; eye to eye and heart to heart contact. In this verse it specifies this very attribute: "...seek Thy face..." In the Hebrew; Presence means 'face'. Seek His face...but also we FACE Him.

His Face: Is His personal character.

Psalm 27:8               
"You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” 
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My friend to SEEK God is setting our minds and hearts on God, by fixing our attention plus affections toward Him.

In the Hebrew Seek is 'Darash' which means to enquire, require, resort to, frequent, demand, study, follow and sought.  

Think on this; to pray and intercede is vital, and truly needed...BUT - to SEEK is what changes us; this is what draws us into a deeper realm with our Abba Father. As we SEEK... i.e. FACE our God, wow -- think of all that can transpire within and without our being.

 

Deuteronomy 4:29                      

"But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul."

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HOW TO?

Jeremiah 29:13               

"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

What happens when we SEEK the presence of God?
1) When in need of direction  - He Shows light!
2) In weakness - He gives strength.
3) When troubled - His grace comes through His Presence.
4) Perplexed - His Presence places our heart at large...He stills and settles the heart & mind.

Jeremiah 29:12-14               

"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."

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As we all may know, by definition GENERATION means people born and living at the same time period. It averages around 30 years; from when we are born to adulthood when we have our own children.

In the Hebrew it is Toledoth: descendants & Dor: dwelling .

It occurs 137 x's in the Word of God (132x plural). In the Greek; it is Genea (a noun) a class that means 'who have been begotten'.

My favorite is from 1 Peter 2:9 when he speaks of the 'CHOSEN GENERATION': and the Greek definition for generation is genos which is kin, kindred all from the same stock!



 

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:"

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When we SEEK our God; we do with all our hearts, soul and mind. He has our attention; there is nothing else to think or seek. He is it! Our minds; (called a Battlefield by many) can be troubling when we long to SEEK our Lord with our entire being; i.e. with our minds. Some days are more difficult than others seeking the Lord, as we become distracted with all sorts of matters troubling our minds. Yet, God is able as we are in total surrender to live for Him in all ways to BRING OUR THOUGHTS CAPTIVE. [2 Cor. 10:5]  What I wrote earlier, to SEEK God is setting our minds and hearts on God, by fixing our attention plus affections toward Him.

I Chron. 22:19a



"Now set your heart and your soul to seek (inquire of, require as your vital necessity) the Lord your God..."

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 MY CHALLENGE TO YOU!

Let's BE THE GENERATION OF SEEKERS! The benefits far outweigh the means don't they? It  is laying it all down for the sake of KNOWING OUR GOD...resulting in having His amazing character to transmit into our lives.

In addition we will be able to live out a life with more power, peace, joy and strength plus be filled with knowledge from ON HIGH! And  I will draw it back around to: the NEXT GENERATION --- those who are following us will see JESUS  (our God) within our lives and they will know where we have been.

                                                         MY CHALLENGE? Be THE GENERATION OF SEEKERS today!

 

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Matthew 6:33               

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."



FAST & PRAY STUDY

FAST & PRAY STUDY

FASTING & PRAYING  UNIT  STUDY

Put together & thoughts placed in:  by Daneille Gray Snowden

 

Just a small little study to obtain the perspective of fasting, the 'why's-when's' as well as where did it come from.

Dictionary Definition: to abstain from food, or barely eat certain kinds of foods, a day or a period of time.

Unger Bible Dictionary: fast in the Bible is from the Hebrew word sum, meaning "to cover" the mouth, or from the Greek word nesteuo , meaning "to abstain." For spiritual purposes, it means to go without eating and drinking (Esther:4:16).

WHO & WHY:
  - to petition God and to seek his favor for others   (Acts 13)
     - when choosing leaders in the church (Acts 14:23)
     - for God's mercy (Jonah 3)
     - it reminds us that we are NOT self sufficient  (WHY)
     - When we fast, the hunger...and even the habit of eating being stopped automatically draws our attention on WHY we are doing this - TO: God.


BEGINNINGS OF PRAYER & FASTING:
"Old Testament law specifically required prayer and fasting for only one occasion, which was the Day of Atonement."  Is known as the day of fasting from Jer. 36:6 .

BIBLE CHARACTERS THAT PRAYED & FASTED:
I downloaded coloring pages and shrunk them for the students to put in their 'lap-books'.
OLD TESTATMENT:
Moses: on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28).

King Jehoshaphat: Israel about to be attacked. (2 Chronicles 20:3).
Nineveh : (Jonah 3:5).
David: (2 Samuel 1:12).
Daniel: Fasted for an Answer to Prayer – Daniel 10:1-3
Nehemiah:  Jerusalem was still in ruins (Nehemiah 1:4).
Darius: Daniel in the den of lions (Daniel 6:18).
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NEW TESTAMENT:
Anna:  (Luke 2:37).
John the Baptist: (Mark 2:18).
Jesus: (Matthew 4:2).
The church of Antioch:  (Acts 13:2,3) Paul and Barnabas spent time in prayer and fasting for the appointment of elders in the churches (Acts 14:23). [link to good site /click]

Excellent study on those in the Bible fasting; click link. 

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TYPES

A Daniel fast.
A fruit or vegetable juice.
A water-only fast.
A total fast is without water. [Do not go beyond three days without water.]
Fast for a particular # amount of days.
Fast a particular meal.

NOTE: Please, check with a physician to be assured you are safe to fast, especially the extreme fasts. Pregnant woman, young children, sick and elderly you can fast a food, maybe a meal...but please use wisdom and get advice.

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RELIGIONS/CULTURES THAT FAST & PRAY:
I downloaded coloring pages and shrunk them for the students to put in their 'lap-books'.

I am a Christian, and this is a Christian Blog site. But, thought it would be enlightening for all to understand the beliefs of other religions. ~Daneille

Buddhists - Budhist's fast    ---  Breaking fast with our Buddhist guests

Ramadan Fast

Baha'i - Baha'i Fast    -----    Fasting a Baha'i video // apologetics
Catholic - beginning of Lent   ----   // More Explained  Lent Described
Islam - Ramadan   ----  Ramadan Described   // Free Worksheets // pics-
Eastern Orthodox - several fast periods including Lent   ----   Why Do Orthodox Christians Fast 40 Days During Great Lent?
Hindu's  -  Why thy fast explained...  --gods/beliefs
Judaism  - Minor fasts    --- explained  -- Judaism 101- Beliefs
Mormon  --  101 Beliefs /  The Book of Mormon on Prayer and Fasting  = basic beliefs of mormon christian apologetics.
"Completing the fast includes donating the money equivalent of the food you would have eaten to help the poor and needy. This is called a Fast Offering." link  Fast Sunday = 1st Sun. monthly

CHECK OUT THIS: Fasting Across Religions

 

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 Remember; when we fast it INTENSIFIES our prayers!

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INSTRUCTIVE ADVICE FOR PRAYER & FASTING:

Author/Speaker Daneille Snowden
w/husband Pastor Brad Snowden.

[click links]
                              
“WHEN you fast” — not “if you fast.” Matt. 6:16
1) Successful Fasting & Prayer from 'In His Steps'
2) Not to draw attention to ourselves. Examples of bad & good fasting: Is. 58:3-5  = (not good)
    (Good) = Is. 58:6-10.
3) There can be different types of fasts...i.e.: Certain foods to abstain from such as;  a particular meal,  3 day fast, 1 day fast, 1 week fast, a longer fast.  IT IS VITAL...that a fast is led by the Spirit of God. He will lead you. And He see's the heart and the initial focus on WHY you are fasting, thus He will bless that.
4)  How should you fast and pray:  Matt. 6:16-18
            - anoint thine head
            -wash thy face
            - in secret
5) Use wisdom, if feeling really sick...seeing spots before your eyes. Get a protein drink or just eat some. You are not defeated...just may need to fast a meal, or a food. I have found when the Lord has ordained a fast for me, I have the strength to fast. Though I may feel the hunger in my belly. And food smells really good. I have the strength.
Although, most of my normal life I have to watch my protein levels for I tend to get low blood sugar a lot. But, when the Lord leads me I am fine. When I fast -- just because I don't do well.
6) Watch how physical active you are...too much can be draining.
7) I limit my social interaction during my prayer and fasting time. Back away from that table of even distraction...as this is a time with our Lord.
8) During meals, go to a private place and seek your Lord. Worship for awhile, ask for direction in His Word (Bible) as He speaks to us, wait in His Presence and then make petitions, intercessions (praying for others). None done in this particular order.
9) Expect opposition from people. Or things to happen that will cause distraction and discouragement.
10) This is a time to focus on your Lord first and foremost. Drawing intimately close to Him. Keep that focus as #1.

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INTERESTING FASTS (From the Bible)
 



Purim
 
Esther 4:16 "Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish."

Several References in the Bible about this fasts, CLICK LINK.

2015: Thursday, the 5th of March and will continue for 2 days until Friday, the 6th of March.
Note that in the Jewish calendar, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Jews will celebrate Purim on the sunset of Wednesday, the 4th of March.

The Fast of Esther  [click] called the Ta'anit Esther
Costumes, Story, Study...etc.   [click]
Purim 2015 Guide [click]


Daniel Fast:

THE DANIEL FAST WEB SITE

Daniel 9:1-3

Good lesson on the beginning of this amazing story behind the Daniel Fast...prayer, supplication is where it began click LINK.

 Daniel 10:3 "I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled."

-21 Days Long
-Foods that are allowed are:  fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and oils.
-Restricted foods include:   dairy, meat, sugar, all forms of sweeteners, yeast, refined and processed foods, deep-fried foods, and solid fats.

[ Daniel ch.1 & 10  how Daniel’s passion for God gave him  longing for spiritual food more than physical food.]

-Starts w/ 10 Day Test Dan. 1 eat only vegetables and to drink only water. / Daniel and his friends looked healthier and better nourished than the others.  Daniel 1

-Dan. 10 Fast  Daniel is now older, (85) and is burdened deeply (by a vision from the Lord regarding the deprivation of his people & their sin).

        He ate no choice food and had no meat or wine for three weeks (vv. 2 – 3).

        Choice food in Hebrew meant: himself foods that were desirable.  Likely sweets and bread. This fast, he was NOT focused on him but for the needs of others. - Intercessor



Daniel Fast site

 

 REFERENCE SCRIPTURAL HELPS: 

Matthew 26:36-45  JESUS PRAYING AT GETHSEMANE

^36" Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He told His disciples, Sit down here while I go over yonder and pray.

³⁷ And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to ^[j]show grief and distress of mind and was ^[k]deeply depressed.

³⁸ Then He said to them, My soul is very sad and deeply grieved, so that ^[l]I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and keep awake and keep watch with Me.

³⁹ And going a little farther, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed saying, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will [not what I desire], but as You will and desire.

⁴⁰ And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, What! Are you so utterly unable to stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour?

⁴¹ All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

⁴² Again a second time He went away and prayed, My Father, if this cannot pass by unless I drink it, Your will be done.

⁴³ And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were weighed down with sleep.

⁴⁴ So, leaving them again, He went away and prayed for the third time, using the same words.

⁴⁵ Then He returned to the disciples and said to them, Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of ^[m]especially wicked sinners [^[n]whose way or nature it is to act in opposition to God]."

Hebrews 4:15-16   AQUAINTED WITH OUR WEAKNESS

^15 "For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.

¹⁶ Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]."

 

Luke 6:12  SPENT ENTIRE NIGHT IN PRAYER

^12 "Now in those days it occurred that He went up into a mountain to pray, and spent the whole night in prayer to God."

 “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matt. 17:21; Mark 9:29).

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES  LINK

http://snowdenwiththefamhomeschooling.blogspot.com/

OUR STRUGGLES ARE AGAINST...

Ephesians 6:12

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

  What are these  rulers, powers, world forces of darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness? We observe that so much happens when our own (or others) flesh is in control then, wham; Forces have an instrument of attack. [I.E.: When the tongue lashes, mischief happens, selfishness and so on.] The evil forces here are Satan and his soldiers. [Gal. 5:17]

 Rev. 12:7-9 "And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

  Since the beginning of time Satan has wanted control, and worship; (which he knows belongs to God). Supremely; God is all powerful. Yet, He has given man a choice to serve Him and surrender daily their own fleshly sins so He may lead and be our conquering Lord. All through the Blood of His Son and through the Name above all names: JESUS! 

Rev. 12:11  " And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."

Mark 16:17 "And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages;"

  In the Name of Jesus, we have been given the AUTHORITY to cast out 'rulers', 'forces' --- Satan; who is the enemy of GOD and His Children! The world today is the darkest it has ever been. I truly believe it is because the majority of the REMNANT is not praying (like it could). Some are exhausted, distracted, maybe uninformed there is a possibility of victories. Irregardless, let me BLOW THIS TRUMPET  aloud and let it ring through out the land....WE HAVE THE POWER to tread on serpents and over all the power of the enemy! [Lu. 10:19] 

  Our children are being sucked into satanic activities due to movies, tv shows and music; right in front of our faces! Thus, we have the authority to attack this through prayer, accompanied by God's Word. Christians are frequenting 'dark environments' and becoming desensitized   (numb) to their evil surroundings. God help us! [1 Peter 2:11]

   Like the song goes;

 "It’s time we, the people, stand up for what is right

It’s time we squared our shoulders back and raised our swords to fight

For the Bible is my weapon and the Spirit is my shield

The Church needs more of its members to be workers in the field." [LINK] 

  Elderly pastors  tell me in earnest that it is harder to pastor today than 30, 40 and even 50 years ago. Let's pray folks,  calling out to all spiritual prayer warriors...let's fight with great confidence in our God's power to conquer. 

2 Corinthians 10:4

"for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses"

  I know I am not alone when I plead:  I need a praying army of believers at my side, standing with me as I live for Him and praying with me (as well) as I pray for others. We need the remnant to join as one to pray, and keep praying for great victories. The enemy is fighting harder today than he has in decades. He knows Jesus is coming soon. That God wants all to come to Him so He can welcome them into eternity. 

  Our family has been reading this book that I want to share a part from the last chapter. A novel all about spiritual warfare, written by a pastor of a small church (at the time). 

[From the novel: This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti]
After experiencing a spiritual victory, the Ashton remnant of believers were rejoicing. Yet, there was still an unresolved battle going on as the evil dark prince of Ashton was fighting against God's General (Tal). 
What I loved was this prayer warrior, an elderly widowed saint of God was IN -TUNE to the leading of the Holy Spirit; as she fell to her knees and started weeping and praying. God led her to fight more in prayer, binding the enemy and rebuking him through the Name of above all names: Jesus and His Blood.
Then the remnant of believers joined in as they rebuked  'Rafar' (who brought havoc to this community)..."We rebuke you Rafar!" Edith shouted again. Rafar screamed. Tal's blade had torn him open. ...the angels blade was singing with new resonance." Though he laid wounded Tal could hear the saints were praying!

PRAISE THE LORD!  There is Power In The Name of Jesus, and YES; It breaks every chain.

   Let's FIGHT in prayer together saints of God. Intercede for one another, for your loved ones, leaders and spiritual leaders. Pray for the church, for missionaries and for the GOSPEL to be preached (and lived) out in the Body of Christ through and through. 

AMEN!!!

NOTE: Highlighted words are links.