| It's funny how people are. I've noticed a significant | | | | and understanding these biblical truths. When we do |
| increase in hits to Plain Bible Truth.org in recent weeks | | | | put forth an effort to know God, He does not |
| on the heels of the financial turmoil that has developed | | | | disappoint. |
| worldwide. And that's a good thing. Not just because | | | | How do we ask, seek, and knock? Through prayer, |
| people are visiting my site, but also because people | | | | meditation, and studying your Bible. These are the main |
| are turning to God in search of answers, meaning, or | | | | activities or actions that we should be performing in |
| some understanding of what's going on in this crazy | | | | seeking God. This develops a relationship with God |
| world. | | | | that cannot be formed any other way. Through daily |
| To those of us who dedicate our lives to studying | | | | performance of these activities God will make Himself |
| God's Word, recent developments in the financial world | | | | known to us and we will see answered prayer, |
| have come as no surprise. As a matter of fact, many | | | | miracles, and understanding develop in our lives. |
| have anticipated it. One Christian financial consultant, | | | | The next course of action we should be performing is |
| whom I listened to on the radio regularly in the mid | | | | getting ourselves into a Bible based church and |
| 1990's, was the late Larry Burkett of Crown Financial | | | | becoming a part of the church family. God uses the |
| Ministries. | | | | church, as well as, other ministries, as a vehicle to bring |
| Mr. Burkett talked about a financial earthquake that | | | | knowledge to those who are seeking Him. If you have |
| was coming. Mr. Burkett wasn't a prophet; it wasn't just | | | | yourself in a good Bible based church you should be |
| that he foresaw this in prophecy, but being a financial | | | | getting spiritually fed by your pastor's sermons. |
| expert, he saw how fast, not only our countries debt | | | | Most churches today have small groups in which |
| was exploding into uncharted territory, but also how | | | | brothers and sisters meet together regularly and |
| personal debt, as well, was becoming a major problem | | | | support, pray, and edify each other. This is the fruit of |
| for families to cope with. | | | | becoming part of the church family. There are also |
| That along with Bible prophecy that declares the | | | | Bible studies that are usually led by leadership of the |
| punishment for putting money before God, helped Mr. | | | | church. If you are going to a church that does not |
| Burkett see that our financial future, as a nation, was | | | | have these extracurricular activities, it might be time to |
| not bright. There was a dark day coming that would | | | | find yourself another church. |
| affect a lot of people financially. | | | | Next to your own personal Bible study, your local |
| That day has come. Although Mr. Burkett is no longer | | | | church should be your number one vehicle for God to |
| with us, those who heeded his message to get himself | | | | utilize to bring you knowledge and understanding. There |
| out of debt to protect them against this financial | | | | is also a treasure trove of Christian books, television, |
| earthquake, have much gratitude for Mr. Burkett and | | | | radio, and Internet ministries that can also be a great |
| his message to them. Mr. Burkett was a great | | | | source of information and learning. But be extremely |
| example of someone who takes biblical principles and | | | | careful, there are many products and ministries out |
| applies them to their everyday life. It prepares you for | | | | there, which claim to be Christian, but are dangerous |
| what's around the corner; even if you are not quite | | | | and misleading. |
| sure what it is that's there. | | | | In Acts 17:11; we are told of the Berean's when |
| Many people spend hundreds of dollars a year in trying | | | | receiving a word from sources other than the |
| to determine what the future holds. Unfortunately, | | | | Scriptures, they would then take that information and |
| many of those are seeking out astrologers for the | | | | compare it to the Scriptures in order to assure that it is |
| answers. We are clearly told by God in the Bible to | | | | true. |
| stay away from this evil (see Leviticus 19:26, | | | | The Berean's were diligent in the search for true |
| Deuteronomy 18:10, 2 Kings 17:17, 2 Kings 21:6, 2 | | | | knowledge and understanding, and careful to assuring |
| Chronicles 33:6, Acts 19:18-20). | | | | what they were learning was based on the word of |
| We are told in 1 Chronicles 10:13 what happened to | | | | God. If you are just beginning your journey in seeking |
| King Saul when he disobeyed God and consulted with | | | | godly knowledge and understanding, do not let yourself |
| a medium (astrologer) for direction. It reads, "So Saul | | | | become discouraged if the process starts out slow |
| died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed | | | | and confusing. |
| against the LORD, because he did not keep the word | | | | There is a spiritual element out there that doesn't want |
| of the LORD, and also because he consulted a | | | | you to progress in your knowledge of the Word of |
| medium for guidance (bold mine)." | | | | God. But hold fast to your diligence and you will |
| The Bible is made up of one-third prophecy. Since | | | | overcome any obstacles Satan or his demonic forces |
| there is so much prophecy in the Bible, there is good | | | | may put in your way. "You are of God, little children, |
| reason to believe that God certainly wants us to know | | | | and have overcome them, because He who is in you |
| and understand these things. In order to do so, we | | | | is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4)." |
| need to dedicate time in searching out understanding | | | | I am now starting a Bible based study of the state of |
| of these prophecies. | | | | our world at the present time and how it relates to |
| Many wonder why God would make prophecy so | | | | Scripture and what Scripture says about the end time. |
| difficult to understand. The reason is that God wants | | | | Many do not realize how much of what is happening |
| you to seek Him. It is only in seeking Him with a | | | | today in our world is no coincidence to what the |
| dedicated heart that the understanding of these truths | | | | prophets of old have prophesied in the Bible many, |
| will be opened up to you. "Ask and it will be given to | | | | many years ago. |
| you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be | | | | For more information on my new series "In Search of |
| opened to you (Matthew 7:7)." | | | | the Signs", please bookmark this page and watch for |
| There are three actions here that we must perform in | | | | the next installment. You will be amazed at how many |
| order to receive. The first is "ask", the second is | | | | biblical signs point to many things going on in our world |
| "seek", and the third is "knock". These three actions | | | | today. |
| are symbolic to us dedicating ourselves to knowing | | | | |