LESSONS LEARNED:
According to bro Eli, a natural man desires the things of the world; he wants to have a dream house, a spouse, cars and all manner of earthly possessions.
However, if one desires the things of God, it's God that's working in him, as recorded in Philippians 2:13.
It is God that works in us to do his own good pleasure.
God has therefore instructed us to seek the things above, for the things here on earth are temporal.
God's commandment is for us to seek him, no matter which country we're from.
If you find yourself desiring the things of God, it's a good sign.
Bro Eli further noted that two things exist in this world; good and evil.
We should seek and do good.
Reading from Matthew 13:3-8, bro Eli narrated the parable of a seed sower who went to plant, some seeds fell by the wayside, some on thones, some on stony places, and some on good ground.
The seeds by the wayside were picked up by birds and were consumed. The ones by thorns couldn't survive as the thorns grew to choke them. The one ones on stony places couldn't survive either, as there was no much earth to enable them grow. However, those on the good ground, grew and was fruitful.
According to Luke 8:11 reading down, the Bible records that the seed was the word of God.
The grounds were the hearts of men.
While some hearts received the word, but challenges, devil and desires of life deprived them of bearing fruit, the 4th kind of heart received the word of God, and allowed it to settle in him and with patience, was able to bring forth much fruits.
So we should always examine ourselves to know which category we belong.
The good news is that, no matter which category, God is able to change any heart.
If doctors could transplant the literal hearts, then God can give us a new heart that will keep his commandments and bear fruits, according to Ezekiel 36:26-28.
If God could change a person like Saul, who described himself as the chief sinner, then God can change anyone.
According to Acts 17:27, if we seek God, he'll not be far from us.
So we should consciously seek after God.
FORMER BELIEF:
I had no contrary belief regarding this topic.
EFFECTS OF THE TEACHING:
I've been made to understand that no matter where I am, I can still seek God, and no matter the kind of heart I may possess, God is well able to change it for a new heart.
Thanks be to God.
We are inviting you to join the MCGI Cares (Hive) community that study the words of God and also earn some reward by making our reactions on it. We can check this link https://peakd.com/c/hive-182074/trending
Thanks be to God for listening on our meeting.
MCGI Cares (Hive) community's main mission is to share the words of God, not the Hive upvotes. If we get upvotes, please treat it as just a bonus. Do not focus mainly on material things as the bible is teaching us not to look at things seen but rather focus our eyes on things not seen.
II CORINTHIANS 4:18
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.