If you are facing a difficult time in your life we would love the opportunity to pray for you.

“So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17, KJV).

Martin Luther said he studied his Bible in the same way he gathered apples. First, he shook the whole tree, that the ripest might fall; then he shook each limb, and when he had shaken each limb, he shook each branch, and after each branch, every twig; and then he looked under every leaf. He admonishes us:

“Search the Bible as a whole, shaking the whole tree. Read it rapidly, as you would any book. Then shake every limb – study book after book.

“Then shake every branch, giving attention to the chapters when they do not break the sense. Then shake each twig, by careful study of the paragraphs and sentences. And you will be rewarded if you will look under each leaf, by searching the meaning of the words.”

Seek to know the Lord with all your heart. While you may have no difficulty in worshiping the omnipotent God, you cannot really know God unless you study His Word. The one who spoke and caused the worlds to be framed is waiting to reveal Himself to you personally.

Faith is not given to those who are either undisciplined or disobedient. Faith is a gift of God which is given to those who trust and obey Him. As we master His Word and obey His commands, our faith continues to grow.

It is my strong conviction that it is impossible to ask God for too much if our hearts and motives are pure and if we pray according to the Word and will of God.

Every time you and I open and read God’s Word carefully, we are building up our storehouse of faith. When we memorize the Word, our faith is being increased. When we study or teach a Sunday school lesson, or hear a sermon faithfully expounding the Word, we are growing in faith.

Bible Reading: Hebrews 11: 1-6

Today’s Action Point:
I will read, study, memorize and meditate upon God’s Word daily, knowing that in the process my faith will grow, for “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

Questions: How does our faith grow?

Do you struggle with the deep darkness of depression and find yourself without hope?  Talk to us.

“But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29).

I was out for dinner the other night celebrating with some co-workers while my daughter was at the movies with friends. The restaurant was close to the theater, so I was going to pick her up when it was over. The movie actually let out early, just as we were getting our food so I asked her for ten minutes.

Unknown to me, she texted me a few minutes later that she had gotten dropped off at the restaurant (poor cell reception on my part so I didn’t get it until a few minutes later). She said she saw my van and knew I was inside but she couldn’t get a hold of me. She asked an employee if there was a work party there and he said we were in the back. We were at the back, but I was sitting in a cave-like booth with my back to the dining room, virtually hidden.

I finally got her text and went outside to find her in tears. She had called her friends to come back for her and then I walked out as they pulled up. After we sorted through the whole story, she calmed down and we laughed about it. I kept saying to her “why did you get upset when you knew I was there?” She admitted she wasn’t sure why, but thought it might be because she could not see me and she had looked everywhere.

The next day I realized that I know how that feels. How many times have I believed that God is with me, but I could not see Him? I search and search and it looks like He left, yet I know He hasn’t. But, those tormenting confusing thoughts begin and soon I am in a panic because it doesn’t make any sense. If He is here, than where is He? Circumstances, decisions, disappointment, sickness….God, if you are with me, then where are you?

But, that’s it. I was there in the restaurant all along. Had my daughter not felt like she didn’t belong there and looked a little closer, she would have found me. Perhaps, if I look a little closer and walk in my God-given authority, I will see Him, too.

I believe that is exactly what I’ll do from now on. I will not be afraid. I will not give up. I will seek out my Father in every circumstance since I know….He is definitely waiting for me.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP: God keeps His promises

Questions: Are you struggling to know where God is in your life? Have you given up on trying to find God?

About the Author Melissa Kindall

“If you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.”  (Deuteronomy 4:29)

We make frequent trips to countries outside our own. We have learned how to make lists of necessary items, take only essential clothing, tuck small objects into corners of our luggage, and identify each suitcase. We make sure necessary medications and one change of clothing are in our carry on bags.

On this last trip I decided to leave my prescription sunglasses at home, taking only a much less expensive pair with me in case of loss or breakage. It was a good journey with all the goals of our project accomplished. Tired but happy upon returning home after two weeks, I began the lengthy process of unpacking, washing clothes and settling back into a somewhat normal routine.

Where were my sunglasses? I looked in the catch-all basket on the entryway table – the most obvious place. Then I searched in desk and bedroom chest drawers,  purses, coat pockets. My somewhat relaxed search began taking on intentionality. I began  looking in improbable places: wastebaskets, kitchen cupboards, the laundry room shelf. Could I have left the glasses in my car? Maybe they slipped down between the seats.

After several days of fruitless searching, I had just about resigned myself to the fact that I would need to purchase new glasses. As I unlocked my car one morning, I  decided to take one more look. Stooping down to look under the seat, I found them! The black case had blended into the floor mat, making it almost invisible.

We frequently say we wish we knew God better. How is it that some people seem to discover more about Gods character than we do? Why are the experiences of
others richer than our own? What is the process that friends use to uncover “gems” from the Bible when our own attempts produce mere facts?

The word seek implies intentional pursuit. So often in our busy lives we take time only for surface investigation, a few quickly read Bible verses, a hurried journey through our prayer list. Our minds are engaged but all our heart and soul is occupied with self-orientation.

God promises to give us what we truly seek. In fact, in some mysterious and wonderful way, He joins us in the search and rejoices when what we seek is found!

God, I confess that my search for material items is so often more intentional than my search for you. Remind me, Father, that you will richly uncover what I desperately seek.  Amen.

Question: As we seek God, we need to keep in mind that He sought us first. How can you see evidence of Him continuing to seek you out in your life?

About the Author:  Marilyn Ehle

What are you seeking for most?  What does your soul crave? Take this online Study.

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EDT.

“If you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul”  (Deuteronomy 4:29).

We make frequent trips to countries outside our own. We have learned how to make lists of necessary items, take only essential clothing, tuck small objects into corners of our luggage, and identify each suitcase. We make sure necessary medications and one change of clothing are in our carry on bags.

On this last trip I decided to leave my prescription sunglasses at home, taking only a much less expensive pair with me in case of loss or breakage. It was a good journey with all the goals of our project accomplished. Tired but happy upon returning home after two weeks, I began the lengthy process of unpacking, washing clothes and settling back into a somewhat normal routine.

Where were my sunglasses? I looked in the catch-all basket on the entryway table – the most obvious place. Then I searched in desk and bedroom chest drawers, purses, coat pockets. My somewhat relaxed search began taking on intentionality. I began looking in improbable places: wastebaskets, kitchen cupboards, the laundry room shelf. Could I have left the glasses in my car? Maybe they slipped down between the seats.

After several days of fruitless searching, I had just about resigned myself to the fact that I would need to purchase new glasses. As I unlocked my car one morning, I decided to take one more look. Stooping down to look under the seat, I found them! The black case had blended into the floor mat, making it almost invisible.

We frequently say we wish we knew God better. How is it that some people seem to discover more about Gods character than we do? Why are the experiences of others richer than our own? What is the process that friends use to uncover “gems” from the Bible when our own attempts produce mere facts?

The word seek implies intentional pursuit. So often in our busy lives we take time only for surface investigation, a few quickly read Bible verses, a hurried journey through our prayer list. Our minds are engaged but all our heart and soul is occupied with self-orientation.

God promises to give us what we truly seek. In fact, in some mysterious and wonderful way, He joins us in the search and rejoices when what we seek is found!

God, I confess that my search for material items is so often more intentional than my search for you. Remind me, Father, that you will richly uncover what I desperately seek.  Amen.

Questions: What is the process that people use to uncover “gems” from the Bible? What does the word “seek” mean?  What are you seeking in your life?

About the Author Marilyn J. Ehle

Why are you searching for God? What do you expect from God? Are you expecting him to solve your problems and remove all of life’s difficulties? He may not be what you expect. While God does give good things and loves to do so, he doesn’t want to be sought merely for what he can do for you. He wants you to find him because he is the ultimate gift – he wants you to enjoy a relationship with him. Make it your goal to find God himself, no matter what the outcome.

What’s your goal? Asking questions about God could keep you occupied for a lifetime, but the quest to find God is not meant to be one of life’s unsolved mysteries (though it may seem like it at times!). God wants you to find him. How open are you to actually finding God? Let other people question for the sake of questioning.

What’s your current concept of God? God wants to be known for who he really is. How would you feel if everyone was more interested in creating their own concept of who they think you are, rather than wanting to find out who you actually are? How much are you set on creating or confirming your own image of God? How much are you searching for God to discover who he really is?

Who do you think Jesus is? You may be thinking, “What does Jesus have to do with searching for God?” In Jesus, we find the clearest picture of God — Jesus is the exact representation of God. God stepped into history when he wrapped himself in flesh and came to live on earth in the person of Jesus. In your search for God, explore Jesus — look at his life and consider what he said and did. Then decide what you think of him.

How will you respond to Jesus? As you consider Jesus’ character and claims, at some point you will need to decide on what you think of what he said and did. In one scene of The Passion of the Christ Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Jesus later defines “life” more clearly: “And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, the one and only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent.” (John 17:3)

How will you respond to this gift of life? Just as you can’t force someone to accept a gift from you, Jesus can’t force you to take the gift of life he offers. Similarly, if you choose not to accept a gift from someone, it’s not really yours to enjoy unless you respond by receiving it.

Copyright TruthMedia 2004. May not be reprinted without permission.

So here you are. Somehow you’ve landed on this page. Wherever you are in your life, something has brought you to begin searching for God.

Maybe a crisis of some kind is causing you to look for explanation, comfort or relief. Maybe the things you’ve filled your life with –friends, success, pleasure – are not quite as satisfying as you anticipated. Maybe your life is good, but you want more meaning and depth.

Somehow you’re ready to stop pretending like you have life all together and you’re willing to consider how God might fit in the picture.

The question is, how are you supposed to search for a God that seems invisible — one that you can’t physically see and touch or audibly hear?

Next>>Questions to begin your search

Copyright TruthMedia 2004. May not be reprinted without permission.

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I see religion is a set of beliefs that have guidelines for behavior associated with them.    There are many religions with many differing beliefs and rules.   I don’t  think God needs religion.  He wants to have a relationship with me.   It is so easy for me to get confused and think that my relationship with him has rules of engagement.    I love knowing that God cares about me and that my relationship with him does not need a lot of order and structure.  I want to participate in religion or church to celebrate his holiness, but it’s not a condition of knowing God.  Do you believe you can you connect to God without religion?

If you have questions, we’d love to hear from you. Use this form to  be matched with one of our mentors. Mentors are trained volunteers with real life experience.  They can answer questions, point you to other resources or just listen when you have something to say.

Your mentor will email you using our secure system, The Mentor Center (TMC).  TMC ensures your privacy by protecting your information.  If you want to keep talking, just hit reply.  The conversation is free, confidential and non-judgmental.   You can keep talking to your mentor as long as you like and there is never a fee.   If you’re curious, start a conversation.  We’re ready when you are.

See the complete list of questions
Comments are also welcome!

Assessing your interest and knowledge of the company and job

• What do you know about us?
• Why do you want to work for us?
• How can you make a contribution to our organization?
• What job in our organization would you choose if you were entirely free to do so?
• What interests you about our product or service?
• Why are you applying for this job?
• What is your understanding of the nature of the job and the company?

The interviewer is trying to find out what you know about the job and the company, and if you understand the organization.

You will certainly stand out from other applicants if you can answer this type of question well – so make sure you have done some research on the company before the interview!

State what you have found out about the company and its operations (from company websites, year-end reports, newspaper reports, or other documents; and from people who work in or deal wit the company), and why you are interested in the job. Emphasize how your skills would meet and best match the company’s needs.

Continue reading Job Search Tips… Intro | Q1 | Q2 | Q3

Assessing how well the job and company fit your needs, skills, and interests

Use the interview opportunity to learn more about the organization, and see if the position or company meets your needs. Prepare about four to five questions focused on the job and the organization itself. Save questions about salary, benefits, or overtime until the employer actually makes you an offer.

• What are the major responsibilities for this position?
• Are there any changes expected in the responsibilities of this job?
• What organizational changes do you anticipate?
• What personal qualities would you expect the successful candidate to possess?
• What are the greatest challenges facing the person in this position?
• What are prospects of future growth and expansion of the company/organization?Are there opportunities for advancement within the organization?
• What new products/services is your organization thinking of implementing?
• Why is this position open?
• Who would I be interacting with the most in this position?
• How does this position fit in with the structure of the organization?
• Do you have an employee training program?
• When can I expect to know your decision?

Think of questions to which you genuinely want to know the answers. What additional information excluded from the job description might be helpful in deciding if this is the position you want?

Remember that interviews are a two way interaction and the goal is for both you and the employer to determine if you or the position is the best match.

Just as the interviewer should gain enough information from you to determine if you are the most suitable person for the position, you should also be able to glean enough information to decide if the position is something you want.

By preparing throroughly for the questions in a job interview, you’ll be one step closer to impressing the employer and finding out if it’s your dream job after all.

Re-read Job Search Tips… Intro | Q1 | Q2 | Q3