Putting God First

Bible Verse of The Day – 12-31-18

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Deuteronomy 6:5 (NKJV) 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

As we move into a new year, many people tend to set their sights on new goals and things they want to accomplish in the coming weeks and months.

While this can sometimes be a good thing, the vast majority of the people who loosely commit themselves to these “New Year’s Resolutions” start off with a bang and then slowly fizzle, never reaching their intended goal.

This happens for a couple of reasons. 1, because they set unrealistic goals without ever “counting the cost”. 2, because they create these goals based on emotional feelings or on things they have seen others do.

Is it wrong to have goals? Absolutely not! Without goals, we will never move beyond where we are now. Nothing will ever change.

The important thing is to have the right motives when we set goals and to create goals that are God-inspired, not emotionally driven.

Our biggest and foremost goal should always be to put God before everything and everyone else. This is a goal that should be taken very seriously and pursued with a pure heart.

When we put God first and follow His leading, everything else in our lives eventually lines up and falls into place.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

So, as we move into 2019, let us not get caught up in the New Year hype. But let’s get “caught up” in God, our loving and merciful Father who gave His all for us.

Doesn’t He deserve that we give our all for Him?

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 10-1-18

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Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

So many times we hear this verse used to teach about faith and all of its virtues. And that is good.

But we have to be careful not to ignore the last part of this verse; He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

So many of us are seeking something from God. It’s probably pretty safe to say that most of us are. But are we doing what God asks of us?

No, this isn’t about works vs. faith. It’s about obedience, and about understanding that most times, God will ask us to take steps in order to bring something to fruition.

We have fallen into the habit of thinking that just because we ask God for something, or tell Him that we want something, that He is obligated to give it to us.

But if we are treating God like a magic piggy bank, we’ve got it all wrong.

God needs to come first in everything. We need to seek Him diligently, for the sole purpose of wanting to know Him more and growing our relationship with Him, not just to get rewarded.

If our motives are wrong, our seeking is largely in vain. As Jesus taught, we are to seek the kingdom of God first, before anything else. Then, and only then will the blessings and rewards come.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 7-12-18

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Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Seeking God and His righteousness, before seeking anything else, should be our goal as a follower of Christ. Doing this on a personal level is the key to how all these things are added to us.

As we grow as a Christian, we learn to work toward allowing God to become everything in our life. We surrender even those things that we think are for us to decide on, and we give it to Him so He can show us what He has to say regarding them

It takes time to learn this. We will notice that on some days it is easier to do than other days. Why is this?

Because our emotions and feelings are fickle. One day we can decide on something, and the next day we can change and do just the opposite. We can be quite indecisive at times.

Giving God control over our lives, even when we are feeling in control, is the first step.

For example, when we pull back and say, “Lord, I believe I know what I need to do in this situation, however, I would like you to confirm it for me and show me, just in case I may be off in any way”.

That is one way to get His answer and direction. Seek Him first. Don’t just take steps and then have to pay for it later. Put some time and effort into it and really go after Him for His counsel and direction.

He is speaking to some today and asking if we are willing to seek Him and His righteousness first, that He may, in return, add to us.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 6-22-18

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John 12:37 (NKJV) 37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him…

The problem here was not that they didn’t have enough signs. There were other underlying issues.

People don’t always want to see things for what they are. There’s something that takes place when we do. For one, we need to admit we were wrong and two, there is usually a change that needs to come along with it.

No one can make anyone see things if a person is not willing to see it. And no one can change a person if they are not willing to change. They have to be willing to see with their own eyes and to change in their own heart and mind.

In the scripture above, Jesus gave them an opportunity through many signs, to see Who He was and believe in Him. Why didn’t they believe? Because of their will.

We can teach, we can train, and we can go out of our way to make sure we do all that we need to do to help people. But what it comes down to is if their will is not in it, and they are not willing to see, listen and take action, nothing is going to happen.

They just aren’t willing. And we may never know why. We just need to do our part and move on.

Sometimes we don’t want to change because we are not willing. Other times it’s because we like what we hear and see around us.

John 12:43 (NKJV) 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Some of us love the praise of men more. How sad is that?

We care more about what people may say or think about us than what God has to say. And because of this, we let them control our thinking, our actions and all that we do.

Man did not influence Jesus. Nor did they pressure Him into doing anything or have control over Him.

John 5:41 (NKJV) 41 “I do not receive honor from men.

Man could not move Jesus. Jesus was moved by His Father only.

Is our will lining up with God’s will for us today? Or is it lining up with man’s will for us, because we love the praise from their lips?

Know this; that man is fickle and as soon as we say no or disagree with them, they will turn their backs on us like they never knew us. God will stick with us through thick and thin!

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 6-21-18

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1 Samuel 7:3 (NKJV) 3 Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”

Many have drifted away from God. Maybe it’s someone you know. Maybe it’s you.

Foreign gods can come in many forms. They don’t even have to have specific names, or even specific religious rituals to follow.

They just need to be able to take our attention off of the one true God long enough to cause us to put Him on the back burner for a while. Or maybe we move Him down our list of priorities, to somewhere lower than at the top.

There are many kinds of “Ashtoreths”, false goddesses, that we keep images of in our hearts and our homes; Money, fame, social status, self-vanity, sports stars, movie and musical celebrities, and so many more. They each hold a special little piece of our hearts.

Those pieces of our hearts are places where God is not allowed. Oh, He can look. But He can’t touch.

Many of us are facing our very own “Philistines” in our lives. We are standing in front of giants that taunt us and mock us, laughing out loud and daring us to step forward and just try to slay them, knowing that our false gods have weakened us and caused us to become spiritually impotent.

Our hearts can no longer afford to be divided between God and “Ashtoreth”. The division only makes us weak and feeble, unable to conquer a single foe, let alone a menacing giant.

It’s time for us to return to God with our whole heart. It’s time for us to put away the foreign gods and the “Ashtoreths”, and get serious with God. We need to serve and obey Him alone. When we do this, He will deliver us from the hand of the Philistines in due time.

Menacing giants or victory? Ashtoreth or God? It’s up to us; we choose.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 4-30-18

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Psalm 37:4 (NKJV) 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

This is a promise.

I have seen this happen in my own life, the more I turn to God. And I mean turn to Him for everything. He has turned my life around and made it beautiful! I can honestly say He knows me better than I know myself.

This verse is telling us something that I personally wish I had gotten earlier in my walk with God. I was a Christian since childhood and I am just now starting to understand what God is saying to me here.

I did a lot of things in my life. I’ve been through a lot of different kinds of trials. Most of these things I brought on myself. Some were very hard to get through. But nevertheless, God was there with me and helped me through it all.

How much easier and enjoyable my days would have been if only I had taken this verse and applied it to myself. If only I walked it out at an earlier stage in my life, I may very well have been able to avoid a lot of things that brought pain.

It’s OK, though, because I do understand it now. We know the saying; better late than never, right?

I share this with you all today because we love each and every one of you. You are very dear to Pastor Curt and me. We want God’s best for you and for you to be able to have the desires of your heart!

We have not met most of you face to face, but there is a spiritual connection that God has connected us with, and we believe we are closer than we realize.

This verse is beautiful! God is saying, if you put me first in all that you do, you will live out a life that is simply beautiful. And at times when you reflect on it, you won’t even know how it happened.

Have fun, enjoy Him, go after Him. Draw near to our Lord…let Him be our delight.

The rest will be history!!

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 3-8-18

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Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV) 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Where do our treasures lie? Are they in the material things that we possess? Or are they in the things of God, the things He shows us and the things that draw us closer to Him?

As we endeavor to draw nearer to Him and strengthen our relationship with Him, the things that are in our heart will either help us or hinder us in our walk with Him.

The things of this world can develop a very strong grip on our hearts if we’re not careful to guard it.

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Everything that we set our minds and hands to do takes up our time and requires our effort to accomplish. Many times, we don’t see or understand how many “little extras” are required when we get involved in something or buy a new possession.

We might take on a task and only see the surface of it, the time or effort that we think is involved. But, once we’re into it, it actually requires much more time and energy to pursue and master. And each minute or hour we give up to this is less time that we have in our relationship with God.

It’s important that we count the cost and not make sudden or rash decisions and choices.

Luke 14:28 (NKJV) 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it…

We obviously need some “down time” once in a while. God isn’t against us spending time doing things we enjoy. But He also wants us to make our choices carefully, letting His spirit lead us as we make those choices and decisions.

And if we can learn to do that on a regular basis, we’ll find ourselves getting into less things that cause us to become too busy and preoccupied with activities that can suck up our time and energy, leaving God in last place.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 1-22-18

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Mark 4:19 (NKJV) 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

How is our walk with God today? Have we lost Him somewhere in the shuffle? Is our heart so bogged down with the cares of the things around us that He seems far away, off in the distance somewhere?

Time to put on the brakes, slow down and pull back on some things. Time to put first things first, get back on track and stop toying with things that are only there to distract us from what we really need to be doing.

It happens. The cares of the world try to take over. It’s up to us to stop it from happening!

We need to be seeking God, first and foremost. Everything else will work its way out as we do this.

He is our Anchor. He is our Rock. He holds us together. Don’t let Him be the One that is lost. Everything else comes after Him.

Today, let’s make a decision within our hearts to slow it down and get back on track. He is our #1 priority, before anyone or anything else.

Let’s not lose Him in the shuffle.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 10-28-17

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Psalm 37:4 (NKJV) 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Finding ourselves in love with God, and Who He is, is one of the most wonderful things that could happen to us here on this earth.

Some try to find happiness in material things. Some try to find happiness in a certain lifestyle. Some try to find happiness through being married and having a family. Some may even go after a certain crowd of friends. Some think they will be happy with a certain title.

It’s sad but true, that some have spent their life chasing after happiness and never really found it.

If we would take all that trying and put it toward going after our first love, we will find sound, grounded, pure happiness. And through it all, God will bless us with the desires of our hearts.

1 John 4:19 (NKJV) 19 We love Him because He first loved us.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 10-4-17

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Ecclesiastes 1:14 (NKJV) 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. 

Life can seem as though it has no meaning sometimes. We can go from day to day, wondering why we’re here, why we’re alive, and whether our life has any real value. 

Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. He was also the richest man who ever lived. He had everything that any man (or woman) would ever want or need. 

And yet, after living and experiencing all that he walked through, he concluded that life is only vanity and grasping for the wind. 

We might look at Solomon’s life and wonder why he would say that. After all, he had everything. He had wealth, wisdom, pleasures and so much more. Why, after being blessed so abundantly, would he write such things? 

The answer is simple. He saw the frivolity in those things. He saw how people spent their lives chasing after wealth, pleasure and other tangible things. And he understood that those things are worth nothing when compared to living a life that pleases God. 

Solomon had more wives and concubines that possibly any other man that lived. He didn’t lack attention or physical pleasure. 

He had more wealth than any other man has ever been able to accumulate. He never lacked any kind of possessions. 

And he had a kingdom of people at his service. He was well taken care of. 

So, there is a valuable lesson for all of us in his words. 

If someone who had as much as Solomon did would speak such words about life being vanity and grasping for the wind, while being so abundantly blessed with worldly materials and comforts, it would benefit each and every one of us to pay close attention and make sure that our time and efforts are put into pursuing God, and not the things of this world. 

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie 

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808 

401-315-0902

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 7-14-17

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Matthew 7:7 (NKJV) 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Jesus told us that if we ask, we will receive. This is a truth to live by. God is a good Father who gives us what we need in our lives here on earth.

Many times, we hear this quoted by people claiming that we can and should use this principle to gain abundant amounts of material wealth and prosperity.

That is not the truth. That is a perversion of scripture that has taken a simple verse and twisted it to promote a dangerous doctrine. And people with itching ears have flocked to it, with their hopes and hearts set on getting rich. God is treated as a magic piggy bank that can be shaken and manipulated until money falls out.

Based on that teaching, wealth comes first. And, sadly, God is placed somewhere below first place. He is a means to an end. A Genie in a lamp, to be rubbed and used to fulfill wishes on demand.

But God always needs to come first. Our number 1 priority should be to grow closer to Him and please Him. God has told us that if we do that, He will honor our commitment and bless us. But the blessings should never be the motivating factor.

Clearly, God has no problem with us becoming wealthy. But becoming wealthy requires hard work, dedication and perseverance, not just speaking it into existence or hoping that God will drop it out of the sky because we ask Him over and over again.

So, let us give to God. Let us give with a pure heart and no motives. And when we’re in need, we can ask of Him without shame and with expectancy that He will give to us also.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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