Jeremiah 29:13 – And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (KJV)

Recently, I received an interesting e-mail in response to a post I had written in 2006 on ancestry.com. As you can imagine, I was very surprised and delighted finally to receive an answer after all this time! Even more amazing, this e-mail led to the information that I had been seeking for so long. As a result, I am blessed to have met my third cousin, who has fond memories of my grandparents and other members of my mother's family. What is more, she has sent me a copy of a special photograph showing our great-grandfather from Barcelona, as well as the written records of many other relatives.

This experience reminded me of the steps that I once took in seeking a personal relationship with the Lord. First, I listened to the testimony of others. Next, Bible study was vital in confirming the scriptural record for my own assurance. Then, after carefully examining the information available to me, I began piecing it together, much like the historical research involved with years of family history. Consequently, as God promised in today's verse from Jeremiah, I discovered the Lord. Over time, His awesome image began to emerge even more brightly, like a spiritual photograph flashing across every page of the holy Bible.

If we search for God's truth with all our hearts, we will no doubt find Him who is the central person of both the Old and New Testaments: the Messiah of Israel, the Son of the living God. As Jesus said:

John 5:39 – Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (KJV)

Luke 24:27 – And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, [Jesus] expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (KJV)

The best part about meeting my cousin was learning that we both share faith in the Lord. This, I believe is the tie that truly binds. Although genealogy is a fun and exciting hobby, it can educate us only in regard to the past, leaving no hope for the future. In contrast, Bible study not only imparts the knowledge of God throughout history, but also it offers eternal life to those who believe.

Discovering who Jesus is is only the beginning. As Christians, it is up to us to search the scriptural records diligently by piecing together the invaluable information God has preserved for us down through the centuries.

Have you searched for Him with all your heart? What amazing new things have you discovered? May we choose each day to make Bible study a priority in our lives as we seek to know better both Him and "the hope to which he has called you". (Ephesians 1:18 NIV)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the written Word that has withstood the test of time. May all who seek Your face rejoice in the revelation of Your Son, Who is the way, the truth, and the life. Grant that we may read, learn, and inwardly digest all that He has taught us, as we look always to Your Holy Spirit for guidance. In Jesus' blessed name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lori Ciccanti <dlalsina@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, Delaware, USA
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