One Thing, or Nothing

[roadrunner570]

One Thing, or Nothing

Ps 27:4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

Recently out at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, they held the annual One Thing Conference. While I wasn't able to attend, I have seen some DVD clips from that weekend. The above verse is the core verse and sort of the motto for the conference. One thing. David is asking in this verse to dwell in the house of the Lord all his days. He isn't asking for wealth, he isn't asking for beautiful women, lands or titles. He asks for one thing, to dwell with God.


One thing

David could have asked for almost anything. Now, I know throughout his life, David did ask for other things. Yet, I get the feeling that if he could only have one thing, it would have been this request. How often do we ask God for this? I know when I read this, it gave me goosebumps. I often ask God for almost everything BUT this one thing. Yet, this is the one thing we should be seeking. Its so easy to get caught up in our daily lives and focused on finances, church and school activities, work, etc. In doing so, we must not forget about the one thing that matters.


Seeking the Lord

David uses the word “seek” twice in this passage. Seeking God isn't something we do until we are saved. I've known many who say they are searching for God, and then when they become a Christian, its like “Okay, I found him.” Seeking the Lord is a lifelong journey. We only know of him that which he has chosen to reveal to us through his word. So there is so much more about God that we do not know. Whether or not he chooses to reveal that is up to him. Yet, through spending time in his word, and time with him in prayer, we can continue to grow closer to him and he will reveal more of himself to us.

On a personal note, that is when I find things in God's word that I never understood before. Perhaps after spending some time in prayer, I go back and read a verse that I've read hundreds of times over. Suddenly its like something hits me, “So THAT is what that verse means!” It often seems so simple, yet I'd missed it for so many years. Its so amazing when God reveals himself to me in this way. This does not mean that I'm more godly or spiritual than anyone else, nor does it make me any type of prophet or seer or anything else. This is something that God can do for anyone who seeks after him.


One thing, or nothing

Yeah, I know the verse doesn't say this, but I think it fits in here. David was seeking after this one thing. If we don't have this one thing, this fellowship and journey after God, then we truly have nothing. We may have all of the money and power in the world. We might be the most handsome or most beautiful person in the world. But eventually, all of those things will shrivel up and die. Then what will we be left with? That is why we must seek after God. He is the beginning and the end. He never goes away. He is our hope, our lives. He is that One Thing.


http://youtube.com/watch?v=8T2Z69I4j6Y


Tim Miller 2008

[barb43]

How much do you know about the International House of Prayer? My employer has a daughter who is caught up in it, and it appears to be very cult-like. I have only read a little bit on their website and can't say much other than what they have told me and I have seen of the daughter. Lots of control is exercised over her - in so far as where she lives, who she spends time with, what she eats, how much money she gives them . . .

Also, be very careful with taking one item of scripture and separating it from all the rest of God's Word. There is no place that i have found in scripture where we are told to do that, and if you read above Tim Miller uses his own words to say, "Yet, I get the feeling that if he could only have one thing, it would have been this request." and "1. One thing, or nothing Yeah, I know the verse doesn't say this, but I think it fits in here." (Italics mine)

[roadrunner570]

How much do you know about the International House of Prayer? My employer has a daughter who is caught up in it, and it appears to be very cult-like. I have only read a little bit on their website and can't say much other than what they have told me and I have seen of the daughter. Lots of control is exercised over her - in so far as where she lives, who she spends time with, what she eats, how much money she gives them . . .

Also, be very careful with taking one item of scripture and separating it from all the rest of God's Word. There is no place that i have found in scripture where we are told to do that, and if you read above Tim Miller uses his own words to say, "Yet, I get the feeling that if he could only have one thing, it would have been this request." and "1. One thing, or nothing Yeah, I know the verse doesn't say this, but I think it fits in here." (Italics mine)

My church has a house of prayer and its not a cult. Cults are about controlling and isolating their members from other churches and friends and families. Our church encourages people to attend other churches and invites visitors from other churches to the house of prayer. Some here have accused us of being a cult, but it is nothing of the sort. There is no brainwashing or anything else going on.

They've modeled it somewhat after the early church. People think we're a cult because many in our church are very intense about their love for Jesus and will follow him at all costs. I see nothing wrong with actually living this way.

I am Tim Miller, I wrote this and I wasn't separating a verse from God's word. I was simply sharing some meaning I got from this verse. This is loosely in sermon format. This is what many pastors and teachers do, take a verse or passage and break it down and share insight about it. Was there anything unbiblical with anything that I shared?

[watchman]

FWIW, barb never called it a cult, but simply warned based upon her own personal account of those connected to it. She questioned from a valid perspective.
You shared your opinion and personal interpretation in an open forum, don't expect everyone to say "Amen".