Heart to Heart was created for women, just like you, who are so busy they sometimes neglect the most important things in life, like taking care of themselves, investing in relationships and the big one, seeking after the Lord. After Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea during the reign of King Herod, a band of scholars that some call the wise men and others magi, arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star that signaled his birth in the eastern sky. We’re on a pilgrimage to do homage and worship him.” When word of their inquiries reached Herod, he was deeply disturbed, as was most of Jerusalem. Herod immediately gathered all of the high priests and religious scholars in the city and asked them where the Messiah was supposed to be born? They didn’t even have to do a Google search; they knew…Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote, ‘O Bethlehem of Judah, you are not just a lowly village in Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.”

Armed with this crucial information, Herod arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Devious man that he was, Herod pretended to be as devout as they were so that he could find out when the birth-announcement star first appeared. He told them about the prophecy concerning Bethlehem, and urged them to go find the child, leaving no stone unturned. He also told them that when they found him to immediately send back word so that he could join them in worship. Oblivious to his real objectives, the scholars set off to do as the king had instructed. When they set out, the same star that they had seen in the eastern skies appeared again and led them ‘til it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place at the right time! They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country. Matt 2:1-12
The wise men teach us two important things about our relationship with God and that is to “stay focused” and “keep seeking”! They journeyed on camelback from the East (probably Iran) – for almost 2 years! Think of the difficulties such a journey would entail: the cold…heat…sand storms…cloudy nights…away from the comforts of home, family and friends. For what? A star that they believed signaled the coming Messiah. Think about it: is there any cause for which you’d be willing to put your life ‘on hold’ for 2 years in order to pursue?

But also think about how easily we become distracted and discouraged. Someone said, ‘it isn’t the mountain ahead that wears you out – it’s the grain of sand in your shoe’. It is the little annoying things…the everyday cares and frustrations of life that sidetrack us. Do you remember the parable of the seed and soils found in Matt 13? The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life, so no crop is produced. Think about how easily we become discouraged over our apparent lack of progress. What dream have you given up on because it just didn’t seem like it was ever going to happen. Don’t quit, don’t give in, don’t give up!

Lazy people want much but get little, while the diligent are prospering. Prov 13:4 TLB

Word of God…We mostly get discouraged with ourselves. Where there is breath…there is hope. Keep Seeking… I know that it has almost become a cliché’ but, “Wise Men Still Seek Him!”

One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.” Ps 27:4-5, 8 NKJV

I hope ALL of us recognize that we don’t know everything & dare not be content, but continue pursuing Him w/all our heart!

“Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.
Matt 7:7-8 NLT

Come on now…we’re all a bit lazy from time to time. I am. So are you. Do you get up to change the channel on the television or do you use the clicker? We do seek for some things, but do we seek after the Lord…or do we take Him for granted.

• Seek Him for wisdom, knowledge and understanding. The older I get the less I know.
• Seek Him for comfort. Life just keeps dishing things out…we continually need to seek Him for His mercy, grace and comfort.
• Most of all seek Him for who He is…the lover of your soul, your savior, bridegroom, redeemer and friend. That’s what lover’s do. Just like you call out for loved ones when you first get home.

If you are interested in knowing more about Heart to Heart, you can e-mail me at chris@h2hworldwide.com. If you are interested in receiving 6 free lessons designed to empower and instruct, sign up today. The small group curriculum has already been translated into Spanish and is presently being translated into French. Our goal is to translate the curriculum into many of the languages of the underserved nations of the world. There has been so little information available to Christian women in some of these countries in the past. If you know someone who is able and willing to translate the curriculum into another language, please e-mail me. We are also sponsoring Heart to Heart Conferences in different nations. Just as Heart to Heart was a fresh approach for women’s ministry here in the states, we plan to make these conferences unique to the nations they are serving. Have a blessed and seeking holiday season.

Much love…

Chris McQuay

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