Happy New Year! In this episode I (Jordan) introduce you to the concept of SGT and what you can expect. Have a blessed 2022.

Today we will read Psalm 34:8 which says, “Taste and See that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him!”

This verse could have began with, “Think and know.” Or “Try and Focus.” Or “Ponder and meditate.” But it doesn’t. It says “Taste. Taste and See.”

Your senses of tasting and seeing root you to the world around you as do your other senses. Thinking and pondering is important. But it’s easy to daydream and lose connection with what’s right in front of you. What can snap you back to reality? Something that tastes good.

Taste and see.

Have you noticed how easy it is to speak and think of God as incomprehensible? Completely outside of our everyday experience? And while I believe that He is far greater than we could ever imagine, this seems to be an open challenge to tangibly experience Him. Will you accept it?

Taste and see.

How do you go about tasting and seeing God? Maybe we start where you are and move outward: You are here. You came from somewhere. You didn’t come from nowhere. You have a story. There’s a story for everyone and everything all the way to the entire universe itself. What do you suppose would motivate God to go through all the trouble? It seems like He actually wanted to come up with an elaborate, finely detailed, beautiful, powerful design filled with life capable of tasting and seeing that He is good. He’s almost begging you. Go ahead. Look around. Taste. See that He is good.

“God, it seems strange to taste and see You. But I didn’t write it. I accept the challenge. I want it. So go ahead. Show me just how good You are!”

Today we will read Genesis 1:1 - the first verse in the Bible. It says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

There was a beginning to the universe. And there is One who began it - God. It would take scientists millennia to discover that evidence points to a finite beginning.

Do you find it challenging to believe in miracles? There’s no more consequential miracle than the resurrection of Jesus Christ right? Or is there? You are in a gigantic miracle. The universe itself and the abundance of life is a miracle. And without God, there would be nothing. If you find miracles difficult, just remember that you’re in one right now. You may take it for granted every moment, but it’s no less miraculous.

And if God could generate a universe with His mind, why would any miracle be unbelievable? Miracles are not difficult to believe when literally everything is a miracle. God, You have revealed Your glory for all to see who are willing to look. This universe, my own life, is a miracle. With You, anything is possible.

Today we will read Psalm 19:1-2. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge.”

Do you ever wonder, “Where do I start?” In such a noisy frantic world, and in your noisy frantic life, how do you even begin to look to God?

The answer is here. Look to what He has made. The heavens declare! When was the last time you looked at the multitude of stars on a clear night, or took some time to go on a walk, and marvel at the variety of trees and plants. They are beautiful aren’t they? They’re inspiring. They’re meant to be.

These created things are speaking. Night after night, all the time, they speak to you imparting to you knowledge about the Creator. What are they declaring? His glory. God we seek Your glory and we marvel at the work of Your hands.

Today we will read Jeremiah 29:12-13. It says, “You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”

Let’s break it down. You will call - and pray. To call on God is to pray. Prayer is not a laundry list. Or passive thoughtless bliss. It’s calling on God. Just as you would call on a friend, or someone you trust. And God promises that He will listen.

You will seek and find Him. The object of your quest is not more money, more health, more…whatever… And why should it be? You have the potential of finding the inexhaustible Source of all things! Why spend a moment looking for a few extra bucks if you have unfettered access to the Federal Reserve? Why swim in the kiddie pool when the Ocean is yours? God says that the ultimate find, is God Himself.

And finally, this endless treasure is for you to find, when you “Search” when you “seek” with what? With your WHOLE heart. How do you know if you’re seeking with your WHOLE heart? Well how do you know when you do anything with your WHOLE heart? The answer is simple. You DO it. Do you want to start an exercise program? You know you’re doing it with your WHOLE heart when you DO it. You may not FEEL like doing it. You may hate it. But you do it.

You know you are seeking God with your WHOLE heart, when you DO it. And you are doing it now. So don’t fear. Instead boldly go for it. Spend a moment and ask God to show you what He’s like. You could say…

“God, I believe you listen when I call. And I’m calling out to you - that you would allow me to find You. Would you then reveal Yourself to me? I love you.”

Today we will read Hebrews 11:6 which says, “Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who diligently seek Him.”

Think about that. Pay special attention to the second part of this verse. “The one who draws near” (that’s you right now) “must believe that He exists” (You may be filled with doubt. You may have 1000 questions about God and His existence. But the fact that you’ve chosen to reach out to Him is a step of faith. There are many things you “do” in your day that you don’t have 100% assurance of. But the fact that you choose to do, is what matters.)

The last part of the verse is the promise “He rewards those who diligently seek Him.”

He rewards the seeker. That’s you. Does that excite you? Imagine what the infinite God of the Universe has at His disposal to reward you with… Do you want that? It’s not wrong to desire His rewards. But notice, it says “diligently seek”. That means careful to seek. It means regularly seek.

It may seem odd, but let’s ask God to reward you for this moment.

“God we believe in you. We don’t have it all figured out. But we believe. And we believe that You reward the seeker. Reward us then. Reward us with a sense of Your Presence. Reward us by blessing our activities today. Reward us by prospering us, and fighting our battles. Reward us with a renewed spirit that looks more like Jesus Christ. Reward us. We love you. Amen.”

Today we will read Matthew 22:36-38. Jesus is asked by one of the religious elites, “Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment.”

Jesus always responds well. Little known fact, Jesus most often quotes from the Psalms. But the book that comes in second is Deuteronomy. And it is here that Jesus quotes.

What is it to love God? Is there anyone who can definitively answer that? Love is something we understand at a gut level but can’t exactly pin down. What is it to love anyone? It’s at the very least strong affection. Honor. Care. Attention. Goodwill. Respect. Warmth. Deep feeling. Whatever it is exactly seems to be what moves the heart of God. God responds to love.

Maybe we’re not supposed to have an exhaustive definition. Maybe it’s not definable in words. But scripture helps. Consider what it says to love with…

Love God with your mind. That at least seems to be your thoughts. Your intentions.

Love God with your heart. This seems to be your feelings. Your emotions. The less tangible part of your thinking.

Love God with your soul. I honestly don’t know what to do with this. Once I’ve engaged my mind and heart, what is left? But there seems to be something - the soul. The real you. The deepest you. Love God with that. That will touch heaven.

“God I love You - You are absolutely lovely and attractive. But I want more. My soul needs to be set on fire by You - then I’ll be able to love you more and more.”