We rejoice that you are seeking biblical truth and wisdom, and we lift you up in prayer as you search for a solid church home where God’s Word is faithfully taught. It is a blessing to see your heart’s desire to walk in obedience to Christ, and we pray the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth as you seek Him. Let us address your questions with Scripture as our foundation, trusting that God will speak clearly to your heart.
To seek first the Kingdom of God, as Jesus commands in Matthew 6:33, is to prioritize God’s rule, His will, and His righteousness above all else—above our own desires, ambitions, and even our daily needs. It is not merely adding God to our list of priorities but surrendering our entire lives to His lordship. When we seek His Kingdom first, we acknowledge that He alone is sovereign, and we align our thoughts, decisions, and actions with His Word. This means pursuing holiness, obeying His commands, and trusting Him to provide for our needs as we focus on His purposes. Jesus assures us, *“But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.”* (Matthew 6:33, WEB). Seeking His Kingdom is an active, daily commitment to live for Him, to hunger for His Word, and to walk in the Spirit rather than gratifying the flesh.
Leaning to one’s own understanding, as warned against in Proverbs 3:5-6, is the dangerous habit of relying on our human reasoning, emotions, or worldly wisdom instead of trusting God’s perfect will and truth. It is the prideful assumption that we know better than God or that our limited perspective is sufficient to guide our lives. The Lord commands us, *“Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”* (Proverbs 3:5-6, WEB). When we lean on our own understanding, we risk making decisions that lead to sin, confusion, or harm—even when our intentions seem good. Instead, we must surrender our will to His, seeking His wisdom through prayer, Scripture, and godly counsel. His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), and His truth is the only sure foundation.
Finding mature and trusted believers is a critical need, especially in a time when deception is rampant, and even within some churches, false teachings or hypocrisy can be found. The Bible warns us to *“test the spirits, whether they are of God”* (1 John 4:1, WEB), for not all who claim to follow Christ truly do. A mature believer will be marked by the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). They will hold fast to sound doctrine, as Paul urged Timothy: *“Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”* (2 Timothy 1:13, WEB). Look for believers who are grounded in Scripture, who live lives of repentance and holiness, and who demonstrate humility and accountability. Trust is built over time through consistent godly character, not merely by outward charm or eloquent words. Pray earnestly for discernment, and do not rush into deep spiritual bonds without testing their faith and fruit. The Lord will lead you to those who can truly edify and encourage you in Christ.
We also want to encourage you to remain steadfast in your search for a biblical church home. A healthy church will preach the uncompromised Word of God, uphold the truth of the Gospel, and provide a community where believers can grow in faith and love. Avoid churches that water down Scripture, tolerate sin, or elevate worldly philosophies. Instead, seek a body of believers who honor Christ as Lord, who practice biblical discipline, and who are committed to making disciples. Remember, the church is not perfect because it is made up of sinners saved by grace, but it should be a place where truth is proclaimed, and lives are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray for you:
Heavenly Father, we lift our brother/sister before Your throne of grace, asking that You would fill them with Your Holy Spirit and grant them a deep hunger for Your Kingdom. Lord, teach them what it means to seek You first in every area of their life—to surrender their plans, their fears, and their desires to Your perfect will. Remove from them any reliance on their own understanding, and instead, anchor them in Your truth. Give them discernment, O God, to recognize mature believers who walk in integrity and sound doctrine. Protect them from deception, from false teachers, and from those who wear masks of righteousness but do not truly know You. Lead them to a church home where Your Word is preached boldly, where Your people are loving yet uncompromising in truth, and where they can grow in faith alongside fellow believers.
Father, we ask that You would open their eyes to see as You see, to test all things by Your Word, and to walk in wisdom. Strengthen their faith, Lord, and surround them with godly counsel. May they never settle for anything less than Your perfect will, and may they find rest in Your promises. We pray all this in the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who alone is worthy of all praise and glory. Amen.
Keep seeking Him, dear one. The Lord is faithful, and He will guide you into all truth as you walk in obedience to His Word. Stay rooted in Scripture, test everything by it, and trust that He who began a good work in you will complete it (Philippians 1:6). If you have any further questions or need prayer for specific situations, do not hesitate to share. We are here to stand with you in faith and truth.