What Do You Want From Him?

I hope you carefully read last week’s message: “Will You Miss Out In 2019?”, because it cuts to the chase of my message and that is encouraging everyone to walk closer to our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Today I want to discuss what it is what you’re truly seeking from Jesus…

Matthew 7:  7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

 9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

At the very least, He’s already given us the gift of life. Whatever gifts, talents, skills and abilities He’s given us is a bonus. It is up to us to make the most of all that He has blessed us with. This is how we glorify God, by doing what we’ve been purposed to do, to the best of our ability, while giving Him all the praise and thanking Him through all circumstances, good and bad.

1 Peter 4: 10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Isn’t that awesome?

Did you catch that? “everything you do will bring glory to God” isn’t that the coolest thing? To know that everything you do could bring glory to God?

God wants us to seek Him so that we might know what true living is all about. Before knowing Jesus on a personal level, I simply existed. I was alive, but only in a physical sense, living a life without much hope, peace, or passion. Now that I know Him more intimately, relying on Him for everything, I have hope, peace and a great passion to pursue Him more and tell others about how great He is. This is truly living, far superior to simply existing. Not just in a physical sense, but spiritually becoming one with Him. His delights started to become my delights. His sadness became my sadness. What He’s passionate about became my passion.

You Only Live Once

1 Peter 1: 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver.

I used to desire a new truck or at least one that runs well (this was when I had my ’98 Ranger). But eventually I became content, beyond my own belief, with my twelve-year-old, green Ford Ranger. It came complete with its constant “check engine” light, transmission problems, and banged-up sides. The truck itself was a miracle, at one time it ran without oil for about 6 weeks! There is a reason God did not provide a truck to replace it. He used that truck to teach me to trust in Him to sustain it, which He had. I no longer desired a better truck! This awareness has taught me that He can truly change my heart and this gives me unspeakable joy. There is hope, even for me.

Change does not happen quickly, as in the movies.

This change of heart did not happen overnight, but after spending much time with Him on a regular, if not daily basis, feeding on His Word, at His feet, and meeting with other seekers that sought Him as much as I did.

In this way, I can thank Him for so much more than I ever thought possible. What truly excites me is knowing that His love is endless and that He has so much more to teach me. Though I can clearly see my weaknesses and faults in light of His Word, He’s shown me that I can have peace in knowing that it’s His role to perfect me so long as I remain humble and willing for Him to change me day in and day out. It is this change in me, like that of a caterpillar turned butterfly, which is molding me into a new creation. This brings much glory to Him.

It is my hope and prayer that you, the reader, will join with me so that we can run this race together and meet up with Him for a glorious feast rejoicing together about how wonderful He is.

John 10: 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Do you really seek what He has to offer you?

Do you want to make the most of this life and have no regrets as you look back? Carefully consider how you choose to live in 2019. If you desire a greater presence of God in your life, you can have that.

James 4: 7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you.Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

God expects us to grow and the more we grow and get to know God, the more peace we will receive:

2 Peter 1:  2 May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

If you are looking to develop a habit of daily reading or looking for others that pursue God as seriously as you do then consider joining us in 2019 and bring a friend that can grow with you in discipleship.

What do you expect from your life in Christ?

“Dear Lord, thank you for the changes you’ve made in me so far and thank you for what you’re doing in my life today. You really do know what’s best for me and I know that you love me and desire my heart. Please lead more people to know you. Use me, Lord, to tell others about how wonderful you really are. Help me to inspire others to get to know you and thank you in advance in leading me to greater heights. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo by Christine Donaldson on Unsplash