April 27, 2011

What Do You Want?

Do you seek great things for yourself? —Jeremiah 45:5
 Are you seeking great things for yourself, instead of seeking to be a great person? God wants you to be in a much closer relationship with Himself than simply receiving His gifts— He wants you to get to know Him. Even some large thing we want is only incidental; it comes and it goes. But God never gives us anything incidental. There is nothing easier than getting into the right relationship with God, unless it is not God you seek, but only what He can give you. If you have only come as far as asking God for things, you have never come to the point of understanding the least bit of what surrender really means. You have become a Christian based on your own terms. You protest, saying, “I asked God for the Holy Spirit, but He didn’t give me the rest and the peace I expected.” And instantly God puts His finger on the reason-you are not seeking the Lord at all; you are seeking something for yourself. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you . . .” (Matthew 7:7). Ask God for what you want and do not be concerned about asking for the wrong thing, because as you draw ever closer to Him, you will cease asking for things altogether. “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). Then why should you ask? So that you may get to know Him. Are you seeking great things for yourself? Have you said, “Oh, Lord, completely fill me with your Holy Spirit”? If God does not, it is because you are not totally surrendered to Him; there is something you still refuse to do. Are you prepared to ask yourself what it is you want from God and why you want it? God always ignores your present level of completeness in favor of your ultimate future completeness. He is not concerned about making you blessed and happy right now, but He’s continually working out His ultimate perfection for you— “. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22).

12 comments:

  1. Perfect timing just this morning my prayer was Lord please let me be a better mother today than I was yesterday. Not because I was particularly "bad" yesterday I just know that with God I can do a LOT better. Then it occurred to me that if I prayed that each morning it would multiply upon itself. Glory to God it really is a fine sort of day. : )
    Thank you for writing this. Hope your day is one of peace.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi! Stumbled you...would love if you could stumble me back:
    http://www.keenlykristin.com/2011/04/please-help-lizzie-get-her-wish.html

    Thanks!
    Kristin :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm so glad this was encouraging. I just want to make it clear I didn't write this. This is from My Utmost for His Highest, my favorite devotional. I post the ones that really speak to my heart in the hope that it will speak to someone else's heart the same way. =)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi I gave you an award because you so deserved it. Please come to my blog to claim it. Thank you! http://thebartonlife-est1995.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  5. stumbled here: http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhisperfectpromises.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fwhat-do-you-want.html&title=God%27s+Perfect+Promises%3A+What+Do+You+Want%3F

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the blog! Very peaceful! Hop here from Thirsty Thursdau!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wonderful, wonderful post!! I love it. I want to feel like I'm always with God and that he surrounds me, but I always fall short. I never quite get there. I know that I don't do as much as I can do or should do. I don't keep him in my life as much as I should, although obviously He is there. I just don't open myself up to Him enough to receive what He has to offer.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love your blog header!! Where is that??

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love this. I think one of the most important parts of being spiritual is being engaged. It's a two way street--not just asking for things but also being willing to learn and trust in your higher power. Surrender is so important. To dictate what we think we need and feel misunderstood both implies that that we are still self-centered and trying to control the situation. To do so misses the point completely. Instead we need realize our higher power is the center around which we revolve.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I believe its in Washington. I found it online and thought it was beautiful, too

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hello..stumbled here to visit u.. do keep in touch...

    ReplyDelete