God sent His best ... Are you giving Him yours?

Many times, WE are our own biggest obstacle. God is our Father,  in Heaven, and we, His daughters. Think of how many times, as mothers, we would like to give our children something or take them somewhere, but we can’t/don’t because they are not behaving as they should. Think of all the times, we’ve said, “this is going to hurt me, more than it hurts you.”  It hurts us as parents, when we WANT to bless our children, but have to hold back, because they are not showing themselves deserving.  Consider, that as parents, we do not wish to give our children things or take them places, that are beyond their level of maturity.
As awesome as a new car is – we wouldn’t dare give one to our 12-year old... what would he/she do with it? Either hurt themselves or someone else. As well, consider how we will save money for our children, we will store it up in an account, until they are MATURE enough to handle that amount of money - responsibly. There would be no reason for us to plan, save, and sacrifice, desiring to bless our children – only to give it to them before they are ready and have them spend the money in ways outside of what it was purposed for.  If they are not mature and/or wise enough, they will waste the money (on things of no value), lose it, gamble it away, etc...  "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" Luke 16:10-11

I think you can see where I am going with this. Many times, we are not receiving, not because it isn’t God’s will for our lives, not because He doesn’t want and deeply desire to bless us, certainly not because he isn’t answering our prayers, but because WE ARE NOT READY. We have not done what He has asked US to do, yet we expect Him to bless us. It’s almost ridiculous, when we really sit and think about it. God does not wish for us to behave like spoiled children, “give me, give me, give me”... but instead to have a real, solid relationship with him – one in which we strive to be pleasing to our Father and prove ourselves responsible, and worthy of His trust. One in which, He is confident that when He blesses us,  it will bless His kingdom. He doesn’t bless us solely so that we can benefit, but so that the Kingdom of God can be advanced. We are blessed, so that we in-turn can BE a blessing.  "But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

A relationship in which, we represent our Father well, as we are out and about.  Consider  a parent/child relationship – children are a reflection of their parents. If you see a child (or adult, for that matter) out in public, misbehaving, cursing, drunk or belligerent, dressed provocatively, disrespectful, one who doesn’t manage money well, one who isn’t appreciative, doesn’t have manners, has a bad attitude, is unkept, etc – we have a tendency to wonder about their parents. WHO are their parents? Did they not teach them any better than this? You may even feel sorry for the child/adult. This is the same way that the world looks at us... We have to consider the impression we give others (through our actions/behavior, words, and deeds), of our heavenly Father.  There’s a book called, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff”... well I’d like to encourage you not to MINIMIZE the small stuff. Many times, it is the “small stuff” that can bring someone to Christ and/or turn them away. It’s the small details, found in our daily walk: the language we use, the way we handle challenges and adversity, the way we interact with our co-workers, the activities we choose to be apart of, etc that have the power to reflect God's love, and His spirit.

The bible tells us we are to remove the speck from our OWN eye, before we are truly able to help each other as sisters, to progress ... Luke 6:42 "Or how can you say to your [sister], ‘Sister, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your Sister’s eye."

We all know our own faults and/or areas of weakness better than anyone else. The bible also tells us about the importance of not just reading his word/commands, but DOING them. Implementing his word and commands into our actions, words, behavior, and ultimately our hearts, with the goal of becoming more and more like Him, should be the desire of our hearts. "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be DOERS of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." James 1:20-22 When we do not implement his word into our lives through our actions, thoughts, words, and behaviors, we are only short-changing/deceiving ourselves.

Living Before God Our Father

"Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” ~ 1 Peter 1:13-16

Let's ACT: What is ONE thing you have NOT been doing that you should be - OR - what is ONE thing you HAVE been doing, that you shouldn't be?

Everyone has their own personal struggles, but let's not become stagnant and complacent. Continue to grow and to perfect your walk/relationship/reflection of and with Christ. Together, let's strive to constantly, consciously, and intentionally become BETTER. Perhaps your prayer life is not what is should/could be... Perhaps you can commit to spending MORE time reading His word - you cannot implement something that you don't know. There's a saying, "Those who KNOW better, do better." Increase your knowledge, by spending time in God's word. Set a daily goal - and commit to it. Hold yourself accountable. Maybe your struggle is with profanity. The bible tells us, "Do not let any unwholesome (foul or corruptible) talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 Commit TODAY, to breaking the habit of profanity. The bible also tells us the issues of our hearts flow from our mouths. Many times the struggle with profanity can be won by changing the things you meditate on... "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phil 4:8
Whatever it is, YOU are struggling with... wherever your area of weakness lies. Let's commit TODAY to making a change. God wants and expects the very best from us. More than that, He DESERVES it. He sent His very best to die on the cross for us - the very LEAST we can do is offer our lives as a living sacrifice. What are you offering Him?

What are you willing to commit to TODAY?

Dear God,
I ask that you would bless my sister as she reads this. (the bible says God corrects those he loves). In that spirit Lord God, I ask that you would convict our hearts. How can we become more like you? What do we need to cut from or add to our lives, in order to be a better reflection of you? We know that we, as Christians, are ambassadors of Christ and we desire to represent you well. God, we thank you for sending your Son to die on the cross for our sins... You made the ultimate sacrifice for us, Lord God, and though we could never ever begin to repay you, we ARE willing to make the sacrifices you require of us. Lord, speak to our hearts, we are open and listening for your voice. Lord God, create in us a pure heart and renew within us a righteous spirit. As we go through our day, Lord God, please correct any thoughts or behaviors that are not of you. Let us feel instantly convicted, that we may consciously and intentionally correct our behaviors. Thank you Jesus, for your Holy Spirit that it at work within us. Dear God, we commit today, to die to our flesh, that we may LIVE in you. It is in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Remember! You can do ALL things [not on your own, but] through CHRIST who strengthens you! Philippians 4:13  No habit, no addiction, no behavior, is stronger than the God we serve! "But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, And of justice and might..." Micah 3:8

The awesome thing about this is, as we MEET the goals we have set (and recorded here) for ourselves - replacing negative habits, with positive ones, - we can come back and share, HOW we overcame our faults, shortcomings, etc. We can share the ways God moves in our lives,  so that perhaps others who are going through the SAME struggles, can be encouraged. As well, growth is a continual process.  So once we overcome the challenge we set for ourselves, we can/should repeat the process – constantly evolving. Seeking God, we can ask Him to search our hearts (again)... bringing to light anything (else) that is not like Him - and repeat the cycle. Sorta like a to-do list, crossing things out as we accomplish them! :-)