(no subject)
I'm noticing this trend in me lately. I first noticed it last night, so it's pretty fresh, but wonderful nonetheless. I had just finished reading about the latest military strike by Israel into Gaza, and as usual my heart broke for the civilian Palestinians that were killed, my heart continued to break for those that have joined Hamas given basically no alternatives to feed their families, or to defend themselves. After that sorrow had set in, I noticed something new. Before I really knew what I was doing, I found myself praying for Israel, specifically those involved in the military strike, but also everyone in Israel. I found myself asking a question "Who do I feel the worst for... those who are persecuted, or those who persecute and don't realize that what they are doing is wrong?" I realized that Israel is the more deceived, and as such is more in need of my intercession. Then I looked at America and realized that of all the world, we are easily the most deceived. Having the most and giving the least. Needless to say, there was a lot of prayer, and a lot of heartbreak last night.
God is actually cultivating a heart in me, for all people, the accused and the accuser, the saint and the sinner. Father I pray that all pride is removed from me right now. This is not about me, but about you.
I also realized last night where myself and many other people have gone wrong in relationships, or really anywhere in life. We get into this habit of seeking God "so that...". Put whatever you want there, it will never belong. Seek God so that we can be in right relationship, seek God so that He can tell me where to go, or what to do. Seek God so that I will have peace. Some of you will think of "Seek first the Kingdom and all these things shall be added unto you." Does that verse provide us with a second thing? It doesn't say "seek first the kingdom, and then once you've done that seek peace, or direction, or anything." It's implication is "Seek first the Kingdom and then GOD will add all these things unto you." Yes God can provide unity, peace, direction... you name it. But seeking Him should never become a means to an end. It is our means and our end. We seek Him because He is worthy of being sought, we seek Him to seek Him, because we can do no else.
God needs to start becoming my all, instead of my "so that."
God is actually cultivating a heart in me, for all people, the accused and the accuser, the saint and the sinner. Father I pray that all pride is removed from me right now. This is not about me, but about you.
I also realized last night where myself and many other people have gone wrong in relationships, or really anywhere in life. We get into this habit of seeking God "so that...". Put whatever you want there, it will never belong. Seek God so that we can be in right relationship, seek God so that He can tell me where to go, or what to do. Seek God so that I will have peace. Some of you will think of "Seek first the Kingdom and all these things shall be added unto you." Does that verse provide us with a second thing? It doesn't say "seek first the kingdom, and then once you've done that seek peace, or direction, or anything." It's implication is "Seek first the Kingdom and then GOD will add all these things unto you." Yes God can provide unity, peace, direction... you name it. But seeking Him should never become a means to an end. It is our means and our end. We seek Him because He is worthy of being sought, we seek Him to seek Him, because we can do no else.
God needs to start becoming my all, instead of my "so that."