What Are Your Motives?

As we begin this week, here are a few things to think about... Many times when we set space aside in our life to fast, pray, study the Word, and meditate on the Lord we do it based on selfish motives.  I believe it is good to have a plan of action for your time with God; however, we also need to realize that if we are doing these things only to receive what we want that is a selfish motive.   In Mark Chapter 3 we find that the crowds followed Jesus many times just to receive something from him.  

Mark 3:7-10  “7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea 

8 and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. 

9 And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, 

10 for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him.”

There were a lot of people crowding Jesus that day, but they were not really interested in getting to know Him. They were only interested in what they could get from Him. They only wanted to be healed of their diseases. Jesus, as the healer and miracle worker, was very popular, but Jesus wasn’t interested in popularity.  He wanted people to hear the message behind the miracle.  The Bible does say that Jesus healed many of them.  He blesses us at times even when we are seeking the blessing and not the blesser.

That brings me to my challenge for this week:  Whatever your motives might be can we not lay aside the list of things we are praying about and seek His face!  Could we not make the purpose of this time of consecration to know Jesus and draw closer to him in a deeper way?  Could we not make it our desire to know the one in whom all blessing flow.  Take time today to refocus yourself on the ways of the Lord, for when we seek him first and his kingdom all other things are taken care of. 

Pastor P.

21 DAYS OF CONSECRATION

21 DAYS OF CONSECRATION

21 days of Consecration begins this Sunday January 8-21, 2012.   I want to challenge you to take part in this corporate fast for a mighty move of God’s Spirit in our personal lives, our families, church, community and nation!  The next few weeks God is calling us to a deeper walk and revelation of Jesus.   The church needs to encourage, and build up one another in this fast.  Here are some pointers of how our fast might reach its full potential in our lives:

·        Stay focused on the things of God. (Listen, watch and do things to keep your mind on Christ)

·        If at all possible, don’t miss church.  (You will need the extra boost in your life.)

·        Stay focused on the things you want God to do in your life, as a result of this fast.

·        Feed your mind with the Word, prayer, meditation, and Worship.  Avoid the things of the world during your fast,(i.e. limit TV, internet, and other amusements).  Instead, feed your mind with Christian music, books, messages, prayer, meditation, and worship.

·        Keep a journal.  It helps to write down your thoughts, and feelings during the fast!

·        Remember; above all else, this is your time to really hear from God!

To help in the fast we will be doing some things differently during the next three weeks.  Wednesday Nights we will be having revival type services in the sanctuary.  Let us keep our eyes on Jesus and our prayers focused!  This is a time you can, and will hear from God, if you will just put your whole heart into seeking His face.

Pastor, P.