Word for the day “Learn the significance of our motives”
John 6:25 (NKJV) “Rabbi, when did You come here?” And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him,26 Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
OUR MOTIVES ARE CRITICAL IN ALL THINGS, ESPECIALLY IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD.
Which interests you more, who Jesus is or what the Lord can do for you? I’m afraid that too many of us are more concerned about what the Lord can give us than we are about getting to know the Lord relationally. But this is nothing new, Jesus had this problem when He walked on earth. The crowds often sought Him out for what He could do for them.
Even though their needs were quite often legitimate, Christ knew their motives. And the Lord knows our motives now as well. There is nothing wrong with having need of the Lord but we must make certain about our relational motives with the Lord. It’s time to reflect on our relationship with God! Where are you in your relationship with God?
THERE IS A FINE LINE BETWEEN SINCERE AND SELFISH.
There is a fine line between selfishly trying to use the Lord to get what we want and humbly coming to God with our needs and struggles. Some of the issues we bring to God are so pressing and urgent in our minds that our desire for a genuine relationship literally becomes the least of our concerns. We just want the Lord to take action in the way we want and this motive becomes greater than our willingness to submit to the Lord’s purposeful will in our lives. At times, what we call “faith” is really a “have it your way type of faith”.
We must remember that our personal demands will come to an end, but Jesus Christ will remain forever. If our prayers have dealt only with presenting our requests to the Lord, we have missed a great opportunity to get to know the One with whom we’ll spend eternity. Let’s invest time in pursuing intimacy with Christ. Then we can enjoy the benefits of that relationship forever.
POINT TO PONDER
How much of your communion with God is devoted to your needs—even legitimate ones? Are you spending any time getting to know the Lord? Although God delights in our prayers and tells us to pray about everything, God also wants us to come in His presence just because we enjoy being His child and enjoy intimacy with Lord.
I’m in no way casting condemnation in today’s message. My sole intent to inspire a growth mindset practice that will cause you to flourish beyond human comprehension with the Lord. These messages written are birthed out of my own experiences and challenges relationally with the Lord. Please know I love you all with all of my heart.
Have an amazing day!
Special thanks!
James Baker, Jr. and our leadership team are especially thankful for those of you who provided financial donations and support in the month of July 2022, by partnering with us in efforts to advance the kingdom of God in this 21st century season: Special thanks to Ms. Annette Straker, Mr. Kenneth Washington, Ms. Itholear Abbott, Mrs. Barbara Mason, Ms. Jeanette Grant, Ms. Angela Battle, Ms. Cynthia Artis-Waiters, Ms. Michelle Winder Branch, Ms. Angie Scraders-Murphy, Mr. Calvin Jackson, Mrs. Shakeema Lowe, Ms. Rita McGuffin, Mr. Calvin Griffith, Mrs. Angela Harrison, Ms. Crystal Grant, Ms. Shawna Chester, Ms. Jennifer Sanchez, Ms. Evelyn Rosado, and Ms. Gertrude Scott.
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Kingdom Blessings,