WHAT IF GOD is interested in our presence and not our productivity?
We often think we can satisfy him through what we do, only to discover what he needs most is our presence.
What he delights in is our intimacy with Him.
YOU cannot love people without spending time with them. Likewise, you cannot say you love God without paying attention to him.
When you draw near to him, he draws near to you. (Jam. 4:8)
JESUS was travelling through a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.
She had a sister named Mary who sat at the feet of Jesus, hanging on to every word he said.
But Martha was consumed with caring for her guests. She was pulled away by the urgent, ignoring the important.
When Martha noticed her sister's absence, she said: "Master, don't you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand."
"Martha, Martha! You worry and fuss about a lot of things. There's only one thing you need. Mary has made the right choice, and that thing you will not take away from her," Jesus replied. (Luke 10:38-42)
Mary chose to worship.
You cannot be close to God without worshipping Him.
OUR SENSE of entitlement puts us in harm's way—and when our worship is rejected, we wonder why.
Cain wondered why God rejected his sacrifice. And God said to him: Why are you angry? Why do you look so sad?
I'll accept you as long as you do what is right. But if you do not do what is right, watch out because sin is crouching at the door, ready to pounce on you! It would help if you mastered it before it masters you. (Gen. 4:6-7)
To be intimate with God, you must do what is right.
AS THE FAMINE'S darkness was setting over Israel, God commanded Elijah to go to the brook.
God wanted him to himself. And when the brook dried up, God told him what to do next.
Get up, and travel to Zarephath. It has Sidon, which is outside Israel. Remain there, and do not leave for any reason. There is a widow in Zarephath whom I have told to take care of you. (1 Kings 17:9)
Elijah could hear God because he paid attention to Him.
Are you paying attention to Him?
GOD WHISPER'S to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world - C.S. Lewis.
Perhaps the pain you're suffering is God shouting to get your attention.
Will you give it to Him?
GOD WILL NOT give you a new instruction until you've obeyed the previous one.
Ask Jonah, and he will tell you what can happen when you walk in disobedience.
God told him to go to Nineveh and cry against the people, but he ran to Tarshish.
He never got far because God sent a storm. And when he was tossed into the sea, he was picked up by a whale that took him to Nineveh. (Jonah 1:4-17)
There's something about disobedience that turns Him off.
Are you obeying Him?
ONE WAY to give attention is by praying to Him.
There are things you can never succeed in except you pray.
Jesus said: Men always ought to pray and not lose heart. (Luke 18:1)
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. So he prayed, and it did not rain for three years and six months. (Jam. 5:17)
He understood why his productivity mattered, but much more his presence.
AT THE BACKSIDE of the desert, Moses saw the bush burn without being consumed.
He knew this was extraordinary. So, he moved near to see.
And when he stepped aside, God knew he was interested. So, he called out to him: Moses, do not come near. Take off your shoes. Where you stand is holy ground. (Exod. 3:5)
The unseen God made an entrance into the physical. God needed his attention, and he got it. He wanted Moses to himself.
The Lord's eyes scan the whole world to find those whose hearts are committed to him and to strengthen them. (2 Chron. 16:9)
God wants you!
All these people had one thing in common—they knew God.
AS WE CELEBRATE the most wonderful time of the year, it will only be complete when you have a relationship with the person of the season.
He knew we couldn't go up. So, he came down to earth. Now we can go up.
He (Jesus) who knew no sin became sin that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. (2 Cor. 5:21)
All you have to do is confess your sins to Him and ask for forgiveness. Then ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart and be your Lord and Saviour.
If you've done this, you are now a believer in Christ. Look for a Bible-believing church near you, and go there.
God bless you.