ARE YOU SEEKING THE BLESSNG OR THE ONE WHO GIVES THE BLSSING?

 We have a "what's in it for me " generation.  Self is sitting on the throne.  We want God's blessings,  but we have no time to spend in the presence of the Lord.

Everyone is so busy these days, striving for something that is out of their reach.

Matthew 6:33-34 (Jesus teaching on food and clothes.)

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.  Sufficient  for the day is its own trouble.

Jesus mentions time and again about us resting.

Let Jesus carry your burdens.  He said He will provide, so let Him!

Running ahead of God causes everything to be delayed.  Wait, pray, listen to the Lord, and fill up with His word.  Then you will find peace and rest and direction for your day.

So many are seeking the blessings of God, without giving the one who blesses the time of day.

Some say a quick prayer and feel like they have done their duty for the day.

Beloved, that will not do!!  

Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.

James 4:7

Therefore submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 

It doesn't say fight the devil, it says resist him. 

He gets too much attention and thought.

Remember the story of Mary and Martha?

Mary sat at Jesus feet and listened to His teachings, while Martha was busy preparing meals.  Her duty came first.  Whereas Mary chose the best thing by receiving from Jesus.

Luke 10:38-42

Now it happened as they went that they entered a certain village;  and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary,  who also sat at Jesus feet and heard His word.

But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said "Lord do you not care that my sister left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me.  And Jesus answered her,  "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.

"But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part,  which will not be taken away from her.

Beloved, if we would just take some quiet time and spend it with Jesus, our day would go much better.

Yes, there are chores to be done, but they can wait until you talk to the Lord Jesus.  He loves you so much and would like to have some of your quality time first thing in the morning.

What is quality time?  That is when you shut off everything that distracts you, and put your mind and heart on Jesus. Turn off TV, put your phone down, shut off all media. and get alone with the Lord.

Beloved, what if our power grid went out? There would be no phone, TV or media to pollute our mind, or take our time. We certainly would call out to the Lord and listen to Him, wouldn't we?

Why not spend time listening to Him now.  Worship Him and sing to Him.

There is a song we use to sing in church from Psalm 5:1-3

Give ear to my words, O Lord,  Consider my meditation.  Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, for to You will I pray,  My voice shall You hear in the morning.  In the morning I will direct it to You and will look up.

This Psalm is so appropriate for this lesson.

We have a new day, yesterday is gone, everything is new.  Walk in the newness of the day.

Experience the presence of the Lord.  We hear so often people say,  "The Lord has my back" They mean that He will protect them.

Beloved we are surrounded by ministering's angels, they have our back.  

We are yoked together with Jesus.  Walking side by side.  He bears the heaviness of the yoke, we walk with Him because he is the leader and knows our destination.  

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

"For my yoke is easy and My burden is light."

We are to cast all our care on Him.  He took on Himself, death, sin, and disease.

God's blessings are ours because of Jesus.

But first spend time with Jesus and share your heart, unload all you concerns, He knows them all already but wants to have that conversation with you.

No more excuses of why you don't have extra time for prayer and fellowship with the Lord.

An excuse is nothing more than a dressed up lie.

Do we repent and ask forgiveness for making excuses?  we need to.

I love how the Holy Spirit teaches us, and trains us by the grace of God so we will recognize when we are leaving ourselves open for trouble.

I remember the day the Holy Spirit made that so real to me.  A friend wanted me to go shopping with her and I made an excuse not to go.  

I heard the Lord in my spirit say an excuse is a dressed up lie.  Wow! did that open my eyes.  

We step right into sin by our selfish choices.  Who knows, I may have missed a blessing.

Instead of making excuses, just say I am not up to that today.  Be honest, and you will be blessed with Gods great peace. Jesus is truth.  Truth prevails!

Romans 8:5-6

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh,  but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

For to be carnally minded is death,  but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Beloved, Talk to Jesus during your day, let Him know you love Him and are including Him in all you do.  

That is worshipping the Lord. Living for Jesus is the best worship there is.

The closer you are to Jesus, the more you will be like Him. The more time you spend with Him, the more you will walk in peace.

God bless your day

Jesus loves you

Love in Jesus

Joy