WHAT HAVE YOU GIVEN TO GOD THE FATHER LATELY ?
4/19/2020
When we look at God and our relationship with Him, at times it can feel very one sided. We spend a lot of time asking God for things. Please help us in these circumstances. Please provide us these needs. We also spend a lot of time trying to figure out why God does certain things, or why God lets certain things happen. There are times when we study deeply the Word of God, and we wrestle with our mind to gain understanding. But how often do we really think about what God needs from us ? After all, He is God. He is our Creator and He is omnipotent. He is everywhere, and He knows everything, every thought, every moment in our lives. What could He possibly need from me ? I have given Him my life when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.. I have given Him my trust and faith….but what about my time ? What about my everyday experiences and my joyful moments ? My Dad was an incredible Dad. He passed away at 92 years old, 5 years ago, and I miss him so very much. I spent a lot of time with my dad and mom…I was so lucky. I loved being with them, and I can’t wait to see them again some day when the Lord returns. In those 2 years when my dad was alone after my mom’s passing, we had that moment, Dad to Son, when I asked him, “ is there anything in your life that you wish had been different, or you could have done differently ?” What he said really struck me deeply. “ I wish that your mom and I would have been able to spend more time with you.” “Once you graduated from college and started working, we realized how much we missed just being with you. Just hanging out, talking or not, but feeling your presence in our lives.” “Someday you will understand when your kids are grown".” “You can never get enough time with the people and family and friends that you love.” Time. My dad so loved it. So, it has dawned on me that God is my Heavenly Father. Would it not make sense that He has many of the same needs my dad had, and I do ? I am made in His image. I am subject to emotional needs…isn’t He also ? The truth is that the thing God values the most with us is a Personal Relationship ! He wants our time, our dreams, our hopes, our moments of Joy and Thanks in real time. He wants us to minister to Him through our life experiences, and who He has made us to be.
WHILE THEY WERE MINISTERING TO THE LORD AND FASTING, THE HOLY SPIRIT SAID, “SET APART FOR ME BARNABAS AND SAUL FOR THE WORK TO WHICH I HAVE CALLED THEM. Acts 13:2
WHEN HE WAS IN GALILEE, THEY USED TO FOLLOW HIM AND MINISTER TO HIM; AND THERE WERE MANY OTHER WOMEN WHO CAME UP WITH HIM TO JERUSALEM. Mark 15:41
NOW THE BOY SAMUEL WAS MINISTERING TO THE LORD BEFORE ELI. AND WORD FROM THE LORD WAS RARE IN THOSE DAYS, VISIONS WERE INFREQUENT. Samuel 3:1
We spend so much of our time seeking things and answers from God, and for believers that is a great thing ! i had to ask myself how much time I am spending ministering to God. I do it, but I can feel in my heart that I need to do it more often, and I need to be more intentional in it. I need to find a quiet place, get focused, and truly minister to my Father. Being with Him, sharing my life and my joys. Giving Him thanks for all He has given me, especially the small moments that truly make my life complete. Standing at the top of Tennessee Pass on a Ski Cooper blue run with Julie, and looking out in awe at the majestic peaks God created. Standing on the bow of a flats boat in Belize, mesmerized how the light had just turned a white sand bottom into a blue winding road in a field of turtle grass that was now pure gold. His ocean, His Light, His Creation. The birth of my kids, the moments of watching them grow up….building snowmen and igloos….graduating from High School and College. I need to praise Him more and let Him know how much His forgiveness and love for me means to me. Just like my earthly dad, i need to give Him more time and love. I need to show Him and tell Him how much I value our relationship, and most of all, spend time just being with Him !
WORSHIP THE LORD WITH REVERENCE AND REJOICE WITH TREMBLING. Psalm 2:11
OF WHICH I WAS MADE A MINISTER, ACCORDING TO THE GIFT OF GOD’S GRACE WHICH WAS GIVEN TO ME ACCORDING TO THE WORKING OF HIS POWER. Ephesians 3:7
IF ANYONE SERVES ME, HE MUST FOLLOW ME, AND WHERE I AM, THERE MY SERVANT WILL BE ALSO; IF ANYONE SERVES ME, THE FATHER WILL HONOR HIM John 12:26
Worshipping and Honoring God is all about Reconciliation of relationship with Him through the gift of His Son, Jesus. Once you have received the gift, God wants all of you ! Give Him your time. Share your joy and thanks with him. Be still and just hang out with Him. In your heart, minister to His needs of relationship and feeling your praise and love for Him. God has given us so so much….that one extra moment with you means everything to Him as your Father ! Time is everything :) Be Still and know God/JAA
FOR THIS REASON, THEY ARE BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD, AND THEY SERVE HIM DAY AND NIGHT IN HIS TEMPLE, AND HE WHO SITS ON THE THRONE WILL SPREAD HIS TABERNACLE OVER THEM. Revelation 7:15