God Finding You In The Moment

Not long ago I wrote about finding God in the moment, becoming aware of His activity in our daily lives and work in cooperation with Him.

In a series we’re doing at Open Arms Community Church called “Growing Closer To God” we’ve been discussing different factors involved in us really going deeper with God and growing up into the greater things God has for us.

We just covered the topic of “Serving/Giving” and in particular “Sacrificial Serving/Giving”, and it caused me to question… What about God finding us in the moment?

I wonder… with all the busyness, agendas, plans, hustle, and chaos in our lives are we available to God?

In any given moment can God interrupt us and use us or just share with us?

So often we’re concerned about finding God in the moment, but the real question is can God find us in the moment?

The greatest obstacle in experiencing God and God’s best in my life is not the Devil, it’s not someone else, it’s not work; it is me (self). I’m the one who busies myself. I’m the one who takes on all the extra stuff. I’m the one who sets the agenda. I’m the one who chooses what to do or not do. I’m the one who decides what I will pursue and chase after.

All to often we’re concerned about whether God will show up and move, but what we really need to be concerned about is whether we’re available to God.

It’s not an easy focus to keep. With all the cares of this life (the pursuit of pleasure, the deceitfulness of wealth, etc; Matthew 13), chaos, distractions, and so on it’s easy to become disoriented and out of touch with God.

There are simple disciplines and attitudes that help us “stay available” to God. Daily Prayer, daily Bible reading, and the constant asking of the question, “God what do you want to do here (in me and through me)?”.

When it comes to the topic of Serving/Giving we’ve got to be in touch with God so as not to miss those opportunities God gives us to shine the light of His love and truth.

When it come to giving/serving “sacrificially” we really have to be in touch with God so as not to give in to selfishness, fear/doubt, or worldly wisdom and resist God and what He wants to do in and through us. Only by the presence and power of God do we have a chance of overcoming the Old Self and the Ways of This World.

One more thing… Should God find us in the moment, what would He find us doing? Are we about the Fathers business or other business? Are we living in such a way that would please and honor Him, or the opposite? Would we be in a position to be used of the Lord?

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/949683/god_finding_you_in_the_moment.html

LEFTOVERS

I don’t know about you, but if I walked into a restaurant and ordered a meal and it came out cold and soggy I’d be a bit miffed. Let me add, I’d feel a little weird if someone invited me over to his or her house for dinner, without forewarning, and it was cold soggy leftovers. I may or may not have passed.

Does this turn your stomach? Let me give another picture…

Imagine a pro athlete on Game Day going out to the beach, swimming, maybe going to a mall shopping, going out to dinner, and heck, let’s mow the lawn too, then he goes into the arena, suits up, and runs onto the field to play the game.

How good of a game do you think he’ll have? What benefit will he be to the team? What is he really offering to his boss and teammates? (The answer is leftovers or not much of anything)

We do this often with God… but he deserves our best. Our best time, best talents, best energy, best character, best thought, best you name it.

So often we claim Jesus is number one in our life, but in all honesty we are hypocrites.

A hypocrite is literally a person who wears a mask, a person who pretends or acts, a fake, someone whose claims and lifestyle do not match or line up.

While we claim Jesus is Lord (the master, boss, supreme authority) of our life we don’t live like it… we still run our life (acting and reacting) the way we want to or feel like in any given circumstance.

While we claim Jesus is number one (first place) in our life we don’t live like it… If we can’t fit Bible reading, prayer, church, serving in ministry, or just plain acting like a Christian by serving someone in need into our busy schedule then we just cut one or all of these things out because we can’t cut out those extra hours of work, or hobbies, or movies, or TV, or household chores, and so on.

In a very real way, when it comes to our lives, for most of us God is just getting our leftovers, the cold soggy parts of our lives; Certainly a lot less than our best.

I challenge you to examine whether God’s getting your best or your leftovers. Ask the tough question: Am I a hypocrite? And then respond accordingly.

We don’t ask these questions just to gain information. The point of learning is always transformation through application. In other words, if we’re not acting like a Jesus is really number one in our life, then let’s admit it, and change! Start living with Him as number one, doing things his way getting His results!