The measure of your life.

I read Luke 12:15 in part of my Bible studies this morning.  Jesus says this, "Beware! Guard against every kind of greed.  Life is not measured by how much you own."  I felt glad for a moment that my life's true measure isn't made by the things I own otherwise I wouldn't measure up to much.  But it really got me to thinking.  How would I measure my life?  What is the measuring stick that I would use to measure against?

I think for those that call themselves Christians that this would be the point we through out all those religious cliches so that everyone thinks we are worthy of the title "Christian".  We would say we use Jesus life as our example or maybe God's Word and how well our life lines up with it.  While all those answers are good answers I would question just how well we actually live up to those answers we give.  I can't speak for everyone else, but I will speak for myself.  I know at times I don't look or act as much like Jesus as I should.  At times I get too caught up in my work and the things I want that I miss out on opportunities to reach out to those in need.  I seek after too many things that really aren't that important in the eternal view of things.  Really Jesus tells us how to make sure our life measures up the way He wants it to.  Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 "Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."  Make God the #1 priority in your life and seek to live a life that honors God and I promise your life will measure up to exactly what God destined you to be!

If you were to honestly evaluate your life today, how would your relationship with God measure up?  Is God truly the #1 in your life like you say He is?  Or is work, a career, material possessions, or hobbies really #1 and God falls out somewhere below?  Look at your life and see where you invest your time and money and if God doesn't rank high enough than maybe it's time to do some remeasuring.

Lord, help me to make the measure of my life be found solely in you.  I can pursue so many things, even things that would qualify as important.  May I make living for You, loving You, and pleasing You my measuring stick for my life.

In pursuit of what?

I was on my way to the office today and I was listening to a podcast by National Community Church.  One line of the message really stuck out to me.  The speaker said sometimes we spend more time in pursuit of the promises of God instead of the person of God.  I thought for a moment, and realized just how true that statement really is.  We want God for all the blessings and promises He has to offer us, but do we really pursue God Himself in our life?

I have been wrestling in prayer with God over some things in my life.  I have been reminding myself of all God's promises and how true and great they really are.  Today, the Spirit put Jeremiah 29:11 on my heart, and as I read that verse, I couldn't help but be encouraged.  But at the same time I felt convicted as I read on past verse 11.  Verses 12-14 promises us God wants to be found and that He can be found.  The catch is those that find Him are those who are seeking HIM WHOLEHEARTEDLY.  I realized at times I have been seeking more of God's promises than I really have been seeking Him.  I think we will live in God's promise of a bright future and hope when we pursue Him with all we have instead of just His blessings.  As someone else has put it, I think too often we seek the hand of God instead of the face of God.  We seek what He can give us instead of what we can offer Him.  The question is what are you pursuing?  Is it just the blessing of God?  Is it your own personal self-interests?  Or, is it God and His personal agenda for your life?  When you connect with God and find His heart for your life than you will find the promise of a great hope and future!