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Co-Parenting With Christ: "For the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you" ~ Deuteronomy 31:5-7

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Uplifting, inspiring, and encouraging single mothers to embrace and enjoy the journey of single parenthood.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Open Your Heart So God Can Fill It

“Open your hearts to them. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all of your work. He will bless you in everything you do.” ~ Deuteronomy 15:10 (NIRV)

This scripture is often used as a reference for “giving”. It helps to illustrate God’s desire for us to tithe and serve others. It is also a great reference for how we think about relationships, because relationships are fundamentally about giving; giving and receiving. But in order to receive God’s best for you where relationships are concerned, you have to be willing to give your best to God. I once read something very profound, "Rather than placing yourself at the center of your relationships, all your energies and assets should be tools for worshipping him".

So how do we give our best to God? We take ourselves out of it. As a believer, nothing that we do can be about us. Everything we do must be done to honor God and the Kingdom in which we serve. We must die to self and live for God.

“He must become more important. I must become less important.” ~ John 3:30 (NIRV)

Jesus said to his disciples, “Those who want to come with me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses and follow me.” ~ Matthew 16:24 (GW)

What about our preferences? You ask. When we choose who we will “give” our time and energy to, based on our preferences, we give advantages to some over others. Here is what the Word of God says about preferences:

“Playing favorites is always a bad thing; you can do great harm in seemingly harmless ways.” ~ Proverbs 28:21 (MSG)




"God is not one to show partiality." ~ Acts 10:34 - 35 (NASB)



"God plays no favorites!" ~ Acts 10:34 - 35 (MSG)

"Whatever you did for them, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for Me." ~ Matthew 25:40 (GW)

So if not based on preference, how then do we choose? We make wise decisions by applying what we know the Word of God says.

“With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment.” ~ Proverbs 3:5
(CEV)

Something supernatural happens when we trust and delight in (give satisfaction to) Him.

“Find your delight in the Lord. Then he will give you everything your heart really wants.” ~ Psalm 37:4 (NIRV)

There are two key words in the above scripture; “delight” and “really”. To delight in the Lord means to be obedient to the Word of God and the word really translates to, “authentic” or “genuine”. God will give us everything our heart authentically and genuinely wants deeply at its core, not our shallow superficial desires that merely rest on the surface of our hearts; without penetration, substance, or true significance.
As we go through the process of dying to self, and learn who we really are and what God intended for our lives we come to know what God desires for us and those desires becomes our own.

“Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 (GW)
Simply stated, when you know better, you do better, and you choose better. Know God, love God, love yourself! Give of yourself with the heart of God and receive His very best as he fills your heart with REAL love. Get out of your own way. Stop blocking God's blessings for your life.

Remember you are not alone.

Embrace and enjoy the journey...

God Bless!

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