What God Really Wants

That was the question today in church.  It’s amazing to me, if you look for it, how God speaks to people.  Often He will bring the same scripture, topic, or message via different avenues.  This week the same message popped up everywhere; my regular Bible study, a random book, the radio, the same television minister I watch every morning, FaceBook, and now at church.  That is when I know, God is speaking.

For the longest time in my walk with God, I prayed for what I wanted, my needs, and my ideas.  I thought I was smart enough to plan my future, my kid’s future, my husband’s future, all my relatives’ and friend’s futures as well.  I recently told my oldest son,

So, what does God really want?  I mean after all, He owns everything and doesn’t need anything, (just think about all the bargains we try to make with him).  He doesn’t need anything from us.

The thing God wants is a relationship.  He created us to want the same.  We often forget that until tragedy strikes.  Why not invest in a relationship with God before a crisis in arises in your life?

Some of you have experienced the fair weather friend.  It hurts when you thought you could count on that special person only to realize hey were in the relationship for what you could do for them.  Don’t do that to God.  Seek Him for who He is, not what He can do for you.  Friendship is a two way street, give and take, sacrifice, devotion, loyalty, and trust.  When you are in a relationship with God, you can trust Him because you’ve already put in the time to know who He is.

According to Pastor McNair of First Baptist Church of Gulf Shores, here are a few ways to begin that relationship with God.

1. SUBSTITUTES – What or Who tops your list, takes most of your time, energy, effort, money?
2. PRIDE – Are you faithful or fearful, do you want to please people or God?
3. HEDONISM – Are your goals all about you, your happiness, your pleasure, you, you, you?
4. INSINCERITY – Are you a “warm body but absent mind” kind-of person, or are you giving it all you’ve got?
5. TRADITION – You have no idea why you go to church, pray, or participate in rituals other than, it’s what is expected by family or friends.

For further reading on the subject:

Psalm 50:8-15

Romans 1:21-23

John 12:42-43

Hebrews 13:15

James 4:8

Matthew 15:3-9