Day 22......Sanctification......becoming like Christ

So much of what we hear and learn these days is self centered "me-isms". You know.......the whole, "it's all about me!" "What do I get out of it?" I think we are all learning in this study, especially today, that it isn't about our comfort, or even really what we want. It's all about fulfilling God's will for our lives. Worship God when the bills are paid, and when they're not. Worship Him when you feel His presence, and when you don't. Worship Him whether you get your way or not. I've noticed more and more that (even though I believe God wants to prosper His children) so much of what's being taught about giving money is all about receiving money. Give if you want to get is the common message. Jesus did tell us to give.......God gave His only begotten Son to be crucified for us. But folks are building bigger and prettier churches, nicer sound systems, and traveling. But no one is concerned about the homeless guy on the street, or the bag lady you meet at Circle K (or 7-11). It's not that I think we all should be walking around in potato sacks living under a tree somewhere. But we shouldn't expect that God will fulfill our every whim and desire. It's true that we can begin to think of God as a cash cow, or a genie in a bottle. He's not obligated to pay you for anything. He owns everything, and in being co-heirs with Christ, we do too. That doesn't mean we need it all right now. If being broke will keep me humble, then I want to be broke. If having some money, but not a lot won't take me away from walking with Christ, then so be it. But if having a WHOLE lot of money will cause me to stray from following Christ.....living for Him, and later with Him.........then I don't want it. Sure it's easy to say. Hehehehehe. I mean who hasn't thought of having a lot of money, and what you would do with it. Some folks take advantage of folks by promising pie the sky.......right now. There are friends in the ministry I wish I could support with LOTS of money. One guy I'd like to buy a new van for.......his heart is to distribute food and clothing to the poor in Mexico. Others who travel monthly down there.....I'd like to be able to give them $10,000 a month in order to do that. I'd like to be able to go and minister and sing all over the US, and maybe even the world. All of that takes money. I've been invited to go sing in Kentucky, now I need to raise the money to get there. Money, money, money. It's not evil in and of itself. It's only the love of it, that causes trouble. Lord willing, one day, I'll be able to do all those things I'd like to do. But if not, I'm still going to love and serve Him. I've lived on the streets, I know what it's like. It's not fun. At the time I had a job too. I just didn't make enough to rent an apartment somewhere. But I saved my money, and when I could I did. Then I was back on the streets for a while after that. That's a long story. But no matter what happens, God is first. He doesn't owe me, I owe Him. I owe Him my love, my life, and my loyalty. And He has all of those. If He wants all my money (not that I'm rolling in it) then He can have that too.

"In what area of my life do I need to ask for the Spirit's power to be like Christ today?"

Being more patient in traffic. And I need to learn to accept life's ups and downs, mountains and valleys. Man that's hard!