God's Message Today
1 John 4:8
"He who does not love has not become acquainted with God, for God is love."
Is life all about you?
I had a very dear friend who spent most of his life unhappy and dissatisfied. He wasted quite a bit of time thinking about his own unhappiness. He had a tendency to blame others for issues that were happening to him. He constantly moaned, "If I had more money, I'd be happier. If people would reach out to me a little more I would feel better. If my aches and pains weren't so bad, I'd feel much better." These filled his mind constantly. The list that caused his pain seemed endless and no matter what I said nothing seemed to sink in.
As he grew in a personal relationship with God, he literally became desperate for peace, stability, true happiness, and joy. That kind of hunger for change usually requires facing some heart-felt truths. And God will give that to us when we do. As he began seeking God for the root cause of his unhappiness, he was shown that he was actually self-centered. His focus on what others could and should do for him, rather than what he could or should do for others became apparent. That was not an easy thing for him to accept, but it was the beginning of a life-altering experience with God.
God helped him to see himself as a person who could give and help. He had to change his thinking from, "What about me?" to "What can I do for you?" It was not the easiest change to make because it took a bit of time since family and friends were used to laying things at his feet when he became upset.
Everything God does is for our good; all of his commands are intended to help us have the best lives. He command us to love and be kind which takes the focus off ourselves, silencing the voice that asks, "What about me?" and instead learn to follow Jesus' example of being kind, generous, and loving towards others.
This Week's Meditation:
Teach me to "not worry about my own needs."
Pray:
Help me to meditate each day: "What can I do for others?"
Teach me to be patient and know you will mentor me. Remind me that prayer motivates me.
Meditate on this for several minutes a day. Allow various thoughts to come into your mind. And realize God has you in his arms always.
1 John 4:8
"He who does not love has not become acquainted with God, for God is love."
Is life all about you?
I had a very dear friend who spent most of his life unhappy and dissatisfied. He wasted quite a bit of time thinking about his own unhappiness. He had a tendency to blame others for issues that were happening to him. He constantly moaned, "If I had more money, I'd be happier. If people would reach out to me a little more I would feel better. If my aches and pains weren't so bad, I'd feel much better." These filled his mind constantly. The list that caused his pain seemed endless and no matter what I said nothing seemed to sink in.
As he grew in a personal relationship with God, he literally became desperate for peace, stability, true happiness, and joy. That kind of hunger for change usually requires facing some heart-felt truths. And God will give that to us when we do. As he began seeking God for the root cause of his unhappiness, he was shown that he was actually self-centered. His focus on what others could and should do for him, rather than what he could or should do for others became apparent. That was not an easy thing for him to accept, but it was the beginning of a life-altering experience with God.
God helped him to see himself as a person who could give and help. He had to change his thinking from, "What about me?" to "What can I do for you?" It was not the easiest change to make because it took a bit of time since family and friends were used to laying things at his feet when he became upset.
Everything God does is for our good; all of his commands are intended to help us have the best lives. He command us to love and be kind which takes the focus off ourselves, silencing the voice that asks, "What about me?" and instead learn to follow Jesus' example of being kind, generous, and loving towards others.
This Week's Meditation:
Teach me to "not worry about my own needs."
Pray:
Help me to meditate each day: "What can I do for others?"
Teach me to be patient and know you will mentor me. Remind me that prayer motivates me.
Meditate on this for several minutes a day. Allow various thoughts to come into your mind. And realize God has you in his arms always.
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