Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
(Philippians 2:3-4 TNIV)
When we do things to satisfy our own wants and turn a blind eye to the needs of others we remove ourselves from God’s blessings, even more so we are at odds with the very heart of God! Matthew 25 Jesus tells us about the King (God) separating the people like a shepherd would separate sheep from goats on judgment day. Speaking first to the sheep the King surprised them when He said, “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Then speaking to the goats He surprised them as well when He said, “whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”
Selfishness can be seen in everything we do, oh we disguise it with the pretense of helping others, so much so sometimes we even believe the lie and walk away feeling good about what we’ve done but regardless of what we believe it will not change our motivation. It is our motivation locked away deep down that continues to push us towards selfish actions. No selfishness does not tuck its tail and run so easily but must be pried out as we set our faces northward and our eyes trained on Jesus Christ, in whom all hope is turned to trust as we watch Him change our hearts to be like His own as we, with discipline, obey His Word. Christ gave His life, even unto death, while we still hated Him so that we might live and now Christ Jesus is exalted at the right hand of our Heavenly Father. He is a trail blazer and we, like Him, are to give away that which we have been given. Why then do we struggle with hoarding stuff? I’m not pointing fingers, for I have many possessions myself. No, my intent is to wake up the spirit that sleeps inside of us. Not to be perfect but to do my best and allow God to fill in the holes.
Discipline can be difficult to wrap your mind around for it is not I that touches the broken and down cast but God; however if I don’t get up every morning and plan to bless someone it won’t get done. You can say you are waiting for God but the truth is He is waiting for you, for He has already provided. He has provided the means for you to choose to be a blessing but you must take the first step, in faith! I’m learning things don’t always just fall in place – if I want to be healthy I must get up early and exercise and then again before going to bed. I must eat right, not just once or twice each day but every time I put food in my mouth. If I want to be closer to God I must make time to read His Word and pray. If I want to be the person God purposed for me to be I must make an effort to learn how to do that, again not just once or twice a day but 24/7/365.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 tells us to never tire of doing what is good. If we truly are soldiers in the Lord’s army then we must understand what a soldier does. For discipline will either make or break them. The disciplined soldier does not count on circumstances turning out in his/her favor but follows the leading of the commander and depends on the training received to help them decide what to do when things get tough. Always press forward in doing what is right, even when you don’t feel like it. Though the opposition seems impassable the Lord will make the way but you are the one who puts one boot in front of the other. A good place to start is being in unity with your brothers and sisters and giving of yourself. Do this and see if God doesn’t reveal Himself to you but keep your heart sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit, go where He leads, step out of your comfort zone, which shows God you trust Him.
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
(Malachi 3:10 TNIV)
The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
(Psalms 29:4 TNIV)
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
(Psalms 29:11 TNIV)
