What God Wants from You
Sometimes we avoid God because we don’t fully understand His nature. When we understand more fully who God is, it can change the way we approach God. Check out Paul’s short video to discover that it’s not about what we have to give, but about what God wants to give to you.
Many people today are reluctant to approach God or respond to Him because they believe God only wants something from them; their time, their fun, their lifestyle, their habits, their money. I think this idea comes from not understanding the nature of God and who He is. It's so necessary to understand who God is, because it's the basis of Christianity upon which everything else is built. If the foundation is faulty, then everything that's built on that foundation is, at best, going to be distorted. The one specific part of God's nature that I want to convey to you today is that God's very nature is that of a Giver.
Our God is a giving God.
A few years back, I remember thinking I had to give to God and I heard Him asking me, “Paul, what could you possibly have that you think I need? Do you think I need you to give up your time, your talents, your good looks? Your $50 in the offering plate every Sunday?” Well, I started to ponder that question and soon realized there was not one thing I had that God, the Creator of the universe, needed. That was very humbling, and very true.
“And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” Acts 17:25 (NIV)
I discovered that God is much less interested in me giving Him anything, and much more interested in Him giving Himself to me. When we trust God, He gives us His peace, and not just when things are going well. It's easy to be peaceful when things are going well. But when your spouse takes the kids and walks out on you, or perhaps you're diagnosed with cancer, you need peace, my friend.
How about some patience? When that promotion isn't happening at work and your expenses are starting to overtake your income, you need some patience. You see, God's very character is: peace, patience, love, and much, much more. And He wants to give His very character to you through His Son Jesus Christ. Let me tell you, the only thing God desires from you is your faith and trust in Him. After that, it's all about what God wants to give to you.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
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