ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

WHAT DOES GOD WANT MOST FROM ME?  Some years it seems like God gives me a theme that I find myself seeking Him for more than anything else.  Last year, the word I kept hearing in my spirit was:  relationships.  Did God change every person that I prayed about?  That I don’t know for sure.  I can only say I saw a defined change in many of my relationships that I longed for more closeness in.  But I have a feeling that God changed me in the process, and most likely when I changed and found new freedom in giving the relationship fully over to Him … the other person probably found it easier to relate to me in the more intimate way that I had longed for!  All I know is that I was amazed and astounded!  Should I have been?  Not really … as I had enlisted the help of the One who longs to give us the desires of our hearts!  His Word even says so!  And just so you know, I did as much praying for myself, as I did for the other person/s.  I love how God turns things around and how very evident His work in us is!

But that was more about what I wanted from God, I’d have to admit.  THIS year, as I seek the face of God, I keep hearing over and over in the depths of my soul that God wants something from ME!  And of all the things He could want, what I am beginning to understand more fully is that HE JUST WANTS ME TO WANT HIM!  Pure and simple!  And yes, as I have sensed God telling me this, I am also hearing others say the same thing!  God could be asking for so many other things, like:  My child, I want your love and devotion.  Your heart and soul.  Your time and your talents.  Your money and your possessions.  Your ideas and your dreams.  Your will and your focus.  But you know what He is saying?  He is telling me that He just wants me to want HIM! 

So God, just how do you want me to live that out?  When I ask Him – He lets me know.  That is, when I really and truly want to know “how”!  And this year, I am telling Him that I honestly want to know!!  He is quick to show up … and He is not the least bit shy about telling me that He wants me to literally WANT to put Him first in everything I say and in everything I do!  Yes, everything, He emphasizes!!!  No more falling prey to the pressured, deadline things that demand my attention first, but instead … sitting at the feet of Jesus first!  Every single time!  Will that be difficult ... will that demand a sacrifice on my part?  Will that cause me to lose a little extra sleep in the mornings … and will I WANT HIM so very much – that any present battles over my flesh will be crucified and I will leap from my list of demands or foolish waste of precious moments – and into the arms of my Jesus … because I WANT HIM?  Want Him more than anything else?  More than His gifts?  More than His protection?  More than His provision?  Will I just WANT HIM?  Will I be so in tune with His Spirit that I will open up my mouth to total strangers and let His Words come out?  Will I daily and moment-by-moment make wise, righteous choices that mark my days with His signature love that continues forward when mine lags behind?  Will I do these things and much more?  The thing is this:  no matter how much we think we HAVE to do to prove to Him that we really WANT HIM more than anything else in our lives, will cause us to come up short and make us feel like we’ve failed Him!  But, when we just simply and purely WANT OUR LORD & SAVIOR, all of the marks that define a yielded child of God will show forth as reality in our lives!  All of the fruit that we are to live out will grow and mature as a result of just wanting Him!  Yes!

Will we fail?  Will we think of giving up?  Settling for less of Him and more of us?  No, a thousand times NO!  We must want more than ever to follow HARD after our God and to have an UNDIVIDED HEART before Him!  When we SEE Him … He will be seen through us!  When we FOLLOW Him … He will go before us!  When we PURSUE Him … He lets us catch Him!  When things get tough and we HIDE OURSELVES in Him … He smooths our way and we find ourselves in Him!  Come to think of it, this is the ultimate relationship we could ever want!  So what are we waiting for?  If our walk with God is to survive in this present and evil world, then the only logical conclusion tied to our faith in God … is that we must understand that He only wants us to want HIM!  Living our life just wanting God will cause the doors of His Kingdom to fling open in ways we’ve only before dreamed of!  Our connection to others will flow naturally and we will find ourselves being used for God’s glory in ways beyond our wildest imaginations!  Even so, Lord Jesus, I want YOU!  YOU.  YOU!  Always and only YOU!  For Your honor and glory! 

 REMEMBER . . .

“My whole being follows hard after You and clings closely to You; Your right hand upholds me.” 
~ Psalm 63:8

“ … direct and unite my heart (solely, reverently) to fear and honor Your Name.” 
~ Psalm 86:11  

Joyfully Serving Christ . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie