What's in it for God?

John Maxwell writes about how to check our motives in pursuing unselfish thinking. He described what Benjamin Franklin does in order to do this. According Maxwell, everyday Franklin asks himself two questions, "What good am I going to do today?" And before sleeping, he'd ask, "What good have I done today?

In a world where most people are motivated by thinking "What's in it for me?", we can go against the norm by thinking "What's in it for God?" For God wants us to serve Him by helping others.

In Mark Chapter 3:10, Jesus cures the sick despite being in discomfort.

"He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him."

Some things to ponder:

When we do good, do we expect recognition or a pat on the back?

When we help, is God glorified?

Lord, purify our motives. Grant us the grace to be unselfish. May the love that you fill in our hearts overflow into generous service for others.
 

Thrilled with Anticipation

Our doctor said, "The baby can already come out anytime."  So, I'm always on call and ready.   We have on stand-by; the baby bag, our clothes, video and camera, and other important things related to our 3rd baby's birthday.  I'm thrilled with anticipation.  The days seem to come by very slowly as I wait and wait for his coming.

I remember what was written in Matthew 3: 1-3: In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea (and) saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: "A voice of one crying out in the desert, 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'"

Are we prepared for the Lord's coming? Are our hearts ready to be His dwelling place? Are we ready to serve Him on call?

In our day to day lives, let us be thrilled with anticipation. Today, the Lord desires to dwell in our hearts.  In the same manner of how we prepare our homes for a newborn, we strive to make the home of our hearts clean and suitable.

And when the Lord calls us, we cannot pass up the opportunity and say, "I'm not yet ready Lord."  We might just miss out the very best thing that can happen to our lives.  "On call," should be our posture.  We prepare our hearts to be ready to respond to His coming and to His prompting.  We look on to God's will for our lives with thrill and excitement.