Evaluate your motives, heart, mind, and the things you seek after. Are they pure and holy? For what reason do you seek them? Are you seeking to profit yourself or others? More importantly, will what you are doing honor and glorify the Lord? Test yourself daily to see whether your motives are honorable in God’s sight.
For the servant of the Lord, every thought, action, and intention of the heart should focus on fulfilling the will of the Lord in your life. We are not here for our own selfish desires, no. Though frequently, it is difficult to determine which way to go. But God will lead and guide us if we put ourselves into His hands. Seek to honor God, and He promises to protect and reward you someday. Seek to please yourself, and that will be your only reward.
Jesus said, “Thus when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.” Matthew 6:2
Even if you feel alone, God has not left you alone. Jesus said He will send the Holy Spirit to be with you, to guide you on your way. He will show you how, day by day, to make your path straight and work for the Kingdom of God. Then, you will be equipped to work for what has eternal value.
In many ways, you may seek a new job, an improved relationship, a good home, better health, prosperity in many ways, or to have a good day. But to feed on God’s Word, Jesus, and His Spirit will profit you much more. Nothing is wrong with those other things as long as you put the Lord first.
But following God’s direction in everything you do is paramount. Start each day by dedicating yourself to the will of the Father. Do good to others and let it be done for the Lord and His good, will, and glory. Remember, whatever you do for yourself will one day be burned up because it was worthless in God’s sight.
Keep this perspective in mind. I pray that you will see the difference between what is done for God and what is not. Make a clear decision today to seek to follow and obey His commands, His precepts, His will for your life, and His Word. It will not be easy, but Jesus is your foundation, and He will establish you and keep you on His good path. It is for eternity that you work and not for the things of this world.
Remember what Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
So, what are you going to do? Seek to do God’s will early, often, and always. I pray that you will desire to be least among men, to serve others and the Lord in all you may do. Through your hard work for the Father, one day, Jesus will exalt you and call you the greatest in the Kingdom of God if you are willing to humble yourself to be the least on this earth. It is a difficult mission, but the rewards are well worth it.
You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that He has made to dwell in us”?
But He gives more grace. Therefore, it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves, therefore, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. James 4:3-10
The Soul Sower 