It is wise and godly to periodically take time to evaluate your heart and motives. The beginning of the year is as good as any to clarify your mind.
For if we searchingly examined ourselves [detecting our shortcomings and recognizing our own condition], we should not be judged and penalty decreed [by the divine judgment]. 1 Corinthians 11:31 AMPC
Here are some questions to ask yourself like I do:
What is your focus?
What do you want?
Why do you want it?
For what? Why do you want it for that?
Who is your focus?
Is there a rival throne competing in your heart for Christ's love and supremacy?
Is there any thing (idol) enthroned above him?
It is just you, your innermost thoughts and the Lord right now, so ask and answer these questions and others he brings to your heart. Are you after popularity and fame just for your own glory? Is solitude only for your own ease? Do you desire wealth just for your own comfort? Or poverty for the (poisonous) feeling of self-righteousness?
Don't get me wrong, this is not an exercise in self-condemnation in any way. It is assessing yourself and aligning your heart to conform to Christ's heart. Now it is not about other people, it is just about you and the Lord. Know that like every loving parent does, God does take pleasure in our recognition and comfort just as he does in our spiritual growth (Ps 84:11); but who Jesus (the son of God) is to us is the cornerstone of our lives and stability as Christians. God's love and commitment to us is firm, proven and settled by the sacrifice of Jesus, romans 5:8, so God-the-father made him Master (Lord). The question now is, is he master to you?
Who is Jesus to you in reality? In the secret and quietness of your innermost heart, is he enthroned in there?
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I often point out spiritual songs (songs given by the Spirit of God to the Church) and people doing great things in line with the Lord's will and timing for this season, though they should rightly take pleasure in their good work, it is not about celebrity. It is to promote the glory and direction of Jesus that was shone through them (at the time) to guide his Church. Jesus is worthy of a heart not driven by a lust, greed or self-centred glory or fame, but full of grateful, worshipful service.
''Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.'' 2 Corinthians 4:6
Mature children serve.
We are not called 'freeloaders' - in it for what we can get (I.e taking advantage of everything in Christ primarily for our own promotion, pleasure and gain) but we are called heirs. Like well trained heirs, the reason we serve should be because we have known, understood and loved our father enough to imbibe his heart for the Church and this world. We have the mind of Christ which is the Father's heart. Any prophecies, move and word of God is not to be capitalised on for selfish ambition like the world does. We are sons who serve just like our father (God) gives from a heart that cares. His is a true, responsible and selfless heart.
The Lord does not save by a multitude or by human prowess, he saves by reverential obedience to his instruction. It is his power at work through us. To serve him rightly is to be submitted to him. Do you serve? Is it in his way?
When others talk of their love, success plans and processes, you are to think different. Your motivation, ability, processes and kind of love is meant to be different. It is sourced, defined and informed by Yahweh - the God of God's, through his word and by his Holy spirit.
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The Church of Jesus, though organised, is a family unit operating beyond the confines of walls, legalism and it's (practical) man-made institutional structures. It is the organic and spiritual living body of a living, tangible and spiritual Messiah: the Risen Jesus. This living spiritual organism is beyond the systems and logic of this world which often defers to Satan. The Church must operate from a totally different mind: the mind of the Almighty, All- knowing and seeing God of Everything!
"For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord." Psalm 33:4-5 KJV
You as part of the Church are born of the word of God which is Jesus Christ (John 1:13). We therefore live to serve the will of God shown in his word to us. When you get to the point that you don't want anything above Jesus the Master and his will, then you are ready to serve the way he wants to be served: in spirit and truth. As infants are trained from being people who selfishly always want to receive, into becoming responsible adults that serve and give, train yourself to prioritise loving the Lord and your service will come out of that love. Then train others and especially the children to think in this way.
There are greater satisfactions in service than any rewards this world can offer. Let your daily service be a worship to God and Jesus Christ our Master.
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Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. [AMP read Philippians 2:3-11NLT]
'He made us his kingdom and priests who serve God his Father. To Jesus be glory and power forever and ever! Amen.' Revelation 1:6 ERV
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Galatians 5:13 KJV
''But the time is coming when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. In fact, that time is now here. And these are the kind of people the Father wants to be his worshipers. God is spirit. So the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24 ERV
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