When the cry of desperation arises from deep within our spirits that we cannot live without His presence, we are echoing the Psalmists heartbeat for more of God. It is only as we lay down our pride of place, influence, and position that we can embrace the “more” that God has for us. There are so many today who will put the attainment of material possessions and positions of power and earthly influence above the favor and pleasure of God. Such individuals do not realize that these things pale in comparison to what God has given to us as citizens of the Kingdom (2Peter 1:3). His desire is that we seek Him first so that we can enjoy to the fullest all that He has prepared for us in the earth.

Desperation for more of God calls for a separation of the profane from the sacred. We cannot mix our opinions and ways with God’s ways when they are in opposition to His righteousness. We become fully aware that it is not about what we think, but rather, what God thinks and what expresses His heart for the circumstances in life that confront us.

The cry for more of God will be revealed in our lifestyle. The people with whom we live, work, and worship will recognize that our lives reflect His character. The love that He has placed in our hearts will reach out to others in unmistakable acts of kindness, compassion and selfless giving. Instead of attention being drawn to ourselves, our pursuit will draw others to Him. His love will cause us to go out of our way to relieve those who are oppressed. Our words will always be seasoned with grace and bring comfort and consolation. His work will be revealed in us through miracles, signs and wonders, His calling card of grace.

Just as God satisfies the deer who pants after water, so will He give spiritual refreshing and enabling grace to those who seek Him. God wants to be found by us. He delights in our dwelling in His presence and honoring Him with our worship. As we draw close to Him, He will draw close to us (James 4:8). Let us be relentless brothers and sisters in our pursuit of Him. With sincere hearts may we continue to cry out for more of God that Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian church would be a reality in our lives, as he prays that we might be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19). Oh God, give us more of You.

Scripture : Ephesians 3: 14-19

It has always been the purpose of God to have a people through the generations that declare His name. God sought out a people who would do so beginning with Abraham and the nation of Israel. In Genesis 18:19, the Lord said that He would not hide from Abraham that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because He knew that he would command his children and his household after him (meaning the generations that followed), to keep His way and to do justice and judgment.

In Psalm 71:18, the Psalmist asks God to grant to him that even when he gets old and gray-headed he would have the ability to declare God’s strength and power not just to the present generation but to the generations to come. You see, they understood that generations were to pass on the knowledge of God. There was to be no such thing as a generation gap. They considered it their responsibility to make sure that the generations which followed knew the ways of the Lord and His wonderful works. History tells us that they did not always accomplish this because sometimes a generation arose that did not know God. However, God would raise up prophets and judges who would instruct them in the truth of God and reveal His ways and works to be passed on to their children.

God’s purposes have not changed from the days of old to present day. His desire remains that His goodness, strength, and wonderful works be passed on to succeeding generations. They must be passed on by those who know Him through relationship. The older generation must declare to the younger generation the goodness of God as well as His works and the knowledge that His plans for them are good and not evil to give them a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). They must pour into the young of this present generation the knowledge and experiences they have gained. In like manner, the younger generation must embrace the older generation and readily receive their input of wisdom and discernment adding their strength and youth to accomplish the purposes of God. It is this connection between the old and the young that will cause one generation to declare God’s ways to the succeeding generations. What are you doing to pass on the knowledge, wisdom, and ways of God to the next generation?”

Scripture Reading: Psalms 78:1-7

I would like to begin this meditation with an often quoted phrase the essence of which says that you can be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good. I have often thought about this phrase because if you look at it in the context of our meditation scripture, it is not true. The scripture tells us to “set our affection on things above and not on things on the earth.” If you are heavenly minded, you can be of the greatest earthly good. You see, God’s desire is that we bring the reality of His Kingdom to this earth realm. In fact, Jesus tells us to pray, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).” God’s will cannot be done on earth if our perspective is only centered on earthly realities. We must as children of the Kingdom, bring heaven’s realities to the earth by being heavenly minded and having heaven’s perspective.

The word “affection” implies a fondness for something to the extent that your thoughts will be focused on whatever it is that you are fond of. It also implies an intense concentration or interest in something or someone. If we as children of God set our minds intensely on the realm of heaven, we will cause the Kingdom of God to be manifested in the earth. People will be healed, because our minds will be focused on the work that Jesus did and the command that He gave, “And as ye go, preach, saying, the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give (Matthew 10:7-8).” We will not allow Satan to take our children and loved ones captive to drugs, pornography, alcoholism and the myriad sins that debilitate and destroy. If our affection is set on things above, we will exercise the authority that has been given us as heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. We will not be satisfied to eke out an existence when He has promised us “abundant life.”

If our affection is set on things above, we will move in the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit as our normal way of life. Those who do not know Christ will see Him manifested in our lives and desire to have the same kind of life. We will not allow the financial and economic situation of the world to create fear in our hearts because our God is not in recession and has let us know by His Word, that “He shall supply all of our needs.” We will not hesitate to sow seed to bless our communities as well as those in other parts of the world. If our affection is set on things above we will realize that when we pray according to His Word, we will receive the promises of God.

Let me say here that if your affection is solely focused on the earth realm, you will become discouraged as well as depressed. In Luke 21:26, it speaks of the time we are now living in, and says, “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth…” When your attention and affection is on the things of this earth, you will also be afraid. So, dear reader, get the right perspective and place your affection on heavenly realities. Be heavenly minded. The things of this world that so many strive for are merely temporal enjoyments. We must intensely desire the heavenly realities as we pray for the Kingdom of God to come and His will to be done in the earth.

Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:1-17

As we enter the year of 2012, let it be in our heart to move forward in the purposes that God has ordained for our lives. Let us not begin it with so called “New Year’s resolutions” that we will only focus on for the first couple of weeks. At the beginning of a new year there are those who take out contracts for fitness facilities, others who concentrate on ridding themselves of bad habits and still others who determine to get out of debt. However, most of these good intentions are abandoned within the first few weeks of the year. Let me suggest to you some ways of starting this year off that will bless you as you move forward.

First of all, do not focus on last year’s failures. Our meditation scripture says, “…forgetting those things that are behind.” You may have had some disappointments and situations that did not turn out the way you desired. However, in this year focus on what you have learned as a result of what you experienced and use those situations as stepping stones to bigger and better things in God. In other words, do not give up hope or lose your expectation for what you want from God but instead, do as the scripture admonishes and “reach forth to those things which are before.”

Determine to give Jesus first place in your life. I am not stating this as a high sounding platitude, but rather as a statement of what you must do in order to thrive as a follower of Jesus. This means that you will acknowledge Him in every aspect of your life as you seek Him first and His Kingdom according to Matthew 6:33 which says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Let your decisions both small and great be guided by the wisdom that comes from His Word.

Stay connected with others in the body of Christ for encouragement and fellowship. Enjoy times of fun and laughter with family and friends since Proverbs 17:22 tells us, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…” The Christian life is to be joyful. You do not have to go around with a sad countenance all the time. Learn how to relax and enjoy life. Jesus came that we might have abundant life, and joy is a significant part of this abundance. It is His joy that strengthens us (Nehemiah 8:10).

Always keep a heart of forgiveness toward those who may offend you so that you can walk in the blessings of God and receive answers to prayer. You may even need to forgive yourself instead of beating up on yourself for those things that you did not accomplish last year. You can start over and with God’s help accomplish in this year what was not possible last year. Finally, cast off the wrong attitudes of last year and ask God to give you a new attitude for this year of 2012. Remember, we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Phil. 4:13). Have a great year full of the blessings of God.

Scripture Reading: Philippians 3