Seek God With No Strings Attached
Seek God With No Strings Attached | August 31, 2023
Louis XIV was one of France's most recognized kings. Known as the Sun King for the brilliance of his court, he saw his armies make France the most powerful country of its time. However, King Louis was not without his share of losses. When he received the news of his crushing defeat by the English at Blenheim, he purportedly proclaimed, "How could God do this to me? After all, I have done for Him!"
King Louie's alleged assertion sounds familiar because we sometimes make similar statements when circumstances do not go our way. For example, we may say, "Why God, would you allow this after all I have done for you?" Or "How could you let this happen considering all of my good deeds?"
Perhaps a new perspective to embrace can say, "I will seek God with no strings attached." Adopting this attitude means that our time invested in prayer, giving, church, serving, and kindness toward others is not to get anything in return. Following and being obedient to God is not about stockpiling good favor or brokering a get-out-of-jail-free card when we mess up. Sadly, one of the trickle-down effects of the false prosperity gospel and the concert-driven church model is that a relationship with God is about getting the next blessing. As a result, when problems come, we blame God because we think, in some weird way, He owes us for all the "good we have been doing." This thinking is arrogant and foolish because it finds gratification in seeing Christianity as nothing more than some gravy train of blessing.
We must remember that our relationship with God is all about His grace. Therefore, whatever we "do" is in response to what He has already done! All of our prayers, practices, and participation is a privilege, not a pathway to more possessions or perfect endings. Even so, God will provide for the person who seeks Him without the strings of selfishness. Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Louis XIV was one of France's most recognized kings. Known as the Sun King for the brilliance of his court, he saw his armies make France the most powerful country of its time. However, King Louis was not without his share of losses. When he received the news of his crushing defeat by the English at Blenheim, he purportedly proclaimed, "How could God do this to me? After all, I have done for Him!"
King Louie's alleged assertion sounds familiar because we sometimes make similar statements when circumstances do not go our way. For example, we may say, "Why God, would you allow this after all I have done for you?" Or "How could you let this happen considering all of my good deeds?"
Perhaps a new perspective to embrace can say, "I will seek God with no strings attached." Adopting this attitude means that our time invested in prayer, giving, church, serving, and kindness toward others is not to get anything in return. Following and being obedient to God is not about stockpiling good favor or brokering a get-out-of-jail-free card when we mess up. Sadly, one of the trickle-down effects of the false prosperity gospel and the concert-driven church model is that a relationship with God is about getting the next blessing. As a result, when problems come, we blame God because we think, in some weird way, He owes us for all the "good we have been doing." This thinking is arrogant and foolish because it finds gratification in seeing Christianity as nothing more than some gravy train of blessing.
We must remember that our relationship with God is all about His grace. Therefore, whatever we "do" is in response to what He has already done! All of our prayers, practices, and participation is a privilege, not a pathway to more possessions or perfect endings. Even so, God will provide for the person who seeks Him without the strings of selfishness. Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Recent
Promise Keeping Is Good For Your Health | November 28th
November 28th, 2023
Get The Deal Of Two Lifetimes
November 24th, 2023
Counting Blessings Cuts Down Stress
November 23rd, 2023
Bring Encouragement With You This Thanksgiving
November 22nd, 2023
Finish Strong With Forty Days Of Thanksgiving
November 21st, 2023
Archive
2023
August
Good Decisions Require Discernment Live By God's PowerPraying For Real ComfortGetting In Rhythm With GodAvoid Self-Righteous PrayersKeep Your Promises With GodMercy Leads To HappinessAddress Any Self-Righteous AttitudesPraying With ConfidenceHow Does God See You?Turn Away From Whatever Gets You StuckStop Talking About Your ProblemsOur Prayers Reach God's EarsStress Management Starts In The MorningFollowing ChristNavigating The Darkness Of This World Measure God's PromisesLittle Light Of MineGet Your Priorities In OrderPraying Without Results Can Be ToughYou Can Overcome DoubtPray ContinuouslyRescue-Me Prayers Practice Inward KindnessTrust God's TimingSurrender My AgendaFocus On Being A River Rather Than A ReservoirGod's Gracious CoveringYou Are Never Out Of God's ReachSeek God With No Strings Attached
September
Rise Above Your AngerGod Is Fully Aware Of Your AdversityAll The Days Of My LifeBalance Rest And LaborStrive To Always Be SincereBreaking The Habit Of WorryPrayer For Students And SchoolsAn Antidote AnxietyTrust God And Leave The Results To HimDeclareSeek God For Strength Fatigue Makes You Vulnerable To Temptation Put The Work Of Waiting Into MotionTrust In God Leads To Blessing Are You Teachable?BelieveMeditate On Scripture To Manage StressThink Through Your Actions Get Back On God's PathOur Father Who Art In HeavenHallowed Be Thy NameYour Kingdom Come, Your Will Be DoneGive Us This Day Our Daily BreadForgive Us Of Our SinsLead Us Not Into TemptationDeliver Us From The Evil OneFor Yours Is The Kingdom And The Power And The Glory Forever. AmenGetting Out Of Your Mental PitYou Can Have Unshakable FaithKeep Short Accounts With God
October
God Of The Final SayStop Making Excuses And Start Making Adjustments God Acts On Behalf Of Those Who Wait On HimWaiting On God For DirectionGod's Perfect FaithfulnessWaiting Can Wear You OutGod's Refuge Is Your UmbrellaGod's Cover 4 DefenseRemove Negative Labels Live By God's PowerPraying For IsraelDiscouragement Is CurableGarbage In, Garbage Out Seeking God's BlessingMake Sundays Sacred We See A Battle, The Lord Sees Our Victory Refuse To Throw In The Towel God's Timing Is Trustworthy Be Miracle-MindedShake Off Negativity Keep Doing What Is RightMaintain An Active Church MembershipBe An Anyway Type Of PersonDetest Evil, Cling To Good Encouragement is oxygen for the mind.Kindness Will Reward YouCombine Prayer And ActionOvercoming Evil With Good Decisions
No Comments