Pastor's Thoughts For The Month

To the Disciples of Christ here at New Hope Baptist Church in Metuchen and the many visitors to our web site, this month I want to talk about "Motives."  In Jeremiah 17:10 it says, "I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives.  I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve."  What are some of the ways God challenges our motives?

In Mark 10:21-22 it says, "Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. There is still one thing you haven't done, He told him.  Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me.  At this the man's face fell and he went away very sad, for he had many possessions."

Then in Psalm 16:2 it says, "Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.  Test my motives and my heart."

Last but not least, Psalm 139:23 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts."

God challenges you to take the "heart" test.  He wants you to examine your heart; that is, to test your motives to discover what you value most.  If God is usually an afterthought for you, if you give just a little time or money to your church and to God's work, you need to ask whether or not you are passing  His test.  Another part of the "heart" test is how you react to problems that interrupt your life.  Do they drive you to ask God for help, or do you usually try to solve them without even thinking about God?  Perhaps the biggest part of the test is to ask yourself how you would respond if God asked you to give away everything you have to follow Him.  These are some of the ways God challenges us.  

God is calling for "unselfish service" from those who call themselves followers of Christ, (Christians).  The Lord is looking for those who are not afraid to make the sacrifices that will glorify our God and bring about His will.  Are you up for the test?  Are you willing to serve God's purpose for your life and not count the cost?  It aught to be ever present in our minds that God the Father gave up the most precious gift for our salvation, His "only" begotten son.  So we should be willing to give up our time, our talents, and our resources to bring about the will of our God and His desire for us.  How are you handling the test?