What defines your life? What do you value?

If you ask someone what the most important thing is in their life, then watch how they live their life - you will usually see a disconnect. What's they ideally say is important, is not usually where they spend their time, effort, or money.

I've seen a lot of people say that their family was important to them, but they spent all their time at work trying to provide the material thing and they've missed the relationship with their family, which most would argue is far more important.

I have seen people say that the most important thing to them was their health. When you look at them on the outside, they appear to eat healthy and exercise, but they also smoke and drink too much - which arguably could have a negative impact on their body.

If you ask a Christian, they most likely will tell you that God is the most important thing in their lives, but is you ask them to explain salvation, or articulate what they believe, it's really difficult. And when you look at their lives, the expectation of seeing them live their life as Jesus lived his... well, let's just say a lot of things may be lacking.

In Philippians, Paul makes a bold statement.

For me to live is Christ, to die is gain. Phil 1:21

When you look at Paul, you know the most important thing in his life was sharing the Gospel. He grasped one this one idea that is spread consistently throughout the New Testament.

 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I liv by faith in the Song of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Gal 2:20

Jesus explains the same idea this way:

They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in the truth. John 17:16-19

So, the question of the morning is... how are you living? What do you value?

For you to live is.......

Who's in charge, anyway???

Sometimes, kids can be funny. I remember when my youngest child was a toddler - he was getting into something that he shouldn't, so as a typical parent, I told him to stop. I will never forget the first time he looked at me, very sternly and said "No, you stop!"

The first time it happens, it's really kind of cute, but after that... not so much. I remember thinking - how can this child, that can't tie his own shoes, prepare a meal for himself... this child that is so dependent upon me for everything really think that he can tell me what to do?

When you think about it, sometimes that mirrors our own relationship with God. Have you ever prayed where you're basically telling God what to do? Is that the way that it's supposed to work? The Bible is very clear that God knows what we need at any particular time - so I'm not saying that we shouldn't ask... the Bible is very clear that we should ask.

The question is... what should we be asking?

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He was very clear:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

 Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:9)

The main point of this model pray is that God's will be done on earth. Our desire is that God's will should be done. Everything else is a reminder of His word - that He would supply our need - like He did when the Children were in the wilderness... God Provided manna... daily. God is faithful to believe. God has no desire that we sin or perish...

This week, let us spend time reading the Bible to understand the character of God, and pray that His will is done in our lives.