This morning Pastor Paul Mattee (from Kenya) spoke in Church. He gave a talk to the kids about the offerings which Cain and Abel brought before God. Abel's offering was pleasing to God, because he gave with pure motives from the depths of his heart; but Cain's offering was rejected because his motives were not pure.
This is a good reminder that no matter what we are doing for Christ - be it praying, worshiping, sharing the Good News of the Bible, anything and everything - we must do it for God, and God alone, and we must do it with great joy in that we are serving our maker, our King, our dearest friend, our Father, our Saviour!
It made me think about my motives in all the things I am doing 'for God'. I realised that sometimes I do things, in part for God, but also in part to receive recognition. As Matthew 6:2 says, 'Thus, whenever you give to the poor, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites in the synagogues and in the streets like to do, that they may be recognised and honoured and praised by men. Truly I tell you, they have their reward in full already' (Amplified Version).
God, my Father, Creator and King, please forgive me for the times I have brought you offerings with an impure heart and false motives. I thank You that You know my heart to its depths, and that You have the power to change it. Please transform my heart, so that I may focus only on living in perfect relationship with You, and on pleasing You because You are worthy. May I not desire the praise or recognition of others, only the delight that my offering may bring to You. Please strengthen me with Your Holy Spirit, continue to remind me to consider my motives, and enable me to present a pleasing offering to You with my whole life. Thank You God for Your forgiveness, Your love and mercy, Your power to save and transform, and Your faithfulness! I praise You God.
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