have I changed?

Each day brings new insight and blessing and challenges as well as opportunities.  The last several weeks have been overloaded for me as God speaks through the Bible.  Some incredible stuff has been put before me and continues to change me, from the inside out.

Today is no different.  The Scripture below is longer than what I normally give is but is a powerful passage that God pointed some things out to me through.  I have put a couple thoughts into.  But I ask that you go get your Bible and read Matthew 6 for yourself.  Just you and God.  See what He says.  I love it.  But it also hurts.

MATTHEW 6 (from The Message)

16-18 "When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won't make you a saint. If you 'go into training' inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn't require attention-getting devices. He won't overlook what you are doing; he'll reward you well.

Inward training is what Jesus does to us when we focus on him, yet far too many Christians have become a show for others to watch.  Am I more concerned with what God says or with what other people say?  Am I seeking the attention of people more than I am allowing God to get my attention?  Read on ...

19-21 "Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. 

We will spend time where our treasure is.  So answer this: where are you spending time?

22-23 "Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have! 

Do I live squinted eyes or wide eyed?  In my reading this morning I came across the fact that many of us can see but we rarely see God do anything.  Did you get that?

30-34 ... What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. 

What is God-Reality?  I desire and so want to live and breathe from that place and none other.  I pray as we move in 2010 that our biggest want will be more of God and less of me or us.  That means I will be changed as I become more like Jesus.

Now, that is some powerful truth from God (the words in red, I mean).