Pressing In For More
When another year passes and a new year has begun, I've made it a habit to take inventory of where I'd lacked or struggled with the previous year. I always prayerfully consider what I desire and more importantly what the Lord desires for the upcoming year. This year was no different.
I have to ask you, “How desperate are you for more of God in your life?” He will take you as far as you allow Him to take you. We each have only one life to live and to fulfill all that He has called us to accomplish on the earth.
I've heard many Christian leaders stating this year to be a year of increase. Increase in particular concerning the things that you desire of God. The truth is, there is always a price to pay for tapping into the, “more of God.” So, what is that price? Desperate desire, a greater intimacy in prayer and in His Word, purity, integrity and faith to name a few. These are basic beliefs, fundamentals that should be established in every one of us that love the Lord.
Let me give you a key that I use each new calendar year personally. I make it a point to never be satisfied with where I’m at and what has been accomplished. I praise God for what He's done and I make sure to give Him all the glory. But I remind myself each year that there is more in God, much - much more available and I want it! I determine within myself to not be satisfied with the status quo but to push for more!
I want to challenge you to truly desire more and not be satisfied with where you’re at. Go after the more that God offers you.
Consider this old saying, "what is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result." I have made it my goal to not repeat in 2024 the same things I did in 2023. I do not want business as usual. I'm choosing to go deeper. I am desperate for the more of God.
Psa.42:1-5, 7-8, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You O God. My soul thirsts for God. For the living God. When shall I come and appear before God: My tears have been my food day and night. When I remember these things I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude. I went with them to the house of God With the noice of joy and praise. With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God. For I shall yet praise Him. For the help of His countenance.
7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls. All you waves and billows have gone over me. The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime and in the night His song shall be with me. A prayer to the God of my life.”
Engagement:
Make this passage of Scripture your cry unto the Lord this year. My challenge to you is not to let your prayer life be only “popcorn prayers". A popcorn prayer is when we pop up a prayer to God and it carry's no depth in it. He is gracious to hear us even in casual conversation but if you want to go deeper, popcorn prayers won't get you there. That depth we're yearning for must begin in your prayer time.
I’m challenging you to discipline yourself to pray for at least one hour daily. That may seem like a lot but let me also remind you that if you've been filled with the Holy Spirit you have a prayer language where your spirit-man is praying and you don't have to engage your intellect. If you have yet to receive this gift yet, dig into the word and also attend the Midweek Encounter services at 6:30pm with my son, Pastor Josiah in the sanctuary, as he will be teaching on this subject in depth.
Aim to set aside time to intercede and pray. If you don’t have it, you can pray “in the Spirit” anytime during your day. I pray in tongues while I’m driving, showering, cooking etc. Praying in depth like this throughout my day gets me more than my 1 hour I'm challenging you to do. This month I am setting aside two hours to pray daily. I’m going after the more of God. Run with me and let’s go after God together in deep new ways and watch what He'll do in your life. You'll never be the same.
-George Elias
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