Hi everyone! In this post I really want to tell you why I feel called to Brazil and what I plan on doing there. First I will start with what is The Pais Project and its vision. Pais is all about missionaries making missionaries and further the Kingdom of God. At Pais Brazil we will be working with the schools; whether it be giving them lessons, helping them clean, inviting them to youth group at the Pais Brazil partnered church, helping with after school groups, etc. This is really needed because the public school system is very poor and half the time the teaches are on strike and do not come in. The students are very open and receptive to learning and getting to know God. We will also be working in the favelas, or shanty towns, bringing them a weekly message and also bringing them clothes, food, medicine, whatever the need including prayer.

Also we will being working with the local partnered church and the youth group. We will go through training and we will also train students and mentor them one on one and in groups. We also have small groups every week! My vision and desire for this mission is to really show the people in Brazil the heart of God and to further His Kingdom. I want to show the youth that God ha amazing plans for them and that He loves them unconditionally. I have a real heart for youth all over the world it is my heart and my passion to let them know then have a purpose in life and God loves them so much. I want to make a difference with God's help in their lives. I want the youth to see their potential and strive to be the best they can be and to take what they have learned and teach others! God has put such a passion and love in my heart for the country and people of Brazil!!! I also want to take everything I learn in Brazil and bring it back here to Wales and the UK and continue to make a difference in the lives of the youth here too.

This is an incredible opportunity for me to learn and grow in so many ways. This will also give me the experience and training to become a Youth Pastor one day! I hope this has allowed you to get to know me and my vision a little bit more. Please pray for me and the people who will be in my team and the people of Brazil and if you would like to donate please do all you have to do is follow the link below.

I really need your help to get to Brazil and to further God's Kingdom. If you would like to be a part of this I would really appreciate it I really need you guys to help me fundraise. The first thing I need to fundraise for is my plane ticket which is around £2000 this may seem a lot of money but God can provide this through money people I'm sure. The next thing I need is around £300 for my Visa and then a further £300 to start me off for my first few months in Brazil. So if even if you can only give as little as £1 it all makes a big difference to me.

Please share this with everyone you know God Bless.

ITS GODS CHOICE

"For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts" 1 Thessalonians 2:4

Man proposes, but God disposes. We make our choices, but God decides what He really wants us to do. And God's choices are not always ours.

The nation of Israel was given an opportunity to choose a leader, and they selected a man named Saul. Saul was taller than everybody else. He was more handsome. He was a People magazine's sexiest-man-alive type of guy. So he was the perfect choice—by the people, for the people.

The problem was that he wasn't God's choice. And he messed up. Then God showed the people His choice, a young man named David who watched his father's sheep. His earthly father effectively had disowned him. But God saw David as a man after His own heart (see 1 Samuel 13:14).

When people consider choices for spiritual leaders, they tend to be drawn to certain types, just like the people of Israel were in Saul's day. But we see from the story of David and Saul that God ultimately makes the decision. It doesn't matter whether they have gone to Bible college or seminary or have multiple degrees. Those things are fine. But they don't automatically mean that someone has been called by God.

People cannot ordain people to ministry; only God can. All we can do is merely acknowledge what God has already done in calling someone into His service.

So if you think you may be called to ministry, whatever you perceive that to be, start where you are right now and be faithful in the little things.

Do things for the Glory of God. The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in 1 Thessalonians 2:4. "For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News....... "

 So don't worry about whether anyone notices or applauds you just serve God faithfully.

Timing Is Everything

He has made everything beautiful in its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

When I look back on my life, at the things God has allowed me to do and the opportunities He has opened up, I can see the wisdom of His perfect timing now even though it didn’t feel like it during that time.

Our tendency is to rush things, but just because something has not yet happened in our life doesn't necessarily mean it won't happen tomorrow. And that doesn't mean it won't happen a month or a year from now.

Perhaps one phase of our lives is ending and another is beginning. Maybe everything that has happened to us up to this point in our life has been preparation for what is still ahead.

Late bloomers

Moses' ministry didn't get going until he was 80 years old. Wandering out there in the desert of Midian with his little flock of sheep, he probably thought his life was pretty much over. In reality, it was just about to begin.

Then there was Caleb, another Israelite who left Egypt in the Exodus. Along with Joshua, Caleb came back full of optimism and belief when they were sent to spy out the Promised Land. But when the Israelites believed the pessimistic report of the 10 other spies, God was so displeased that He refused to allow them to enter the land.

Wait on the Lord

Years later, when Joshua led a new generation of Israelites into the Promised Land, Caleb was among them. And at 80 years old, he told Joshua:

I'm asking you to give me the hill country that the LORD promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the Anakites living there in great, walled cities. But if the LORD is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the LORD said. (Joshua 14:12 NLT)

Joshua gave him his little segment of land, as promised, and Caleb drove out all of its inhabitants. Caleb believed God's promises, and God was faithful. We need to do the same.

David offered the same advice with these words: "Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalm 27:14 NIV)

So I guess what I’m trying to say is even though it may feel like the dream God has given you is not in sight, you may be in the preparation period, without these times we may not be truly ready to step into the main plan God has for us. God has a big and amazing plan for us all and all we need to do is to follow the path he leads us in and trust that he is in control and there is a reason we haven’t reached our destination yet.

Who we are in God.

During our vision week we have been looking at "Who does God say i am" This was really encouraging and made me focus more on standing on the promises God has given me, here is what I Found out the WE are in God, it's the same for you as it is for me and anyone else in the world, take these truth for yourself and stand upon God's Promises. So Here is a list of biblical affirmations about our identity in Jesus Christ  This is just a portion of the many truths about who we have become through faith in God’s Son.

Who Does God Say I Am?

• I am a child of God.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those

who believe in His name. John 1:12

• I am a branch of the true vine, and a conduit of Christ’s life.

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine-dresser. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who

abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:1, 5

• I am a friend of Jesus.

No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have

called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.

John 15:15

• I have been justified and redeemed.

being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:24

• My old self was crucified with Christ, and I am no longer a slave to sin.

knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done

away with, that we would no longer be slaves to sin. Romans 6:6

• I will not be condemned by God.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

• I have been set free from the law of sin and death.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

Romans 8:2

• As a child of God, I am a fellow heir with Christ.

and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him

in order that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans 8:17

• I have been accepted by Christ.

Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. Romans 15:7

• I have been called to be a saint.

To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints

by calling, with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and

ours. 1 Corinthians 1:2 (Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2)

• In Christ Jesus, I have wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and

redemption.

But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness

and sanctification, and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30

• My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells in me.

Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1

Corinthians 3:16

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have

from God, and that you are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19

• I am joined to the Lord and am one spirit with Him.

But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 1 Corinthians 6:17

• God leads me in the triumph and knowledge of Christ.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the

sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14

• The hardening of my mind has been removed in Christ.

But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same

veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:14

• I am a new creature in Christ.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new

things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

• I have become the righteousness of God in Christ.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of

God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

• I have been made one with all who are in Christ Jesus.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female;

for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

• I am no longer a slave, but a child and an heir.

Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians

4:7

• I have been set free in Christ.

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again

to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

• I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual

blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3

I am chosen, holy, and blameless before God.

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and

blameless before Him. Ephesians 1:4

• I am redeemed and forgiven by the grace of Christ.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the

riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7

• I have been predestined by God to obtain an inheritance.

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose

who works all things after the counsel of His will. Ephesians 1:10-11

• I have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also

believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise. Ephesians 1:13

• Because of God’s mercy and love, I have been made alive with Christ.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we

were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been

saved). Ephesians 2:4-5

• I am seated in the heavenly places with Christ.

and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:6

• I am God’s workmanship created to produce good works.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared

beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

• I have been brought near to God by the blood of Christ.

But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of

Christ. Ephesians 2:13

• I am a member of Christ’s body and a partaker of His promise.

the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise

in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Ephesians 3:6; 5:30

• I have boldness and confident access to God through faith in Christ.

in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. Ephesians 3:12

• My new self is righteous and holy.

put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of

the truth. Ephesians 4:24

• I was formerly darkness, but now I am light in the Lord.

you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light.

Ephesians 5:8

• I am a citizen of heaven.

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus

Christ. Philippians 3:20

• The peace of God guards my heart and mind.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds

in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

• God supplies all my needs.

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

• I have been made complete in Christ.

in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority. Colossians

2:10

• I have been raised up with Christ.

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is,

seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1

• My life is hidden with Christ in God.

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3

• Christ is my life, and I will be revealed with Him in glory.

When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Colossians 3:4

• I have been chosen of God, and I am holy and beloved.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion,

kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

• God loves me and has chosen me.

knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you. 1 Thessalonians 1:4

If we embrace the truths from Scripture about who we have become in Christ, we will be more stable, grateful, & fully assured in this world

Do Not Be Discouraged.

Even the most committed believer has those moments when fear or worry can kick in.

Anxiety can overtake us. Maybe we're concerned about our future, feel discouraged about some of our failures and shortcomings, or find ourselves anxious about the lives of our family members.

Far too often, though, we are afraid of the wrong things in life, and not afraid of the right things . . . or the right One. Many people don't fear God, giving Him the awe and the reverence that is His due. Yet the Bible tells us that the fear of the Lord is the very beginning of wisdom.

What is the "fear of the Lord?"

The Bible says that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever" (Psalm 111:10).

To fear God doesn't mean that we are in terror before Him. But the fear of God has been properly defined as a wholesome dread of displeasing Him. If I have sinned, my fear should not be based on the anticipation of what God will do to me, but on what I have done to displease Him. I love Him so much that I would never want to grieve His heart by turning my back on Him or going my own way. That is what it means to fear the Lord.

Don't be discouraged today

David wrote, "The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever" (Psalm 19:9). It is good for us to fear Him. When we fear God, we fear nothing else. On the other hand, if we don't fear God, then we fear everything else, and we find ourselves running from shadows.

In another psalm, David stated, "The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1). Only the person who can say, "The Lord is the strength of my life," can then say, "Of whom shall I be afraid?"

Maybe you feel that your life has been a failure, or perhaps find yourself discouraged, depressed, or afraid of something. If you're gripped by fear and worry today, then let the Lord be the strength of your life. Trade in all your lesser and destructive fears for the fear that will bring wisdom and peace.

Philippians 4:13
Love and Blessings x

Made for his Glory

"Bring all who claim me as their God , for I have made them for my Glory, It was I who created them" Isaiah 43:7

In Matthew 25, we find a story Jesus told about three servants who were each given a certain amount to invest while their master was away. When he returned, two of the three servants had multiplied their gifts, while the third had simply buried it in the ground.

The third servant offered this excuse: "Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn't plant and gathering crops you didn't cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back" (Matthew 5:24–25). To loosely paraphrase, "It's not my fault."

Sometimes they have a sense of entitlement. And when they are irresponsible and squander what has been given to them, we have the audacity to actually blame the person who gave it to us.

The master told this man, "You wicked and lazy servant! . . . Why didn't you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it" (verses 26–27).

You know, there are people like this today. They are believers. They have been forgiven by God. And they are going to heaven when they die. But they are lazy. They don't take the life that God has given them and use it for His glory. They think it is all about them, how everyone should cater to them, how everyone should be serving them. They never think about serving others. They never think about glorifying God.

We have to ask ourselves the question, Why am I here on this earth to begin with? The answer is that we are here to bring glory to God. We are here to honor His name. So let's take what God has given and use it for His glory. 

What do you think God wants you to do?

Love & Blessings x

You are what you Speak

Proverbs 18:21
"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences
What ever you speak can bring life or death into your life".

The life we are living today is the harvest from the seeds we have planted in our past; and today, we are planting seeds for our future.

When we speak positive words, the angels will move on our behalf and your circumstances will change for the better.

It's so easy to talk during the day about what wrong or what we believe to be worthless. Whether it's our jobs, our health, our family or relationships.

It can get so deep it becomes part of our subconscious.  This is a trap from the enemy.

It is very important to be aware as to what we are filling our minds with.

We need to fill our minds with the word of God. No what the Doctor says, no what our bank accounts look like.

Whatever is in our mind in abundance, we will speak and whatever we speak it will become an action, and then a lifestyle.

Replace Negative Statements with the Word of God.

Philippians 4:8 (CEV)

"Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don't ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise"

 

We need to think and speak good about our health, our finances, our family, our friendships ,and believe What he says about us. and who WE ARE IN CHRIST.

Be a Living Hope

Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter1:3

Some friendships are what I would describe as high-maintenance. These are friends who get easily offended and get upset if you don't call them every weekend and do something with them and give them a basic, daily update of everything you are doing.

But then there are friendships that go on for years. I have friends whom I have known for more than 20 years. I won't see them for a year, and when I do see them, we actually will pick up where we last left off. It is like we were just together.

In heaven, we will be able to pick up where we last left off with our friends and loved ones. There are things we wish we could have said to them. And there are things we wish they would have said to us. But the conversation was cut off.

Have you ever been talking to someone on the phone and lost service? You were in the middle of a conversation, when suddenly it began to feel like a one-way conversation. This happened to me recently. I was talking to my friend, and we were going back and forth. I asked her something and, after a long pause, wondered, Why isn't he answering me? He had been off the phone for awhile. We had been cut off.

In heaven, there will be reunited relationships and continued conversations. Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we will have resurrected relationships.

The gospel is needed

Needless to say that attitude would be the epitome of selfishness, even criminal.  The correct answer is that you want to get the cure out to as many people as possible and as quickly as you possibly can.

To use another example, lets say that you were walking down the street and you heard someone screaming who is trapped in a house that is burning down. What do you do? just hope someone is around who can help or do you take action and do something?

How much more important is the truth of the gospel message, for it is a cure that is even more significant than a cure for cancer, that does not mean doing it rudely or harshly, or look at people as "notches on your belt." It means lovingly, yet boldly engaging them with the gospel message.

 

It's a option of freedom, a new life. we can actually have an impact into the lives of anyone around us, When we share the gospel with others, it's like we are going to a person who is trapped in a burning house, with only moments to live, and pulling them to safety. Scripture describes it as "Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment" (Jude 1:23 NLT).

Evangelism is such an important part of our journey, its the reason we are here to share the good news with everyone we have contact with. Surely surrendering our pride and what people think of us is worth giving up if it means someone can be set free and have Salvation.

His work, His Way, His Timing!

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also he has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from the beginning. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Some people start projects with great enthusiasm but then don't always finish them. That is me. I get really excited about starting something, but sometimes I lose interest. For instance, when I cook, I am excited about getting the meal ready and eating it, but then I don't really like to clean up. Or when it is time to clean \my bedroom, I will get three-fourths of it done, and then I will say, "I will finish up the rest later on today." And guess what? I never do.

Aren't you glad that God isn't that way? Imagine if God said, "You know, I love you. I have chosen you. I want to transform you into My image. But I am kind of bored with you. I am moving on now."
 

"What? Wait. You are not going to finish?"

"No. I have moved on. I found someone more interesting than you."

But God finishes what He starts. Scripture tells us that He is "the author and finisher of our faith" Hebrews 12:2."We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew that later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side of God's throne! 

And Philippians 1:6 says, "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."

But here is what we need to remember: God does His work in His way in His own timing. As Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, "He has made everything beautiful in its time." But sometimes we grow impatient with God. We say, "Lord, finish this!"

He will finish it—you can be confident of that. But sometimes if we don't see any tangible progress, we think that God has lost interest in us or perhaps has even abandoned us. We need to remember that is never the case. He will complete what He has started.

So if there is anything you have been asking God to do or have a prayer unanswered, my challenge to you is - Keep praying and seeking the Lords will for your life, he will answer BUT in this timing and not ours,

Love & Blessings x

Michelle Hardisty

31/01/2012

Today We looked at Colossians 1 We follow a series called Haverim Devotions and today we looked at the First part P'shat”which means the intended meaning, we looked at the different things Paul was praying for the people of Colsse and then prayer these thing over each other.

Then we went to a school where we did some Teacher assistant work in a RE class, we looked at the topic of the Bible and the reasons why Christians read it, they discovered it was and has been for the past 500 years the best selling book, this gave us the opportunity to share about the Bible and stories within it in more details, the children had lots of questions.

Then we came back and did ministry prep for kids club tomorrow and academy. I had my first mentoring session where we talked about Nehemiah and the things that we struggle with and what we need to do to keep building the walls in our lives and prayed against all the barriers that stop us from doing this.

We finished the evening off at a youth group where I had the opportunity to heap lead worship we sang a great song, set me a fire within in my soul, that I can't that can't control, I want more of you God” this is the cry of our heart. where we watched the “ Noise Nooma” DVD there was a point where all the young people had to be quiet and it talked about reasons why its so hard to be in silence,

We then split into small discussion groups, we had a great discussion in my group, they said how there is so much noise around us and distractions its harder to hear God talk to you, we looked at the passage Matthew 11:28”.......”

- I asked them if there was any problems in their lives they need God to bring rest to and one boy really opened up to us about things he struggled him so we had an opportunity at the end to pray for everyone.

Pray for my enemies.

"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." Matthew 5:44

The first statement Jesus made from the cross was, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (Luke 23:34). Maybe we would have understood it more if He had said, "Father, condemn them," or "Father, judge them." But the first thing Jesus said from the cross was a prayer for His enemies: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Jesus was practicing what He preached. Remember, in the Sermon on the Mount He said, "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).

And Jesus also was fulfilling a Messianic prophesy. Isaiah 53, written hundreds of years before Christ died, said that the Messiah would make intercession for the transgressors. And that is exactly what Jesus was doing. He was interceding for all the people who played a role in His death.

Pilate himself knew Jesus was innocent. He said, "I find no fault in this Man" (Luke 23:4). But because he was so concerned about his career and position, he would not pardon Jesus and let Him go. The religious rulers knew that no legitimate charge could be brought against Christ. Even the Roman centurion at the cross said, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:39). Judas Iscariot knew he had done wrong, saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood" (Matthew 27:4).

So Jesus was essentially saying, "Father, forgive them. They don't realize how bad this is. Forgive them, because they need forgiveness so desperately. Forgive them, for they have committed a sin that is beyond all comprehension. Forgive them, for they have done something that is beyond bad. Father, forgive them."

When was the last time you prayed for your enemies? I'm going to challenge myself this week to Pray for everyone in my life including my enemies.

Will you do the same?

Seeking Gods Face

2 chronicles 7:14 "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land

This challenged me and made me think – when I pray is it more seeking his hand, asking him to do things for me than seeking his face, - what does seeking his face really mean?

What does it mean to worship God? We can learn a lot about worship simply through relationship with God here is a few keys to opening God's heart through praise and worship.

Some of us see God as a giant Santa Claus. Simply submit our wish list and we'll wake up one morning to find that all is well. Sometimes we fail to realize that relationship is everything. It's the one thing God wants more than anything else. And it's when we take the time to seek God's face - which is simply investing in that ongoing relationship with him - that he extends his hand because his heart is open to hear all we have to say. 

So how do we know if our relationship with God is centered around seeking his face instead of simply his hand? What can we do to make sure our motive is pure as we praise and worship God? 

 

• Spend most of our time with God in praise and worship. Letting God know how much we love and appreciate him never gets old to God. In fact, praise and worship is the key that opens God's heart. 
   
• Come to God just as we are with an open heart. Letting God sees all that is in our heart, good or bad, this lets God know that we value our relationship with him enough to let him see it all and do whatever he needs to do in and through us. 
   
• Look for opportunities to offer God praise and worship in things around us. All we need to do is see a beautiful sunset or one of the many other wonders of nature to offer God praise and thanksgiving for that miraculous blessing. God appreciates a grateful heart. 
   
• Don't be afraid to show God how we truly feel as we worship him. There are those who don't feel comfortable raising their hands or showing any emotion during worship services. Yet those same people can be found at sporting events or concerts whooping, clapping, and hollering as if it really mattered. I'm not saying we have to jump up and down or shout. Simply standing with open hands shows God that our heart is open and we want to feel God's presence. 
   
  And most importantly:
  
• Don't judge, look down on, or criticize someone else because they want to show emotions and energy as they worship. Just because an expression of worship is different than our own, doesn't mean it is inappropriate or wrong. We need to concentrate on worshiping God ourselves so our focus remains on building our own relationship with God.
  

Christian praise and worship can be one of the most powerful ways to help us build our relationship with God. There is nothing better than feeling the love, peace, and acceptance of God's presence all around you.

But remember, like a parent, God is looking for that ongoing relationship. When he sees our open heart and our desire to get to know him for who he is, his heart opens to hear all we have to say. 
 
What a concept! Seeking God's face and then feeling the blessings from his hand.