This is the content of the last thursdays sharing at prayer, think its relevant Not only to those in my prayer group. Its from Malachi 3. Here Goes..


Malachi 3:8-10 Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask ‘How do we rob you?’ In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse – the whole nation of you – because you are robbing me. Bring the Whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Context of this was after Israel returned from exile in Persia. Although they worshipped God, they also began to let slack on some of his commandments, one of which was offering blemished sacrifices (Instead of the first fruits) to God. You can read more before Malachi 3 and the second half of Nehemiah 13 about how their living displeased God. I think it wasn’t the acts in itself which displeased God, these acts revealed the condition of their hearts: they have the right attitude of worship and reverence.

How does this apply to us?? We may not be on the verge of falling away, or in danger of losing our faith; there is no emergency to speak of. But I believe there are some things that hinder us from being in the fullness of relationship with God and his plans for our lives. In the NT, he doesn’t require our sacrifices anymore, because Jesus was that sacrifice, instead he requires us to live our whole lives, as an act of worship unto him. Our body is a temple of God. Here are some things that might hinder our walks..


Pride

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples ‘If any of you would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’

Psalms 52:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.


Sin

2 Timothy 2:20-21 In a large house, there are articles not only of Gold and Silver, but also of wood and clay, some for noble purposes, and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, mad holy, useful to the master and prepared to do any good work.


Time

Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
(relationship requires time!)


Didn’t elaborate much on each verse, but I pray that you’ll think over the verses and God will direct you on this. Its nearly the end of the year, and for J2's the final stretch before we graduate from the school. I encourage you to finish this race beautifully :)


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