FIRST Love: A True Life of Impact

God wants to grow my character MUCH more than my impact.

The flesh thinks God needs us. The Spirit teaches us that God needs nothing. He wants us... Not to be impactful for Him, but impactful to Him... to be His.

If I am truly God's, then my character must truly change.

The main mistake humans that are trying to be helpful to God make is: trying to be helpful to God.

Luke 10:38-42 NKJV — Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. “But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Much better to let God grow me, then I'll give Him everything and that will impact HIM, not the world around me. 

One heart -attitude is a theft of glory and the other gives God glory. Martha was trying to steal Jesus' glory and Mary was living in the light of His glory, which eventually magnified it... Or showed off the results of living with Yeshua:

John 12:2-8 NKJV — There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. “For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”

Hard-hearted = thinking like people and being unwilling to see things from God's perspective

Hard-hearted servants think of impact (self-importance) and justify it by the external results (it will help someone). God needs no help keeping the world going. 

John 3:29-30 NKJV — “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. “He must increase, but I must decrease.

A soft heart cares about God, and doesn't even attempt to justify its actions.

1 Corinthians 4:2-5 NKJV — Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

This road is narrow. It requires confidence in God's love and attention. "Serving" does nothing for growing my awareness of God's love. Abiding in His presence does. Resting in His glory does.

Once this confidence is grown in my heart, nothing outshines His smile in my eyes. No need is greater than my need for Him. No time better spent than gazing at His majesty.

This heart posture changes everything about a man... It develops a character that is supernatural and bears the fruit of the Holy Spirit, not the fruit of a person busy building a purpose for themselves.

People confident in God ALSO have a life that is active and vibrant and helpful... It just finds its source in His majesty, not their own strength.

Lovers outwork workers every time!