Pride is instinctive to human nature. So, boasting, no matter how we may attempt to disguise it, flows from our core as effortlessly as breathing. We simply need to express who we are and what we’ve accomplished—“wise, strong or rich,” as the Lord explains in Jeremiah 9:23,24. Still, there seems to be a place for boasting. God goes on to say: “let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.

The key here is to redirect the glory away from ourselves and on to God. Paul makes it all very clear in 2 Corinthians 11 &12, “If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.”  “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness,” the Lord Jesus proclaims.

What if you were invited to a party of a lifetime, so lavish, so impressive, that everyone who knew you would be green with envy? Why him? What did he do to deserve such an honor. Maybe you have been asked but just don’t know it! The truth is, a priceless invitation has delivered by God Himself, not just to you but everyone on earth. Invited to what? To an eternity united with God for an indescribable life you never dreamed possible: the party of all parties!

Yes, whether you are aware of it or not, you’ve been invited. The question is, “Who’s listening?” Are you among those who genuinely seek the truth? And if so, are you asking the right questions? Just what is required of me to be included with those who will enjoy eternity in heaven? Jesus said it best in the Bible: “Many are called, but few are chosen.”

From: The Path through the Maze—Answering Life’s Ultimate Question: What Happens After We Die?

One rainy winter day, I noticed how dusty our houseplant was. So I set it outside to rinse it off a little. Not a bad idea—except that I forgot about bringing it in. The next morning, I was horrified to see the poor thing had lost all its leaves. Sheepishly, I put it right back in its favorite corner. Later, I was overjoyed to see hundreds of tiny shoots reappearing on its barren branches.

Right then, God spoke clearly to my heart: “This is what I’m doing to you!” I’d been going through some difficulties, so I immediately understood what God was saying. He’d been exposing me to extreme circumstances, using suffering so that fresh life could sprout. That lesson taught me to embrace trials whenever they come my way. They’re there for my good—to transform my character. For God, suffering is a much lesser evil than a mediocre heart.

From: Free from the Power of Sin: the Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself

God wants you! And He wants you to want Him. He desires the kind of relationship rooted in our need to be with Him. Can we survive spiritually in a halfhearted relationship with God? Sure we can. But merely going through the motions doesn’t carry a whole lot of weight with Him. Nobody likes indifference! What we do for God is important, certainly. But if our efforts are not coupled with intimacy, they have little value.

How can we alter our tendency toward doing stuff, as opposed to being what God wants? First recognize it as a problem. Ask God to change the motivation of your heart. He’ll answer that prayer! Then practice it! Few things succeed in life without a lot of practice. Granted, employing this discipline doesn’t come easily. What’s encouraging, though, is that reaching toward greater intimacy with God just naturally increases our appetite for it.

From Free from the Power of Sin: the Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself