You don’t impress me much!

Hi all! Hope this finds you all well. I entitled this verse "you don't impress me much", cause that is basically how this verse was stated in the "Message". If you don't have that version of the bible...get it! It's been so inspiring!  Have any of you ever gotten hit in the head with  baseball coming at you at full speed?  I know what you are thinking! That is not what is wrong with me!(-: But, even if you have not you can imagine how that would hurt...umm...really bad!!! Well, sometimes when I read the word and when God convicts me that is how I feel..like I got hit in the head with a baseball. I am sure you have felt the same before. His word convicts and brings to light all we really are and the motives of our heart come pouring out! I guess that is what God means by refining us in the "fire" It hurts, but like any piece of gold refined in fire..it comes out beautiful..so that is the idea here!  Here is what I read this morning in the Message " Knowing the correct password-saying master, master, for instance-isn't going to get you anywhere. What is required is serious obedience-doing what my Father wills. I can see it now-at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, Master we preached the message, we bashed the demons, our God sponsored projects had everyone talking. And do you know what I am going to say? You missed the boat! All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. Your out of here." Matthew7:21-23 Wow...if that does not hit hard, I don't know what does! How manytimes have I used God to make me look good instead of using my life to make him look good?? Too many times I am sure! In christianity today the two run too closely together and so often we do it without realizing. I know I do! We do things "In God's Name", but is it because we want somthing out of the deal or to be recognized or is it purely for God to be honored. I asked God today...do you know me well? When I meet you face to face will you say you knew me well, or did I just claim to know you? Of course I do love the Lord and desire to do his will and I certainly want him to say well done good and faithful one, as I am sure  you all do. But, it is something we should keep a daily check on. Davids prayer was "Search me oh God and know my heart." That is my daily prayer..that God would test my motives and my heart. We even decieve our selves! So, today lets say, what can we do for you oh Lord instead of what can I do for myself. "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:11 Hope you all are encouraged and refined today! Love ya lots! Kim (-: