LIMITED BY MY EFFORT AND FAITH
One of the unfortunate aspects for us as Christians is that we, sometimes, do less than expected by God. For example:
▪ God said, “Bring your tithe (10% of your income) to the storehouse (temple/church). We, sometimes, give God less than 10%.
▪ God said, “Love your enemies.” We, sometimes, hate and fight with our enemies.
▪ God said, “Pray without ceasing.” We, sometimes, pray when we are in trouble and/or need something from God.
▪ God said, “Meditate on My word day and night.” We, sometimes, skip a few days in between readings.
God makes it very clear what His expectations are. We, sometimes, respond with less. The primary problem with us doing less than God expects is the reality that we will receive less than we desire.

Think about what we desire from God:
▪ We desire God to give us His best; give us His greatest; give us His largest; give us His fanciest; give us His most expensive; give us His all.
▪ In our prayers, we ask God to bless our families; bless our finances; bless our employment; bless our ministries; bless our neighborhoods; bless us.
▪ We desire for God to protect us; provide for us; promote us; prepare us.
▪ We desire God’s love; God’s grace; God’s mercy; God’s peace; God’s favor; God’s presence; God’s forgiveness; God’s patience; God.

WE DESIRE FROM GOD MAXIMUM BLESSINGS

Think about what we give to God:
▪ We do not exert the effort consistent with our desire.
▪ We do just enough to get by
▪ We do just enough to check the box
▪ We do just enough to get it signed off
▪ We do just enough to get the credit
▪ We do just enough to take the selfie

WE GIVE TO GOD MINIMUM EFFORT

Perhaps, the reason why I am not receiving maximum blessings is because I am only giving minimum effort. The limitation is in the effort that I am willing to exert to be faithful to God’s commands not in the capacity that God has to bless. Do I have the faith to envision the blessing that God has for me, and the willingness to exert the effort to faithfully fulfill God’s commands?