[John 15:9]
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
:: Devotion
Do you love Jesus? Devotion comes down to the simple: when we love someone we want to spend time with them. We value them by making our time with them a priority in our day. Jesus beckons us to show love to Him by abiding and obeying. He knows that our time here in this life is not without its trials, and it is a fact that we will experience difficulties and hardship. Isn’t it comforting to know that your Savior is sojourning with you? That whatever you face, you can believe that He is enduring it along side you and will uphold you through it? When we abide in Him we find strength to persevere, because He will provide the grace we need in each moment. When you demonstrate your love to Jesus by getting to know Him, and allowing His word to grow in your heart, you will want to obey Him. You will realize that friendship with this world is not where true peace is found, and your desires for your life here will change.
Be devoted to Him who gave you everything, so that you can know fullness of life in relationship with the One who truly loves you. The greatest, most satisfying gift you will ever receive.
:: Prayer
Almighty LORD, You are the greatest gift I will ever receive. How blessed am I that you willingly invite me to live in You. When I stop and meditate on Your love for me I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Praise You, O LORD, who art my refuge, my joy, my abiding home! Only in You will I find my strength and my security, and a willing heart to obey. Amen.
[John 4:34]
"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
:: Devotion
When will we realize that to find pure satisfaction in this life is to listen to God speaking to us and to do as He directs us? Why is it that we so easily follow after the endless plague of worldly pursuits, but are so reluctant to follow after and believe that our greatest fulfillment will come only when we trust God, do what His Word tells us, and cease worrying about trying to make it on our own?
Do you really believe that the material possessions of the world is your reward for existing, and what this life is all about? Are you truly demonstrating what you profess to believe in your heart, when you are continually striving to make a name for yourself, instead of orchestrating your motivations with Christ’s desires in mind? Jesus laid aside his will, and chose a life of obedience to His Father. He was God in flesh, and was flesh, suffering all the same temptations we in the flesh, face every day. But He chose not to give up God’s plan, to satisfy that flesh nature. He was without sin, and His mind was the mind of God. Are you truly devoted to God and do you desire to live as He has called you?
His ways and thoughts are greater than yours, and He has the path laid out already for you. Will you demonstrate that your devotion lies in doing His will, knowing that He has you covered, and will provide all the food you need?
:: Prayer
My God, help me to show my devotion to You by adopting the mind of Christ and pursing Your will, aside from my own. When I strive after my own plan I am left empty and hungry. Help me to believe that You provide the true manna, and will satisfy every emptiness and longing within me. May You, O God, be glorified in all of my pursuits. May I continually seek to hear You and to accomplish what Your will is. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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.
:: Devotion
To mention that Jesus took time out to pray is a significant example for us to imitate, if we are going to be transformed into Christ-likeness. If you claim to love God and have a desire for His Holy Spirit to change you, it is vital that you spend time in prayer, not just making requests of God, but getting to know Him. When we are devoted to someone we want to be with them, know them, and love them. Jesus opened the door to us to fellowship with the Father. As He exemplified, we need to condition ourselves to get alone each day in solitary communication with God. We can’t grow in relationship with someone if we are not striving to know them by spending time with them. God has always spoken to His people, and He is still speaking to us today. Will you devote yourself to Him, by spending time alone with Him, worshiping Him in prayer, and learning about who He is? Your Heavenly Father is beckoning to you to come spend time with Him.
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."(Psalm 46:10)
:: Prayer
Father, I long to be in Your presence, to sit at Your feet, and to hear in the magnificent stillness the whisper of Your Spirit speaking to me. I confess, I have elevated my plans above yours, and allowed the distractions of life to direct my day. I did not guard my time with you as precious and holy- a time to be honored and protected. Help me today, to value that which is truly important- knowing and spending time with You. For I know that one day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Matthew 10:32
"Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven...”
:: Devotion
“With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.” (Romans 10:10)
God desires that our hearts be true to Him. Have you given your loyalty, your love to the One who is able to acknowledge you before the Father? Who sits at His right hand and presents you as righteous, spotless, and clean? Have you confessed Him in your heart and openly before men? True devotion to God means we are not afraid to stand firm for the One we are devoted to, and we do not live in fear of man’s approval or condemnation. Have you thought about your testimony, and how you present yourself to the world in light of what you believe? Do you try to hide your faith? The Word tells us that we are to “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready...to give account of the hope in you...” (1Peter 3:15) The greatest commandment we are given is to love the LORD with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Are you willing to confess this love, and to devote yourself to it?
God did not give us a spirit of timidity or shame, but of boldness, without fear. Live to be free in Christ Jesus and do not be ashamed at the testimony He’s given you. You are a work in process to bring about His glory.
:: Prayer
Holy Father, Your word challenges me at my core. Who am I devoted to? Who do I fear most? Do I live daily in awe and reverence for You? God you know the path I have traveled and the one You have marked out for me. Change my heart today to live truly devoted to the One who loves me. Guide me in Your holiness. Give me opportunities to honor You by testifying to others of my faith, Your faithfulness, and the belief I have in Your Kingdom. Amen.
[John 10:14]
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
:: Devotion
A shepherd does all he can to protect the flock in his care. He keeps them from predators, feeds them, shelters them, cares for them, and guides them. The sheep in return know the voice of their shepherd. They know who to go to to be cared for. The “Good Shepherd,” knows His sheep- those who are truly devoted to Him as He is to them. Do you know your shepherd? Would you hear His voice if He called to you? Be devoted to the One who can protect you from “the wolf.” Who has laid down His life for you, and is unwavering in His love for you. Take comfort that as a member of His flock He will know you, care for your needs, and guide you where you need to go. Trust Him. Reign in your heart to pursue the True Shepherd, and don’t waste your efforts following after the “hired” thing, which will only lead you to be scattered. Set your heart and your mind on Jesus and faithfully devote yourself and your life to His leading.
:: Prayer
Father, You are the Shepherd of my life. You willingly laid down Your life for me and no matter how hard I try, I can never comprehend that kind of love. I thank You that I am not lost, alone in the wilderness, but I have a Protector, a Refuge, and a Guide over me. One who cares for my well-being and is unwavering in His devotion toward me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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