Fully Devoted Life
OPENING PRAYER:
: Heavenly Father, I pray my life will reflect your love, your generosity, your service. Make me a little more like Jesus every day. Amen
“As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Matthew 10:7-8 (NIV)
REFLECT:
Our life’s desires reveal a lot about who we are in Christ. It is easy to get caught up in society and the empty goals this world has to offer. Since our thoughts feed who we are, we must “cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:5.
Like Jesus, when we have a fully devoted life, we live our life as he did, ‘being about our father’s business.’ Satan is very interested in what we put into our lives and the devotion we direct to the Lord. All the enemy really wants is our time. His success is determined by how much time he can get us to spend on nothing.
APPLY:
Will we give our life to seeking pleasure, empty goals, worldly treasures, admiration, or seeking God? It is only in his will that we will find a life of purpose and joy. A devoted life is a worshipful life. It is an expression of our faith and trust in Jesus, of his presence and the evidence of his lordship in our life journey. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 (NIV)
Let’s make a deliberate choice to devote our lives to God and share the gospel of Christ by our love, our generosity, and our service to others. When we live in his will, he will guide us to others who need Jesus. We will find opportunities and challenges that will make us stronger and more mature. Let God use our lives as a beacon, shining his light to those around us and leading them to Jesus.
In the Maranatha! Music song, “Freely”, "Freely, freely you have received. Freely, freely give. Go in my name, and because you believe. Others will know that I live.”
CLOSING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father; I pray for your will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Lead me into a life fully devoted to you and teach me how to freely give the gospel to others. Amen