Wednesday’s Word – Committed
For the past weeks our church has listened to a sermon series called “All In”.
I have been asking myself, am I all in? What does that mean? Of course, as I pray God starts to give me answers.
All in = Commitment
But to whom? – Jesus, of course. A few key passages have recurred a number of times this week.
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8, NIV).“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith”(Hebrews 12:2, NIV).
Both of these passages tell me to be committed to God. I know when I do this, then I will be ready to follow and obey Him when He speaks.
“If we are going to be ready for Jesus Christ, we have to stop being religious” (Oswald Chambers, March 29). [This is a great devotional – I hope you click on it and read the whole thing.]
Now this made me start thinking more – telling me to stop using religion as a lofty lifestyle and get REAL.
Release
Everything to God
And
Live
When people watch us as we are – our warts, scales and scabs – they will see that it is only God who works in us to give us peace and strength.
“Our world is not seeing God because we are not attempting anything that only God can do” (Experiencing God Workbook, page 143, Henry Blackaby).
So as I become REAL, I can plant seeds in people and then God will grow their faith. As the world watches God at work, He can attract people to Himself. How can we do this? By being totally committed to God.
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (1 Chronicles 16:9, NIV). [my emphasis]
How committed to Jesus are you?
Are you doing for God or are you living for Him? Tweet this.
Get REAL. Get COMMITTED. Be all in.
Here is the video of “All the Staff of my church jumping in the pool … cold”.
And the song that comes to my mind is I’m Keeping My Eyes on Jesus. I taught this at our Sunday School back in Canada.
Each Wednesday we hold a Wednesday’s Word Community. Please check the rules of Wednesday’s Word if you are here for the first time. Feel free to add your link below about God’s Word. And I love comments. This week I will be leaving this open for 2 weeks. Please continue to add your posts.
Hi Janis,
Praying with you that my heart would be fully committed to Him…yes, for the grace to do that…blessings to you 🙂
This reminds me of a favorite quote by A.W. Tozer, I used to have it on my mirror.
“God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible, what a pity we plan only the things we can do ourselves.” (I think I need to put it back up)
God’s amazing power and glory are seen all the more real when it shines through our imperfect hands and circumstances. 🙂
This is a great reminder for us all Janis and I thank you for sharing it.
Oh Heather,
Just love that quote – I am going to write that down. And yes I would tweet what you just wrote: God’s amazing power and glory are seen all the more real when it shines through our imperfect hands and circumstances. AMEN>
Many blessings,
Janis
So true, Janis! “Doing” for God reflects works, which are empty if done in our own strength or from a sense of obligation. He we yield to the spirit, He can live through us, empowering us by His grace. Thanks for the great post & for hosting & God bless!
Laurie,
Thanks for the affirmation. I believe the yielding to the Holy Spirit is the operative word here – right? We can’t “work” our way to God.
Sorry your comment went into spam? no idea why?
Blessings to you too,
Janis
I agree with what you say here and with Oswald Chambers, (March 29). Many people practice their religion and feel they are satisfying the “requirements” of God and their religion. They don’t realize “that it is only God who works in us to give us peace and strength.” Through their religion they may be able to learn how to be “committed” to God and “ready to follow and obey Him when He speaks.”
Do you really think just through “religion” they can learn how to be committed to God, and learn to follow Him without the close connection to Jesus?
No, but religion can help. What I think is that if someone will let God and Jesus into their heart, whatever path they take, and they can feel the power of love and the Holy Spirit it will become natural to accept a commintment to God and a joy to do His Work.
Jim,
Certainly the church is there to help us find our way to Jesus. I think Oswald is talking about “acting” religious – and doing “religion” to be seen, just like the Pharisees did. Jesus asks His church to be a part of Him. And to do that the church must know Jesus, crucified and risen.
Blessings,
Janis