Tag Archive for consecration

Passionate about His Father

2013-10-13 Devotional with Hymn No comments

What made Jesus so different from everyone else?
Why did He think differently?
Why did He act differently?
Why did He talk differently?

Jesus was different because of His relationship with His Father.
He single-mindedly focused on His Father and His Father’s concerns.
He wasn’t self-centered.
He didn’t care about money or career or reputation or social pressure.
He kept His mind and His heart always tuned to His Father’s voice.
He let His Father guide everything He said and everything He did.

No matter what sacrifice was required,
Jesus’ goal,
His prayer,
His passion
were always the Father’s will.

Listen…and sing if you want:
Hymn: Focus
Recording
Printed Music & Lyrics

I Want to Know You

2013-07-07 Devotional with Hymn No comments

I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. (Philippians 3:8, NIV)

My life is crowded with so many desires, so many goals, so many questions. But, Jesus, I’m realizing that I truly want only one thing:
          I want to know You.

All my ambitions and drives, my goals and dreams of glory, my preoccupation with my own comfort, I give them to You, Lord. I release them to You and cut the cord. Nothing else is worth holding onto. Nothing else is worth craving.
          I want to know You.

My eyes go to the future, my Lord, and I know that more storms are coming. What troubles await me in life? What does it matter? Whatever troubles come, they will bring new discoveries about You. They will bring a deeper, more personal knowledge of You, and a stronger faith that sees You more constantly and clearly.
          I want to know You.

My heart begins to leap at the possibility of being found always and entirely in You, with the baggage of self-interest forever buried and gone. Praise to You, my God! What a wonderful redemption that will be! My faith comes alive, knowing it will be. It is coming. You are doing it, and You always finish what You start. I know You now, Jesus, by Your goodness, and then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12, NIV).

Thank You, my Lord! Fill my heart now with the desire that will delight me throughout eternity:
       I want to know You. I want to know You, my Lord.

Listen…and sing if you want:
Hymn: Lord, Life Becomes More Simple
Recording
Printed Music & Lyrics

Catch Me Up in Your Work

2013-06-20 Devotional No comments

God,
I want to do something important–
important to You and
important to those You love.
Father,
it doesn’t have to feel important right now.

But I want to be
caught up in You and in Your work–
not what my interests
assume to be Your work,
or what I want to be Your work,
but what is Your work.
It doesn’t matter how small it seems,
or how overwhelming.

Lord, catch me up in the need,
not just in my own little task.
My efforts are partial and passing.
The need is bigger.
The need will go on.

Father,
I look to You.
Move me by Your Spirit.
Move me with Your heart today.
Catch me up in Your work.

House Churches

2013-06-04 Devotional One comment

Before elaborate organizations or church buildings, early-church Christians used private homes to gather for prayer, mutual encouragement, and a shared meal. Normal human dwellings, used for eating, sleeping, and relaxing, were turned into places of Christian fellowship. They became temples of God’s presence among believers.

According to one source, some of the oldest churches in Rome were built on sites where a house church once stood.

Having believers meet in your home would be a discomfort and a burden at times. But looking back, that discomfort is unimportant. In fact, those homes only gained lasting significance when they were dedicated to God and shared with others. Imagine all the beautiful, eternal good that was done over the years because simple Christians shared what they had.

The river of time washes away so much of what we leave behind. Future generations then receive what remains and apply what they can to their own life needs. Our present comfort or inconvenience will be insignificant to them. Were we well paid or poorly paid? Esteemed or unrecognized? It won’t matter. All that will matter is what we gave, not what we got.

Lord, take what is mine, what I grasp too tightly and fearfully, and make it Yours. What do I have that would be worth more if I shared it with others? I open my grip and release it to You. Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.

I Delight to Do Your Will

2013-05-30 Devotional No comments

I delight to do your will, O my God.
(Psalm 40:8, NASB)

Father, when You ask me to give up some comfort and
to willingly risk inconvenience:
I delight to do Your will, O my God.

No matter what the situation,
no matter what You are asking,
I know You.
I know Your ways are best.
I trust You, and
I anticipate the wonderful things You will do.
          I delight to do Your will, O my God.

When a period of time lies before me—
whether a day, a few hours, or a few minutes—
I will give it to You:
          I delight to do Your will, O my God.

Whenever You speak to me,
I will not be afraid.
I will answer:
          I delight to do Your will, O my God.

  Recent Entries »