September 3 | Week 1: Grace and Devotion
Whole-Hearted Devotion in the Greatest Commandment
Matthew 22:37-38
Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.
1. How much of you does Jesus ask for? Heart, soul, and what else? What does that look like?
Jesus asks for all of me. He asks me to love with all my mind. To love God with all my mind means a lot of things. I would gather that it means more than I even understand. In my effort to understand I would say intentionality, investment, self-denial, planning, vision and dreams for him and in his name, and much more. Additonally, It would mean a spirit of genuine obedience, sincerity, truthfulness, and devotion. Lastly, I would add that someone in love (of any kind) finds joy and exhudes a gratitude.
Whole – Not Just Part!
2. What does it mean to love God with all of something, and not just part of it?
To love God with “all” of something means integrity. There is nothing withheld either in confession or in actions. If I am going to love God with all my heart, then it means keeping my heart pure all the time and guarding it all the time. (Proverbs 4:23) Also, if I “love God” with “all my soul” but don’t bother to worship on Sunday or pray striving for depth like Jesus, I’m out of touch with this kind of love. (Hebrews 5:7) My soul is apparently one source of vision/dreams and yet an aspect by which I obey God. (See Deuteronomy 10:12, Deuteronomy 11:13, Deuteronomy 13:13, and many others)
Whole-Hearted Devotion as a living sacrifice
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1. What does God want you to offer him? How much of you?
My God wants me to offer my body as a living sacrifice. Therefore, it is not a “human sacrifice” as I am still “living.” Instead, it defines what I do with all the parts of my body. In view of God’s mercy, what am I going to use my hands for? Often, I will lift my hands up in front of me and look at them and I will ask myself, “what am I going to do with these today that is pleasing to God?” What will I do with my eyes and ears and will it be holy and pleasing to God? Will I ensure my mind itself serves God? Lastly, where will I have my feet take me today, and will it be for God in the “pattern of this world?”
Don’t Crawl Off The Altar!
2. A living sacrifice can crawl off the altar. Where do you find yourself pulling parts of your life back from God?
I see myself investing too much of my mind, eyes, and ears into worldly entertainment. I need to track how much time I waste on my phone or social media in general. Also, I must reel in my emotions and be teperate (*not* given to anger). Lastly, It is vital I get back to denying my self and prioritizing leading our family spiritually and giving my *best* to my *first* ministry. To clarify, this means well-thought out and prayed through family devotionals, prayers together, discipling time(s) with Amy and with our kids.
Anything Less…will make Jesus Sick
Revelation 3:15-16
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
1. How does Jesus feel about lukewarm faith?
Lukewarm faith makes Jesus sick to his stomach. The word here for “spit” is ἐμέω/emeō and means “to vomit, vomit forth, throw up.” In fact, other translations of the bible say “vomit.” For example, the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) says “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth.” Additonally, the New American Standard Bible renders the passage as “‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth.'” Personally, I like these versions that capture Jesus’ disgust in this way.
I would hate to make Jesus sick. What a sobering thought! Imagine making the Lord of Glory have to say, “son…you make me want to puke.” Honestly, I know I have been lukewarm at times. Because of that, I am deeply grateful for this verse because it helps me see the dead-seriousness of this and how urgent I must be to repent and repair my relationship with Jesus. I thank God for hard-line preaching, direct and challenging discipling, and for God’s grace through it all. (Revelation 3:18-21)
Hot, Cold, Lukewarm
2. Be honest. Are you hot, cold, or lukewarm right now? What made you that way?
I’d say “not hot enough!” I’ve been distracted and I must reign-in what is actually “important” versus “urgent.” A lack of clarity, focus, and consistent commitment is what “makes me this way.” I also believe I can get “hurt” and not realize it, and so the temptation is to pull-back. This is wicked, as I can’t focus on what I might receive, but instead, what I have already been given!
APPLICATION: Name one area you have been keeping for yourself. Give it to him fully today in prayer, out loud, and tell a brother or sister so they can help you keep it on the altar.
I need to sacrifice my morning and invest a lot more in my prayer life. I want to be more intentional in my prayer life especially!
