Blog Entries tagged 'commitment'

Sweet and Sour

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Whether you teach a Sunday School class or you're the next Mother Theresa, there are challenges that we all face in following in Jesus' footsteps.

Revelation 10:1-11

Reference: v.9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey." (NIV Bible)

Explore: My heart is filled with so much joy when I feel close to God. Every time a prayer is answered or I see God move beyond my expectations I am just filled with so much love and praise. However, our Christian walk is not always an easy task. Along with times of praise and thanksgiving also come sacrifice, discipline and, the hardest of all, forgiveness. Whether you teach a Sunday School class or you're the next Mother Theresa, there are challenges that we all face in following in Jesus' footsteps. Often when we hear sermons or evangelistic messages we only hear the bright side of our faith. We get this picture that if we follow Jesus then everything will be smooth sailing. However, I wouldn't exactly say that Jesus' life was smooth sailing, so I'm not sure where we're getting this picture from. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm dedicated to my faith no matter what my journey throws at me, but it doesn't mean that it's always easy.

Application: When John received a scroll in his vision it tasted sweet to the mouth but sour to his stomach. This is often the case when we receive a calling from God. To begin with we are dedicated and excited that God would choose us for such a mission but as time goes along and we start to hit monotony or hurdles come our way, our excitement can turn to discouragement. This is not to say that we are no longer following God's plan for our lives. Just because things get difficult does not mean we have taken the wrong journey. It's times like this that bring the opportunity for evaluation and dedication. No matter what path we take God promises to be with us. Unfortunately He doesn't promise that the path will be smooth (or sweet), but He will never abandon us along the way.

Prayer: Lord, give us the strength to hang in there when the journey gets long and tough. May we rely on You for all our needs. Amen.

What has your faith journey been like lately?

Relationship Myths

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Even though divorce rates are high and adultery is prevalent, people still have this misconception that once you walk down the aisle your relationship with your partner will always be loving and wonderful.

2 Peter 2:1-22

Reference: v.22 Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and , "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud." (NIV Bible)

Explore: I'm not sure how this happened but there's a false understanding that once you get married everything will be okay. Even though divorce rates are high and adultery is prevalent, people still have this misconception that once you walk down the aisle your relationship with your partner will always be loving and wonderful. The reality is, every relationship needs to be worked on. It's always heartwarming to hear people make a life-time commitment to each other however the truth of those words are tested when life gets demanding, stressful, mundane or a crisis hits. To think that two people are going to live in the bliss of a wedding day for the rest of their lives is absurd - and anyone who is married will no doubt agree.

Application: Just like the false understanding of marriages, there is also a false understanding about being a disciple of Jesus. There seems to be a misconception that as soon as you accept Jesus in to your heart a super shield will cover you so that nothing wrong will ever happen; your life with Christ will always be smooth and happy and challenges will never come your way. Yes, we live in the freedom that Jesus has paid the price for all our wrongdoing and that through Him we have hope in His never-ending grace and love, but challenges still come our way. Just like there is divorce rate and adultery in marriages there is also declining church attendance and back sliding in Christianity. Therefore, just like in our marriages, we also need to work on our relationship with God. It's great to rejoice when we hear people make a life-time commitment to God however the truth of those words are tested when life gets demanding, stressful, mundane or a crisis hits. It can be challenging to maintain a strong relationship with God, however if we hold on to Him through the crisis and stay disciplined when life gets mundane then the rewards can be truly uplifting.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for not staying faithful to You at all times. May we have the perseverance to stay committed to our relationships, especially during times of trial. Amen.

How are you traveling in your relationship with God?

Gold Cross Necklace

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

As my denomination does not have any particular uniform or official garb, this was a nice gift that my parents thought I could wear when I am carrying out my formal duties.

Genesis 28:1-22

Reference: v.18 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. (NIV Bible)

Explore: When I was ordained as a minister my parents gave me a celebration gift. It was a small gold cross that i could hang on a necklace. As my denomination does not have any particular uniform or official garb, this was a nice gift that my parents thought I could wear when I am carrying out my formal duties. A few years down the track I find myself putting on my gold cross necklace every single day. It reminds me of many things: my parents, my ordination, my commitment to ministry but most of all that every day I am carrying out 'formal duties' for God. I do not hang up my cross on particular days but I am always being a representative for Christ in my home, in my work place and in my local shopping centre.

Application: Jacob had a God experience at Bethel and so he set up a pillar with his stone-pillow on top as a reminder of God's promise to him and his promise back to God. While we must never make objects the idol we worship, it is often helpful for us to have visual reminders of our commitment to God and God's commitment to us. It could be a bookmark in your Bible, a small group outline on your fridge, or a special object on your bedside table. And then each and every day you can be reminded of the great love God has for you and be prompted to live for God in the day ahead.

Prayer: Lord, You never forget us. You are with us always. May we not forget to look to You each and every day. Amen.

Do you have a special object that reminds you of your commitment to God and his love for you?

Reminders

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:00:00 +0100

Although it is unlikely that I will forget that I am married to Cameron, my wedding ring is a reminder of the commitment we made on that day.

Genesis 9:1-29

Reference: v.13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. (NIV Bible)

Explore: My husband and I got married nearly seven years ago. On our wedding day we exchanged rings as a symbol of our commitment to each other. We decided that seeing our commitment was to be to each other that we would have the same style wedding band. Sure enough, mine is a little smaller than Cam's but they are the same design, colour and style. (Luckily for Cam I didn't want anything too flowery and pretty!) On the inside of our rings we both have the inscription 'Come What May' engraved as this was the song we walked down the aisle to. Although it is unlikely that I will forget that I am married to Cameron, my wedding ring is a reminder of the commitment we made on that day.

Application: God has given us reminders of His love and commitment too. The rainbow is a reminder that He will never flood the earth again, and thus he sent Jesus to redeem us instead of wiping us out again. While this reminder looks beautiful in the sky after rain, it is made all the more beautiful when we know of the promise behind it.

Prayer: Lord, we could never thank you enough for your promises and your commitment to us. We are truly humbled by your mercy and grace. Amen.

What are important reminders for you? What reminders can we put in our lives to reflect daily on God's love?

Aggressive Commitment

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:00:00 +0100

There are times when you are so committed to your work that you are willing to fight for it.

Nehemiah 4:1-23

Reference: v.17b Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other. (NIV Bible

Explore: I would not describe myself as an aggressive person. The other day I was filling out a 'Strengths questionnaire'. For each question there were four statements listed and I had to choose the one statement which was most like me and the another which was least like me. I found the task quite challenging, particularly when one of the statements read "Assertive, aggressive." Now, on the one hand I would definitely say I am assertive however I would not consider myself very aggressive at all. Do I put this statement as my 'most like' or 'least like' characteristic?? Thankfully it was not a million dollar question so my answer was not crucial. However, as I was reading this passage in Nehemiah I found it quite confronting that the people had to carry their weapons even as they worked in case someone attacked them. These were laborers and tradesmen who were assertive enough to come and contribute to the building of the wall. Did they want to refrain from helping because they weren't the aggressive type? Did they question the occupational health and safety scheme if they were carrying tools as well as weapons?

Application: I guess there are times when you are so committed to your work that you are willing to fight for it. Even if you are not aggressive you are prepared to defend your work. We can be defensive of our own lives, even though we may never pick up a weapon. At times we can make faith decisions that may not make sense to other people. We hold-fast and defend these choices because of an eternal significance, rather than any present advantage. I may not be aggressive but I am willing to stand firm in my faith and defend the choices I have made to live a more Christ-like life.

Prayer: Lord, your death on the cross is a reminder of how far you will go for humanity. May we be as committed to our faith in proclaiming you as Lord. Amen.

When have you felt that you've had to defend yourself and your position?