Dependable Devotion

 Dependable Devotion

2 Corinthians 7: ¹² So, even though I wrote that letter, it was not because of the one who did wrong or the one who was wronged. Instead, I wrote it to make plain to you, in God's sight, how deep your devotion to us really is. ¹³ That is why we were encouraged.

 

Not only were we encouraged; how happy Titus made us with his happiness over the way in which all of you helped to cheer him up! ¹⁴ I did boast of you to him, and you have not disappointed me. We have always spoken the truth to you, and in the same way the boast we made to Titus has proved true. ¹⁵ And so his love for you grows stronger, as he remembers how all of you were ready to obey his instructions, how you welcomed him with fear and trembling. ¹⁶ How happy I am that I can depend on you completely!

 

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“Are you okay?” were the strange words from a guy from a church I had not attended in years. I can’t remember if I was okay or not. I was touched that he reached out to check on me after so many years. We caught up and I left the conversation encouraged.

 

• I can’t remember the trouble of that time but I remember the encouragement.
• I can’t remember what problem I was going through but I remember the devotion.
• I can’t remember if things were going well or wrong but I remember the dependability.

 

Paul seems very excited about those who prayed for him and sincerely wanted him to keep spreading the valuable word of JESUS’ resurrection. This group was so devoted, they treated Paul’s friend Titus with love.

 

My Observations

• GOD cares enough about me to send devoted people to me in my need.
• GOD sees the troubles I go through and sends dependable people to comfort me.
• GOD knows when I need encouragement and surrounds me with people who care about my servanthood to CHRIST.

 

Devotion to CHRIST is the love or enthusiasm shown to others because of HIM. I mean, many people are nice and there are causes that seem quite noble on the surface. BUT GOD has many people who are devoted to speak about HIS SON at a moments notice.

 

Their light is not hidden, rather it radiates in all they do. GOD has sent me many people who thoroughly bless me and others as they rise above complaints to provide encouragement. I am grateful for those who have been dependable and devoted to CHRIST. They taught me a lot.

 

Challenge

• Can you imagine a group of people who are always dependable to encourage you?
• What did the writer see in this crowd of people?
• Do you need encouragement but cannot see the dependable crowd?
• Will you be encouraged by this note and know you are special to GOD and HE sees you and loves you more than you know?

Devout Contrast

Devout Contrast

Acts 2: ⁵ And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. ⁷ Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? ⁸ And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? ⁹ Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, ¹¹ Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” ¹² So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”

¹³ Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

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Not as vested, I blew off another class. I mean the prior classes were boring and gave no vital information, or so I thought. When I decided to go to class, there was a pop quiz on what was discussed in the class I missed. I failed miserably.

• There have been times when I was not dedicated to what I was doing.
• There have been times when I decided not to listen to what was being said.
• There have been times when I have been present physically, but my mind was somewhere else.

People devoted to GOD from every nation, gathered in Jerusalem. Perhaps the news of JESUS healing the sick and performing other miracles brought them there. GOD spoke to those who were devoted to HIM and to those who were not. Only the devoted could hear the marvelous works of GOD. Others made fun of what they could not understand.

• GOD wants my devotion so I can hear HIM.
• GOD is excited to speak to me as long as I am willing to listen.
• GOD speaks to me with purpose in mind.

When GOD speaks, it is special. HE wants every nation to be saved and has plenty to say about this. Unfortunately when I am not devoted, I cannot hear what HE has to say. My worries and my concerns block out HIS message of purpose. BUT GOD still speaks every day. HE never gives up. I am glad HE cares for me and comes after me daily.

• Are you hearing GOD but are not listening?
• Do you mock those who hear from GOD?
• Will you stop trying to make GOD speak the way “you” want to hear HIM and devote yourself to HIM so you can hear what HE has to say?

Deep Devotion

Matthew 8: ¹⁸ When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. ¹⁹ Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

²⁰ Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

²¹ Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

²² But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

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After a long stent of being away, going to church was now a regular thing for me. I said “No” to more and more things that I used to do and say. I was finally getting my life back on track. When the sermon was about money, however, I did not want to hear it. “These preachers are always talking about money!” I thought to myself. “I already increased my giving from One dollar to Five dollars, what more do they want!?

• My thoughts of money have gotten in the way of my relationship with GOD.
• My thoughts of things have been a major problem with GOD.
• My thoughts of comfort have been a war between GOD’s servanthood and my desires.

JESUS had no worldly possessions, no money and no place to live. HE lived like this to show us that life is so much more than these things. Just because a human is alive does not make that person “deserving” of more stuff. HE wanted me to learn about following HIM.

• GOD wants me to follow HIM unimpeded so if I have “stuff” then HE wants me to put it second to HIM.
• GOD wants me to follow HIM without distraction so if my worries are on “stuff” coming or going then he wants me to change my thinking.
• GOD wants me to follow HIM with all my heart so if my heart is on “stuff” then HE wants me to ask for a clean heart which may mean losing my “stuff.”

Even in the example of “burying” the father, JESUS interjects “Let the dead bury their own dead.” I thought this was harsh at first. You mean leave the rotting corpse on the street? No, not quite. I believe JESUS was shortening the mourning period up for this person. Estate handling, amongst many other details could impede service for quite a while.

JESUS wants service to HIM now, not after I retire or after the business is up and running well or after I graduate eighty years from now. HE knows I can make excuses for not serving HIM and any excuse is nothing but an excuse. I can serve those around me wherever HE places me.

• Are you making excuses for not serving JESUS?
• Do you say “I have too many bills” or “I have to do this before I serve?”
• Can you stop making excuses and start serving CHRIST right where you are?
• Will you stop asking for stuff for just a moment and ask “Who would you like me to serve?”

Devotion

Ezra 7: ⁸ Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king. ⁹ He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him. ¹⁰ For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

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Looking back on many rough times I can see where GOD has had HIS hand on me. From bullies at my school to thugs robbing me to having no mentor or guide in college all the way to today, I can see GOD’s hand on me.

• GOD has HIS hand on me through very difficult times.
• GOD has HIS hand on me through extreme rough times.
• GOD has HIS hand on me through times I had no idea how I was going to escape.

Devotion is that drive that says “I will never give up.” Ezra was devoted to GOD and GOD is devoted to those who HIS SON has saved. GOD says to those “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

My devotion is faulty. I doubt, fear and worry BUT GOD’s devotion to me is solid. It is un-waving. It is like a tree planted by the water, it shall not be moved. GOD has devotion to me and it is up to me to be devoted to HIM.

• Are you devoted to GOD?
• When times are good do you find yourself dropping GOD off and picking HIM back up when times are bad?
• Can you devote a small portion of your life to GOD and keep adding more and more to HIM daily?

How to settle an argument

Romans 12: ⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

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Disagreements can happen with love but where do arguments fall? I mean when I argue with my family I feel no one wins.  After a while I can become so good at arguing that the point of companionship is missed. Am I missing something?

• It’s alright to disagree but I lose when “I win.”
• It’s alright to have a different opinion but when my opinion overshadows my relationship I lose.
• It’s alright to get upset at times but when my anger is directed at the people I’m supposed to love nobody wins.

“Love must be sincere” is a statement that just eats at my stony heart. I mean what about “me?” Don’t I have a say in the argument? Well GOD says a lot about how to handle disagreements.

• GOD tells me to “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” so I have to examine myself.
• GOD says to me “Be devoted to one another in love” which causes me to pick and choose my battles.
• GOD tells me to “Honor one another above yourselves” so I have to learn another person’s way.
• GOD says to me “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the LORD.”
• GOD tell me to be patient, faithful, prayerful, generous and hospitable so I will be too busy acting like HIM to even notice the dispute.

This is a difficult list for me to follow. I get cranky, selfish and argumentative. GOD says “Take it a day at a time and watch MY results.”

• Are you at odds with someone?
• Does it seem like your relationship is disintegrating?
• Can you follow what GOD is telling you to do?
• Won’t you try at least one thing HE is telling you?