Tag: wholehearted

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All In

Daily Reading

Revelation 1-3

Daily Thought

Jim was a high school senior, a nice kid who decided to ask the most popular girl in the school to Prom. He wasn’t sure, however, she knew who he was. Undeterred, he picked up the phone, “Hi Shari, this is Jim.” It was silent for a moment. “I sit behind you in History.” She remembered. “Would you like to go to Senior Prom?” Silence. “With me?” he added. More silence. Then, finally, “Sure, why not.” The most popular girl said she would go.

But that wasn’t good enough, and Jim knew it. “I’m sorry Shari,” Jim insisted, “‘Sure, why not,’ won’t do. It has to be either, ‘Jim, I want nothing more than to be your date to Senior Prom,’ or ‘Jim, you’re the last person on earth I’d want to be seen with.’”

Jesus said to the church at Laodicea, “Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16). “Sure, why not,” won’t do.

It was silent again. A longer silence. And then, “Jim, I want nothing more than to be your date to Senior Prom.” 

They had a fabulous evening.

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” ~John 10:10

Jesus is standing at the door of our heart, knocking, and think about how we respond. In the first place, he’s not some nice kid, he is “the Alpha and the Omega, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8). “Sure, why not,” won’t do. But open the door and let him in, all in, and it is time for a banquet.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” ~Revelation 3:20

Daily Prayer

Jesus, since You are all in for me, ought not I be all in for You! You are worth my everything and more. All that I have is from You and for You.

Forgive me for and protect me from my half-hearted efforts. I want You to be with me in everything in my life, and I want everything in my life to point to You and give You pleasure. You are my God, Lord, and Savior. And my friend. I want nothing more than to be with You.

Amen

Daily Question

Would you describe the life you live as abundant? Why or why not?

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But

Daily Reading

2Chronicles 25-27

Daily Thought

It is sad when you hear something good, then it’s followed by a “but.” Three chapters, three kings in a row, each began well, “but.” King Joash “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest (2Chronicles 24:2), but then Jehoiada died, “and they abandoned the house of the Lord” (2Chronicles 24:18). King Amaziah, “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet (same as a “but”) not with a whole heart” (2Chronicles 25:2). 

The third one is King Uzziah who “set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah” (2Chronicles 26:5). Zechariah instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as Uzziah sought the Lord, he prospered. Uzziah’s name means “My strength is the Lord,” and from that strength came success. Enemies were conquered, the army grew strong, the walls of the city were fortified, the land was replenished and the people were well fed. Uzziah’s name became famous among the nations, “but (there’s that word) when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction” (2Chronicles 26:16). Uzziah’s strength became himself and his name lost its meaning. 

Humanity’s first sin is pride, to be like God, without first knowing what God is like. Jesus Christ, the King of kings, “being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped; rather, he made himself nothing” (Philippians 2:6-7). Jesus chose the path of humility. He said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). And when faced with the ultimate cross, Jesus said, “Not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). That’s where your “but” belongs.

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, may I be a reflection of You in this world, which means may I live like Jesus. In humility, I will serve others, considering them before myself. Keep reminding me that You are my strength. I too easily forget. Restore me, O God, when I fail, but even more, guard my heart when I succeed.

When I reflect on Your wonder and glory, I love better. The terrible temptation of pride is overcome by worship because I remember my Creator. May all that I do lift people’s eyes toward You, that You may be praised by all.

Amen

Daily Question

The greatest commandment is “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27). Do you?

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A Peanut Butter and Chocolate Milkshake

Daily Reading

1Chronicles 28-2Chronicles 1

Daily Thought

David left his son Solomon with much silver and gold, but true wealth came in his words, “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought” (1Chronicles 28:9).

Once, when I was on a diet, I passed by Leatherby’s Family Creamery, an ice cream parlor second to none. I succumbed to my favorite, a peanut butter and chocolate milkshake, ordered it and brought it home. Realizing I could not drink the shake and keep the diet, I put the shake in the freezer, got on my knees, and prayed, “God, keep me from drinking the shake.” This was a double-minded prayer. If I did not want the shake, it should be in the disposal, not the freezer. Later, I drank the shake.

You cannot follow God, serve him wholeheartedly, and be double-minded. When Solomon became king, God offered Solomon whatever he wanted, “In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, ‘Ask what I shall give you’” (2Chronicles 1:7). Solomon spurned riches and honor and asked for wisdom. Wealth and power would make him a mighty king, but wisdom would make him a good king, a godly king. God granted Solomon wisdom and knowledge, and then gave him riches and possessions and honor, as well.

Why did God give him riches, too? Isn’t that like keeping the milkshake in the freezer?

No, it means that Leatherby’s is still in town and an ice cream shop is good for the town, but it is not good for my diet. God gave Solomon a challenge that would test and could strengthen his wisdom, would riches and possessions and honor serve God and God’s kingdom or would they make the king fat.

Solomon would be a great king, but not fully, not with his whole heart. He would drink the world’s riches of wealth and wine and women. At the end of his life, Solomon reflected, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. The full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep” (Ecclesiastes 5:10, 12).

Daily Prayer

My God, my Lord, my Savior, I will serve and follow You fully, keeping my eyes on You, focused on the prize, a glorious day to come when I might hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” You are what is good in life and I long to be godly. I will guard my heart against distractions. Strengthen my will and give me wisdom to choose well.

God, You are the center of my life, and all else revolves around You. You are first in everything. I trust my life to You, knowing that my life will only be great when it is first good and godly. This is my resolve. I pray this will be my actions, as well.

Amen