Day 26: 50 Days All In

An acquaintance is someone you know and may see on occasion. You know something about them but not a whole lot. Might even bump into them once a week and carry on some small talk, then go on your way never really thinking twice about it. Does this describe your relationship with God? Bump into him every Sunday, have some chit chat then go on your way? Not really thinking much more about him after that? If we truly desire an all in relationship our interaction with God must go further then that of an acquaintance.

 

 

“You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.”

John 15:14-15 NLT

Do you feel that God doesn’t really care about you? Maybe he is off doing godly things and is distracted from what is happening to you? Well that is a lie from the enemy. Jesus himself in these two verses cemented it by repeating himself. ” you are my friends” he didn’t just say it once, he said it twice because it is important to remember. A true friend will be there for their friend 24/7. Ready to help at a moment notice. Always there to talk, give advice and assistance. Someone who relates when your hurting, excited, depressed and joyed. Not afraid to give you correction when you are going down the wrong path of life. Never judging you, always quick to forgive. Jesus is that kind of friend.

 

We can’t think of Jesus as we do an earthly friend who will leave us, turn their backs on us and let us down. He promised to have our backs if we will commit all in the bond of friendship will lead us to a place of joy, peace and hope.

 

So who is God to you? True friend or acquaintance? If he is an acquaintance, it isn’t too late to start a bond with God that will pour over into eternity. Don’t delay and start a friendship with him today.

Jesus, so many of us treat you as an acquaintance and we apologize for this. We have made the church a hang out almost like any other club. Help us to show people that an all in relationship with you is like a friend who is closer than a brother. Thank you for loving us so much that you died for us. Help us to show others this love, because they matter to you, so they should matter to me. Amen

 

 

 

 

Day 1: 50 Days All In

We welcome in a New Year and a milestone in many lives where we make a conscious decision to change who we are. A high majority of these resolutions to change will last a month or two before they trickle off and the normal life resumes.

I had the opportunity to speak at my church for the last Sunday of the year, I spoke of being All In, Loving God with all we are. For the next 50 Days, I will work to provide some ways we can love God with All our Hearts, Minds, Souls and Strength.

 
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.

 My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

 

Psalm 73:25-26

 

From reading this Psalm we can see that this writer, was striving to be all in with his relationship with God. All throughout the bible we see men and woman are seen who are working towards a relationship with the heavenly Father. Some miss out either due to temptation or stubbornness. Many return after they walk away, some do not.

 

When you consider where you are in your relationship with God would you say you are all in? Could you honestly take the Psalm we read today and make it your prayer?

 

To love God with All we are is not to lose our identity but to embrace our identity in who he is. Giving him all we are lets him use us to our fullest. If we want to become effective in ministering to others with love and compassion would we not be more effective if we are working with the creator of these attributes?

 

So, as we continue into this New Year, will you join me as we work together to go All in?

 

Father, thank you for all you have done for me. You have sent your Son to die so we can live. We love you and want to love you with all our hearts, minds, soul and strength. Although we may fail, we pray you will forgive us as we get back up and move forward in our faith. Use us to reach the world around us, our neighbors and loved ones. We want to see lives changed around us, miracles and wonders that will open the eyes of those who are hurting. Let this new year reflect who you are and your love for this world. Amen

 

How can we pray for you?