Day 24: All In

When we become Christians we take on the name Christ. If we use our handle of Christians ” in vain” or inappropriately then we effectively misuse the name of the Lord. To desire an all in relationship we need to respect His name that is bestowed upon us, we are the children of God. How many people in this world today call themselves Christians yet have no relationship with Jesus?

 

“You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.”

Exodus 20:7 NLT

When you read this verse you probably like me go right to thinking of people using the phrase “oh my god” or say Jesus in all sorts of combinations of swearing. I would like to share a different perspective and would love to hear your thoughts.

Some use the title of Christian to gain monetary advantages, as you see in some televangelists or well known church leaders. Others have been luring young children and sometimes adults into doing things they shouldn’t because of their position in the church and their claim to be Christian. These are extreme cases but not any more a misuse than those who use Christianity for their personal gain. How we act during the week is just as important on how we present ourselves Sunday mornings.

 

How we treat our families reflects who we are in Christ. What we do for the poor and those in need show the world whose we are. Our attitude and sense of justice for the oppressed and those who can’t help themselves. For the hurting and lost. When those around you who see you every day reflect on your character do they say, ‘this is a person who goes to church’ or ‘this is a person whose life reflects Christ’?

 

Today I ask that we work to bring glory to the name we are bestowed as followers of Christ. Let us use it to reach others and fulfil the mission he gave us. Maybe you have been playing around with God. It is time to take a hard look at your relationship and ask yourself are you ready to go all in. Only then can you recognize this in others and work with them to become who God is calling them to be.

 

Dear Jesus, let us not take the namesake we are given lightly. As followers of Christ we are an example to the world and what we do greatly affects how others view you. As your children we bear your name, help us to live a life worthy of this honor. Let them see your love shining through us daily. Help us to see others as you see them and understand that they all matter to you, so they should matter to us. Amen

 

 

 

Day 10: 50 Days All In

To be all in a choice must be made. There is only one God and one way to get spend eternity in heaven. If you compromise and think that there may be other ways to heaven, or that there could be other gods, then you aren’t living all in.

 

“There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.”

Ephesians 4:5-6 NLT

A vast majority of people in this world believe that there are many paths to God. Many believe that there are many gods and that each one is just as important. These gods have been created to counterfeit the one and only true God and distract mankind into believing all sorts of lies. The enemy, Satan is working diligently to ensure that mankind joins his kingdom, unfortunately for those who wish to follow him his path leads to eternal damnation.

Only one spiritual leader in all mankind was confident in his true nature by saying ” I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the father but through me” and ” if you have seen me you have seen the Father. ” Jesus was and is God, the trinity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. So, if we believe that Jesus is who he says he is then what he says must be true, and there can only be one way to God, and all other gods are not really gods.

If that is true what, then are people worshipping and giving their allegiances to? The devil is working hard setting up false gods for man to believe in. Distraction from Jesus is his objective. Keep mankind away from following the one who will forgive them of their sins. I pray today if you know someone who is involved in a church that preaches something other then Jesus forgiveness that you start talking to them about the truth. You are vital in their spiritual health, don’t sit by and watch them fall away.

 

God when asked who he was he answered simply “I AM”. When the ten commandments were given He told us that “we are to have no other gods but Him” and that He is “a jealous God”, but also a merciful God. If we want to live all in, we need to trust the God we serve is the one and only God. We can’t compromise and accept another gods validity.

Jesus, today we ask that you open our eyes to the truth that is all around us. If we are having doubts that you are the only one true God, show us today in your word and world. Let us not have any other gods before us. We want to be all in, ready to reach the lost and love those who need to experience you. Help us to reach our friends, coworkers, neighbors and families. They matter to you and they matter to us. Amen