Meet Jesus : Committed

commitmentMatthew 5: 31 “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

 On first read, these verses look like they are about marital breakup.  Yes, they are.  And they are about more than that.  They are about commitment.  Connecting with Jesus is about connecting with commitment.  This is the man, who sought out Peter after being horribly betrayed.  This is the God, who found over 500 after going through a beating and violent death with less than five at the bottom of the cross.    This is the friend, who will never leave us or forsake us.

What challenge does that give us in relationships?

 ACT!  Take time to invest in a relationship.  Build instead of break.  Boost instead of loose.

PRAY!  Father, my hope is in You.  Always, we are challenged to keep active our relationships.  Teach us to manage the few You give to us.  You manage millions of relationships.  Teach us to stay faithful as You stay faithful.. Thank You for being the One that is faithful even when we are not.  We need that.

Engaging War

meetjesus4Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching concerning this with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 The world needs more true praying to save it from the reign and ruin of Satan. — E.M. Bounds 

The saints are those covenanted in Christ for salvation and kingdom. Paul had just described a torrid battle of wills and wonders with the power of the enemy. Now, he calls on us engage our weapons and armor of salvation, faith, righteousness, truth, the gospel of peace, and the word of God with intense prayer.

Stand your ground. Advance on the enemy. Cover with prayer.

This Christian walk is not meant to be a cake walk. It is war. It is intense. There are victories and there are losses. Our approach and our walk of character and obedience have great influence on the outcome coupled with God’s intervention.

Success is not financial. Success is not things. Success is love, hope, and faith. Success is permanence of blessing in another life. Success is the progress of the saints.

Prayer: Father, there is tremendous blessing in our walk with You. There is also tremendous resistance from the enemy to right advancement of the kingdom. Teach us to pursue the right advancement and not just advancement. Teach us to work on behalf of others. Guide us to guide others into the kingdom, help them grow in the kingdom, and assist them to stay in the kingdom. This is our charter, our charge, our commission in Christ.