Summer always reminds us of
our dedication to God, family, and country. The season is kicked off with
Memorial Day. The middle of summer is sparked with the Fourth of July holiday.
The summer season ends with Labor/Patriot Day. Sprinkled throughout are
reminders of devotion and loyalty. The daily devotional offered a terrific
reminder of what it is to be truly devoted to God and His body of believers on
June 24th: “A believer is devoted to God in love.”
Paul writes, “Whatever we
do, it is certainly not for our own profit, but because Christ’s love controls
(compels) us now.” God is looking for volunteers, not conscripts. Law motivates
conscripts while volunteers are motivated by love. After the attack on Pearl
Harbor, enlistment centers all over America were jammed with boys too young to
fight, men who had retired, and even the blind. One elderly man said to a
recruitment officer, “I’d consider it my greatest privilege to die defending
this country.”
Why do men and women do
this? Duty? Yes, but something even greater emerges – devotion! Their hearts
have been captured by a cause. Facing the loss of his freedom, his family, his
ministry, and possibly his life, Martin Luther told the ecclesiastical powers
of his day, “I will not recant. My conscience is captive to the Word of God!”
No one should ever have to
beg and pressure you to teach a Sunday School class, work with young people,
give to the cause of Christ, visit the sick, lonely and needy, or serve others.
You should be begging for the opportunity. Paul said, “What things were gain to
me, those I counted loss for Christ … for whom I have suffered the loss of all
things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” (Philippians
3:7-8).
The long obedience in the
same direction is a commitment to Jesus. Commitment to Christ is like signing
your name on a blank check and saying, “Lord,
You fill in the amount.” You’re not doing God a favor by serving Him; He’s
honoring you by allowing you to serve and respond to Him. Our response to Jesus
truly defines our long obedience in the same direction.
As believers, we are
on a long obedience in the same direction. Please know that Karen and I pray
for you everyday. I also want to wish you the happiest of summers. I encourage
you to intentionally make memories that will last through eternity by loving on
each other.You know I love ya, Don
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