Prayer: Father, it is great to know that if I will obey and listen to You, that You have my back. However, I must be committed to You. Help me to fully commit my ways and plans to You. Amen.
Reading: Proverbs 16 key: vs. 3-4
3 Commit whatever you do to Adonai,
and your plans will succeed.
4 Adonai works everything out for his own purpose—
even the wicked for a day of disaster.
Attention: I do not know about you, but when I need some encouragement, I read the Psalms or Proverbs, the wisdom literature. Today is one of those days! I am writing this journal entry on Memorial Day. For me this is a day of reflection. So, not a celebration for me, but a time to contemplate the cost.
It feels like today’s key passage is the foundation for a scripture which those who are veterans in the faith have memorized and quoted many times over the course of their lives. If you already know the scripture I am referencing, go ahead and quote it. It goes like this, “All things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28b).”
If you are born again by Christ’s Spirit, you can confidently quote Romans 8:28 because the words proceeding the quoted passage begin, “Now we know that…” We can walk with confidence because we “know” that “all things work together for those who love God” totally with all their heart. I have written about the observation of the word “all” before. How much is all? It is a heart that is completely His.
The apostle John (21:15-17) records a conversation where Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me more than these?” John does not define the who or what of “these.” Whether it is the other apostles or fishing, or the fish they just ate, we can be assured, that Jesus is asking him, do you love me more than anything? His reply, “You know that I love You.” Jesus’ reply, ‘Feed My lambs.’ Jesus asked him three times, “Do you love Me?” John records that “Peter was grieved because He said to him for a third time, “Do you love Me?” Peter’s response, “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You.”
Even though the recorded conversation is between Jesus and Peter, it is as though we are Peter. Can you place yourself in front of Jesus and He is asking you, “Do you love Me?” Can you visualize your response? Would you become “grieved” if He asked you three times? What will it take for Jesus to capture your whole heart? Does He have your whole heart? If so, have you told Him?
Action: I will tell Jesus that He has my whole heart today and every day.
Yield: I am yielded when I give Him my whole heart and hold nothing back!
Engage: I am engaged with the Holy Spirit when I give Him my heart.
Relationship: I can only have relationship with God when He has my whole heart.
Prayer: Father, please help me surrender my heart to You. May You be the Lord of all my heart! Amen.
Memory Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in Adonai with all your heart,
lean not on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.
Music Video: https://youtu.be/FHMjhz8aHTw
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”