Based on “Christ, Our Example” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 8/7-8/10,
Message #6058; Daily Devotional #1 - “Commitment to Action”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Something interesting happens to children as they grow; they pick up traits of their parents. Mom may say to her son, “You are so much like your father.” Dad may say to his daughter, “You are so much like your mother.” And it really hits home when children become adults and say, “Oh no, I am becoming my mother (or father).” We obviously learn about life from watching our parents do life. We learn their ways, but some of it is genetic too. When we become a member of God’s family, we receive the Holy Spirit (our new genetic make-up), and we now have His Spirit to empower us to live Godly lives. We become equipped to live life God’s way. God designed us to be able to become like His Son, Jesus. It is God’s plan for us. “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters,” (Romans 9:29, NLT) Therefore, if we are to be like Jesus, we need to spend time getting to know and understand who He is and what He came to teach us.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Jesus came to teach us how to serve God. We do this by following His example. My son just returned home from his second long deployment. He, along with thousands who served before him and those who served our country with him, was willing to lay down his life for his country. Some of those serving with him and many who served before him did just that—they died in service to a country they loved and faithfully and obediently served (2 Timothy 2:4). If our military can put their lives on the line for a country they love, by being committed to action, how much more should Christ followers be willing to live dangerously for God? Military leaders are to set an example in combat for their troops to follow for the good of all, and we must follow Christ’s attitude of servitude for the world to see and understand what serving God is all about. Simply put, that means reaching out of our comfort zone to be of value in service to the Kingdom of God.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Our red bracelets say, “Follow Christ – Live dangerously” which can’t be done when we always think someone else will do it. We think someone else will meet that need of service, or we are too busy with our lives to stop and commit to doing something in the body of Christ that requires our time, our resources, and our energy. God is loving and merciful. More than that, He is very patient with us, but if He is speaking to your heart today to step out and commit to serving Him in some area of need in the church, or anywhere He would send you, don’t be a soldier who has gone AWOL (absent without leave). Show up and be ready to serve the body of Christ, that you may be greatly blessed and please the Lord, who showed up for the cross and gave His all for you and me. If every Christ follower reported for duty, no matter the cost, the world would see Jesus more clearly, and the greatest blessings would be ours (Galatians 6:8-10). If your commitment is to be like Jesus, there will be a cost you must be willing to pay (Luke 14:28). And for those of us who have been taught the Word, preparing to step out of our comfort zones, get ready! It is time for us to be outfitted and sent into action! Loving God + Loving People = Serving!
Cultivate (Additional Reading): Psalm 135:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:14-17
bam
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.
New Living Translation = NLT.