Live Your Life Devoted to God

Fresh Manna© by Pastor Tim Burt
http://readfreshmanna.blogspot.com/

Eph. 5:15-16 “Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord? Have you prayed personally to Him asking Him into your heart committing your life to Him? If you have you can call yourself blessed. If you have you can know that you have been granted by the sincerity of this choice, an open door to the secrets of Heaven – being taught of God’s love for you, His purpose for your life and His plan for all mankind, and His active and miraculous participation in your life daily as you seek Him. An open door lays before you today to fellowship with the God of this Universe, the one and only and Almighty God – your Heavenly Father through His Holy Spirit that has come to indwell with you.

Not everyone walks out their destiny in God in the same manner but we should all be devout in our pursuit of God. We should all seek God through prayer and His Word and having great faith that He will order our steps. Jeremiah 10:23 tells us, “I know, Lord, that a person’s life is not his own. No one is able to plan his own course.” We should plan out our days and our life the best we can ascertain but, Proverbs 16:9 makes it clear, that we will still fall far short unless we have a revelation that God alone is the one that can lead us down His path for our lives. “Proverbs 16:9 “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Again that means that we have to seek Him through prayer and the study of His Word and then learn to listen to the promptings and leadings of the Holy Spirit.

As we do this we will realize that every person’s destiny in God will be different in what He has given us to do. What should not be different for us is the sincere and devout pursuit of God in our lives. Why? Because it is in being devout that the secrets of Heaven and God’s heart are revealed to ours. It isn’t that God won’t reveal His love and secrets to all. It’s just that they are only discovered through the pursuit of an intimate relationship and commitment to Him. It is much like the commitment of a great marriage. Most everyone wants one. Far too few have them. Why? Because of the level of commitment and love dedicated to having one from both parties.

In our relationship with God, we know He will be faithful. 2 Thes. 3:3 says, “But the Lord is faithful… He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” The Lord is faithful. It is His character. He can be nothing less. So in our relationship with God, He is not the problem. If there is a problem, we are the problem. If we will commit ourselves to Him as He has proven Himself faithful through Jesus Christ to us, we will have a supernatural life. So, what am I saying? We need to be devoted to Him.

Today’s Fresh Manna verse says, “Be very careful then how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” The Greek words that make up this verse imply that you be careful in what you are doing and what you participate or give yourself over to. Evaluate it in light of God’s Word. Check yourself often. Would your thoughts, would your words, and would your actions presently glorify God? Would they help lead others to Jesus? Would they cause others to see you as someone special? (Because they see Jesus in you.) This verse is saying that you are living in an evil world that will try to suck you in. You are to be careful not only to NOT be sucked in but to be something and someone different – one who lives for and represents God, not the ways of this world. This is living a devoted life.

Not only does God reveal secrets of His love and secrets of the supernatural life when you are devoted to Him, but He uses you. God uses the devoted in significant ways. Simeon was a devoted man that God revealed secrets to and gave Him great purpose. God revealed to Simeon that he would see the Messiah before he died and assigned Simeon to be one that would pray for the coming of the Messiah. Luke 2:25-30 says, “Now there was a man named Simeon who lived in Jerusalem. He was a righteous man and very devout. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he eagerly expected the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,”Lord, now I can die in peace! As you promised me, I have seen the Savior…”

Ananias was a devout man that God used to help heal and launch the ministry of another devout man, the Apostle Paul. After God spoke to Paul to tell him to follow Him, He sent Paul to Ananias. Acts 22:12 “A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there.”

Cornelius was a gentile man that did not know God but wanted to with all His heart. He prayed seeking God and giving alms to the poor and helping the Jews. He was absolutely devout in His pursuit of God. Acts 10:2 “He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.” God had an angel visit Peter and send him to Cornelius and his family. They became great believers and saints for God.

God tells us to be careful because we have an enemy that wants to seduce and destroy us. What is the answer to our protection? Be devout!

His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt
http://readfreshmanna.blogspot.com/