GO “ALL IN”
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
James 1:6-8 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Previously, James told us that when we are in difficult times of life, we should ask God for wisdom. Now he instructs us on how we are to ask.
James understands our human nature. Many believers are like waves of the sea, up one minute and down the next. They are “unstable in everything they do.” They are divided between loving God and loving the world.
I believe we live in a society that struggles with going “all in” on anything. We are afraid that we will miss out on something else that is fun or exciting if we fully commit to the Lordship of Jesus in every area of our lives. For many it seems okay to serve God on Sunday morning even if we party in the clubs on Saturday night. We can sing worship in God’s house on Sunday while living in a relationship that is in total contradiction to God’s Word.
James says the only way to get our prayers answered is to go “all in.” To stop the roller coaster of in and out of a relationship with God and commit to serve God in every area of our lives.
This doesn’t mean we have to be perfect to get our prayers answered. That is impossible on this side of eternity. But there is a matter of the heart. Has our heart decided to serve Jesus as Lord of our lives? Are we striving to know Him better and become more like Jesus? Are we responsive to confess and repent when sin becomes known in our lives?
When we make up our minds that we want to fully follow Jesus we are opening the door to answered prayers in our lives.
Just think about it a moment. Why would God answer our prayers for wisdom and direction if we aren’t going to do what He tells us to do? Why would God answer our prayers for financial blessing if we are going to spend the money on selfish and sinful activity?
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit show me any part of my life that I have not fully committed to You. Forgive me for my wavering. Empower me to fully follow You in every part of my life.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”