DEVOTIONS OR DEVOTION?

April 21st, 2008

As you and I walk through the day, let's ask ourselves if we are merely living lives that are conveniently situated with moments of devotion or are our lives living sacrifices unto the Lord that testify to a life full of devotion?

Let's check out what Charles Finney says,

"Devotion is that state of the heart in which everything - our whole life, being, and possessions - are a continual offering to God, that is, they are continually devoted to God. True devotion must be the supreme devotion of the will, extending out to all we have and are - to all times, places, employments, thoughts, and feelings.

For devotion is that state of the will in which the mind is swallowed up in God as the object of its supreme affection - in which we not only live and move in God, but for God. In other words, devotion is that state of mind in which the attention is diverted from self and self-seeking, and is directed to God - the thoughts, purposes, desires, affections, and emotions all hanging upon, and devoted to, Him."

"Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1st Cor. 10:31)

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father... whatever you do, do it heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men. (Col. 3:17,23)

"For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's." (Romans 14:7-8)

Charles Finney (1792-1875) originally published this article in the Oberlin Evangelist in 1839 underthe title "Devotion."  The article in its original form has been reprinted in a book called "The Promise of the Spirit" by Charles Finney, edited and compiled by Timothy L. Smith, and is available from Bethany Fellowship, 6820 Auto Club Road, Minneapolis, MN 55438.

We highly recommend that you obtain a copy for yourselves.

PRAISE

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." (Psalm 100:4)

Today we want to thank God for who He is, and what He has done in and through our lives.  Let's just take a minute and reflect on how faithful God is in the midst of who we are.

-Let's praise Him for the mere fact that our hearts are beating and our lungs are breathing.

-Let's praise Him for His creation:  The mountains, rivers and seas in the midst of the expanse of His creation.  From His billowing seas to His sparkling stars.

-Let's praise Him for His promises:  Salvation, Sanctification, Grace, Mercy, Hope, Peace, and LOVE.

-Let's praise Him for His faithfulness and goodness practically in your life.  He is more faithful than the morning sun.  He always has His best in store for you in the midst of His good will.

-Let's praise Him for His patience with us.

PRAYER

"I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.  Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." (Ephesians 3:14-20)

Today let's spend some time specifically and practically praying for God's will in and through our lives.

-Let's pray for surrendered hearts to His will.

-Let's pray for Humility as we meet with the Lord.

-Let's pray for Dependant hearts.

-Let's pray for the Lord to send out laborers to the lost.  That many will say yes to Him as He calls. (Specifically:  China and India, middle east, Europe, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, and America as we watch it become darker and darker.) Maybe get out a world map and pray for specific countries as the Lord leads.

-Let's pray for the Lord to soften hearts for the purpose of doing life together. (Churches and para-church organizations together fighting the fight as one)

PRAYING FOR TAKE NO GLORY

-Let's pray for unity

-Let's pray for direction

-Let's pray for intimacy with the Lord

-Let's pray for kids (Eden and Elijah)

-Let's pray for marriages (Eric and Mandy; Ian and Johnna; Jeff and Melanie)

-Let's pray for interns (Ben, Chris, Landrew, Conner, Landon)

-Let's pray that we would glorify the Lord with all that we are in Hawaii, Philippines, UK, and Austria from May 14th-August 20th

WHAT’S NEXT FOR tnG:

5.02.08 - Pure Worship Conference

5.03.08 - Pure Worship Conference

5.14.08 - Leave For Musicianary Tour

5.14.08 - Arrive in Honolulu

5.16.08 - Jesus Loves You NORTH SHORE outreach!

FASTING - Isaiah 58:1-12

“Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast.  Shout aloud! Don't be timid.  Tell my people Israel of their sins!  Yet they act so pious!  They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me.  They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God.  They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me.  'We have fasted before you!' they say.  'Why aren't you impressed?  We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don't even notice it!'

"I will tell you why!" I respond.  "It's because you are fasting to please yourselves.  Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers.  What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling?  This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me.  You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind.  You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes.  Is this what you call fasting?  Do you really think this will please the Lord?

"No, this is the kind of fasting I want: free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you.  Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.  Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless.  Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

"Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal.  Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.  Then when you call, the Lord will answer.  'Yes, I am here,' he will quickly reply.

"Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.  Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!  Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble.  Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.  The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength.  You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.  Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.  Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes."

Joyfully serving Jesus,

The Take No Glory Team