WE DO THIS TOGETHER

They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. Acts 1:14 (NLT)

The believers in the early church were united in purpose and prayer. Literally the word “united” means they were “all of one mind”.  They were all in agreement.  The word “united” actually has a deeper meaning. It means not just of “one mind.”  The deeper meaning is to be “joined by a bond stronger than death.” 

That’s the way I see the fellowship of a church.  We are joined by a purpose stronger than death.  We push forward with the purpose God has given us.  We move in the same direction, with the same purpose of connecting people with God, growing spiritually, and serving people, united in what God has called us to do such that only death will separate us from one another. 

I’m all in.  I hope you are.  We do this “together.”

HAVE A HEART

God says, “If only they would always honor me and obey all my commands, so that everything would go well with them and their descendants forever” (Deuteronomy 5:29 GNT).

The Apostle John said, “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands” (1 John 2:3), and “Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6 NLT).

God wants us to revere and respect Him.  He wants us to obey Him.  When we don’t we hurt ourselves.  Run a red light and you’ll get a ticket, or worse have an accident and be physically hurt. 

God’s rules and commands are for our benefit.  They’re for our good, to prevent us from hurting ourselves or penalizing ourselves.  When God tells us to obey His commands, He doesn’t mean that we must perform for Him with a 4.0 grade average to be loved by Him.  He’s saying that we must learn to be obedient to His commands.  Go all out in doing what He says, but realize that your salvation is not based on your performance.  Obeying God is loving Him.  Obeying God is trusting Him.

The Amplified translation of Deuteronomy 5:29 puts it this way: “Oh, that they had such a [mind and] heart in them …”  Cultivate a heart that reveres and respects God and what He says.  Have a heart for His ways and His instruction.

Influence your mind to influence your feelings to influence your will to influence your actions.

GIVING YOURSELF, GAINING HAPPINESS

David said, “Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you” (Psalm 86:4 NLT).

In this psalm as David prays to God he expresses steadfast truths about God’s faithfulness, truth, love, and personal involvement in our lives.  God responds to our trust in Him, and giving ourselves to Him is what trust is all about.  It’s about being “all in” for God and what He says.

To give yourself to God give Him:

1.  YOUR ATTENTION

Save me, for I serve you and trust you.  You are my God. v. 2 (NLT)

2.  YOUR TRUST

I put my trust in you. v. 4

3.  PRAISE

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you… you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. vs. 5, 10

4.  YOUR MIND

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! v. 11a

5.  YOUR WILL

Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. v. 11b

6.  YOUR EMOTIONS

With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. v. 12a (NLT)

7.  YOUR ACTIONS

I will glorify your name forever. v. 12b

8.  CONTROL

Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you… v. 16

Give yourself to the Lord and He will be gracious to you and fulfill His promises in your life.